The McKinley Park neighborhood's South Shore Hispanic Seventh-Day Adventist Church celebrated National Bible Week with a days-long scripture reading marathon at the church, 3619 S. Leavitt St., Chicago.
“This marathon is more than an event," said Pastor Eduardo Mack. "It’s a declaration of faith, an act of unity, and a reminder that God’s word still speaks to every heart.”
The marathon reading began after an early-morning service on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, then proceeding non-stop until Saturday night, November 22, covering the Bible chapters of Genesis through Revelation.
Keep Up the Pace
South Shore HIspanic Seventh-Day Adventist parishioner Maria López reads a passage from scripture at the Bible reading marathon.Church parishioners took turns reading Bible passages, joined by community leaders like 12th Ward Alderwoman Julia Ramirez, who helped kick off the marathon, Mack said.
Mack and his associates at South Shore estimated it would take between 84 and 90 hours to conduct the marathon and were tracking time to "keep up the pace."
National Bible Week
National Bible Week, inaugurated in 1941 by President Franklin Roosevelt, is the inspiration for the marathon, Mack said. “Even amid chaos, unrest, distress and multiple challenges, the Bible remains our steadfast foundation."
Mack described his church as a focal point for the local Seventh-Day Adventist community, which counts 22 million members internationally. South Shore Hispanic Seventh-Day Adventist originated in East Chicago, Indiana, about 30 years ago.
No Language Barrier
Although the Bible reading and many church services take place in Spanish, "language is not a barrier," Mack said. "We are open to everybody."
Worship services at South Shore Hispanic Seventh-Day Adventist Church take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday.
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