Bahrain Sharon Church Creates a Handwritten New Testament

Bahrain Sharon Church has garnered attention for its unique project: the creation of a handwritten manuscript of the New Testament.

Eighty-seven individuals participated in this distinctive initiative, which coincided with the church’s 40th-anniversary celebrations.

The New Testament—comprising 27 books, 260 chapters, and 7,958 verses (from the Gospel of Matthew to the Book of Revelation)—was divided into sections, and each participant hand-copied their assigned portion.

The project was completed over a span of 120 days, from May 2026 to August 31, 2026.

For this purpose, 2,500 sheets of A4 paper were specially printed, each formatted with 24 lines. The final handwritten manuscript spans 1,163 pages.

Many participants dedicated their limited spare time—often after working full days amidst the demanding pace of life as expatriates—to this task. In the process, several individuals had to rewrite portions multiple times to ensure accuracy.

With church members themselves taking charge of the book’s design, binding, and the creation of its cover, this unique, handwritten New Testament has become a reality. This volume, weighing 7.9 kilograms, stands 16 centimeters tall.

The manuscript was unveiled during a thanksgiving service held on October 15th—the church’s anniversary. The Bible was presented by the children who participated in this project: 11-year-old Ivana Boaz, 12-year-old Jesiel Jose Thomas, and 13-year-old Shawn Saiju Daniel.

Pastor P. C. Chandy, a founding member and former senior minister of the church, attended the ceremony as a guest.

Revelation 1:3 states:

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

This verse—which highlights the glory of God’s Word and the importance of embodying it in one’s life—brings great joy and spiritual fulfillment to the believers who prepared this manuscript.

Through the union of faith, fellowship, and dedication, this initiative by the Bahrain Sharon Church stands as a unique testimony to a profound love for the Bible.