1 EXCLUSIVE 18 JUNE 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition The empty chair She sat in the chair alone and wept. Before Jesus ascended to be with the Father, he commissioned the disciples, and by extension, all of us, with a command. The Lord’s instruction begins with one simple word, “Go.” It was the day after “America Reads the Bible.” What remains is the question, “What do we, the faithful saints, do now that the Word of God has been proclaimed to all the nation?” America Reads the Bible “America Reads the Bible” (ARTB) was a national Scripture-reading event and movement led by Christians Engaged, a nonprofit organization committed to discipling Americans in a biblical worldview and in their responsibilities as citizens to pray, vote and engage for the well-being of our nation. The visionary behind this incredible event was one faithful saint named Bunni Pounds, the founder and president of Christians Engaged. Bunni stepped out in faith, imploring all Americans to re-engage with God’s divinely inspired Word in a meaningful and impactful way. The historic event took place at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC. For seven days, April 19-25, approximately 500 people from all across our beloved land joined their voices in a chorus to read the Bible aloud. Those reading Scripture included people from the highest levels of government to regular Americans. ARTB was part of a spiritual celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday. Among those sharing in the work of reading the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, were prominent figures representing a broad cross-section of the American Christian community including Candace CameronBure, Ambassador Sam Brownback, Dr. Ben Carson, Governor Ron DeSantis, Colton Dixon, Congressman Brandon Gill, Patricia Heaton, Secretary Pete Hegseth, Ambassador Mike Huckabee, Dallas Jenkins, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Dr. Alveda King, Secretary Marco Rubio, President Donald J. Trump, Nick Vujicic and Franklin Graham, as well as faith leaders, renowned authors, pastors, business owners, and people old and young. But in this context, all were equal. In the greenroom backstage, societal status was overshadowed by a shared understanding that we are all members of the Body of Christ. Before taking the stage, readers carefully studied their Scripture passages. Each knew the responsibility they held in their hands. They were preparing to read the inspired Word of God, and each reader, from the military colonel to the rural housewife, was determined to honor these words given to us by the Father. I had the high honor of serving as the lead photographer for the event. Together with my incredible team, we captured the moments live on stage and behind the scenes. The primary audience watched the event livestream as it was produced by Great American Pure Flix. Those of us on the event team were encouraged to see the overwhelming social media engagement throughout the week. The virtual audience posted thousands of comments expressing joy and gratitude, and sharing in their comments favorite Bible passages as they heard them read from the stage in DC. Backstage, I met and engaged with brothers and sisters in Christ. It is always encouraging to be among fellow believers. But in the shadow of an increasing spiritual battle waging in our nation, and with our 250th birthday upon us, I was impacted to see so many of our nation’s leaders, from the highest levels of our government, yielding this moment to glorify God and His divine Word. I met Colonel Kevin Bouren, who serves at the Pentagon. Colonel Bouren states on his LinkedIn profile, “I am a Soldier in the Lord’s Army and the U.S. Army.” I watched Colonel Bouren praying over others in the greenroom and counseling a young, newly married couple on the beautiful model of biblical marriage. Colonel Bouren invited me to contact him the next time I am in DC. He told me I could sit in on the Bible study that he leads at the Pentagon! And I listened as Speaker Johnson shared his incredible testimony of coming to faith as a young man and why his faith in Jesus means so much to him. Praying for revival It was on the first day of the reading, barely through the book of Genesis, that we witnessed something in the audience that surprised us. And yet, it should not have. One of the team members bolted into the greenroom and reported, “People are sitting in the audience with their Bibles, reading along with the people on stage!” In hindsight, the idea that people would bring their Bibles to the live reading should have seemed obvious. And yet, that was the moment when we fully realized just how much this event meant to the faithful remnant of Christians eager for revival in our nation. This was not a publicity stunt. This was real. God’s Word will change the heart of a nation that yields to His sovereignty. And those people in the audience were not only reading along, they were praying for revival. More evidence of the authenticity of this event and the sincere heart behind it was in another small group of ladies sitting in the audience. They were part of the event team. Throughout the entire week, in seats along the side wall of the house, sat a quiet band of faithful saints with their Bibles. They were tasked with reading along with the people on stage to ensure that every verse was read – not a single word could be missed. But there was one moment that impacted me most. It was Tuesday evening. From the Oval Office of the White House, the President of the United States read f i A d s B l v wr c H Bt h s f Candace Cameron-Bure reading Scripture The empty chair where the woman sat Todd Scoggins Exclusive to the GOOD NEWS Photo Credit: Todd Scoggins Photo Credit: Todd Scoggins America Reads The Bible April 19 - 25, 2026
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