Pastor’s 96-Hour Sermon Breaks Unofficial Record

A Baptist pastor in Mississippi delivered a marathon sermon lasting 96 hours, reportedly breaking an unofficial world record. Pastor Matt Olson of the First Baptist Church of Sharon preached from Genesis to Revelation, following Guinness World Record guidelines. He took five-minute breaks each hour, or saved them to take longer breaks for showers and naps.

Olson’s sermon broke the record for individual marathon speaking, previously set by Ananta Ram KC of Nepal at 90 hours and 2 minutes. Olson remarked that the experience demonstrated Scripture’s power, saying, “The Word of God is truth… and it’s sufficient. It sustained me for 96 hours when, physically, I should not have continued.”

Inspired by a challenging 10-day missionary training without access to a Bible, Olson felt compelled to preach for the same duration. He found support from church leaders, who organized teams to manage logistics and provide round-the-clock prayer and medical assistance.

Though adherent to Guinness guidelines, Olson and his church chose not to seek official verification. Olson explained the financial burden of official adjudication, which costs $16,500, would be better allocated to mission work. Olson emphasized that the event was about sharing the gospel, not setting records.

“This has never been about a world record,” he stated. “It was about proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ because it saves.” He concluded, “Jesus is Lord. He is worthy of every sentence I preached, every sacrifice made, and every step of obedience.”