A Baptist pastor in Mississippi, Pastor Matt Olson, reportedly delivered a 96-hour sermon, aiming to recite the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. His church announced he broke an unofficial world record for marathon preaching.
Pastor Olson, who leads the First Baptist Church of Sharon, adhered to Guinness World Record guidelines. He took five-minute breaks every hour or saved time for longer breaks for showers and brief naps. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 90 hours and 2 minutes set by Ananta Ram KC of Nepal.
“The Word of God is truth… and it’s sufficient,” Olson stated. “It sustained me for 96 hours when, physically, I shouldn’t have continued.”
The pastor’s motivation stemmed from a challenging 10-day missionary training experience, where he spent 96 hours in the woods without his Bible. This spurred his realization of his incomplete mastery of Scripture, leading him to preach for four consecutive days.
Despite skepticism from church leaders, the congregation supported Olson’s endeavor. They organized a rotating team of medical professionals to monitor his health, a technical crew to document the event, and prayer teams. Church members maintained constant prayer and logistical support throughout the four-day sermon.
The marathon sermon was broadcast live on the church’s website, and videos remain archived. However, the church opted not to submit for official Guinness verification. Olson explained the decision, citing concerns over the $16,500 cost for official adjudication, suggesting the funds would be better used for mission work.
“We’re called to be good stewards of what God has given us,” Olson explained, emphasizing the focus should remain on preaching the gospel rather than achieving a record.
Olson concluded with a focus on faith, stating, “Jesus is Lord. He is worthy of every sentence I preached, every sacrifice made, and every step of obedience since.”