1999 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses
Source: jw.org
Contents
Title Page/Publishers’ Page
Contents
A Letter From the Governing Body
Highlights of the Past Year
Worldwide Report: 1998 Grand Totals
Worldwide Report
Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times
Germany
Malawi
Uruguay
Title Page/Publishers’ Page
Title Page/Publishers’ Page
1999 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Containing Report for the Service Year of 1998
“Look! Now is the day of salvation.”—2 Corinthians 6:2.
This is our yeartext for 1999. It highlights the grand opportunity now open to humankind. It also implies the need for prompt action. As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we have the privilege of helping people to see the opportunity and to take the needed action quickly.
[Picture Credit Line on page 2]
Picture credits: Pages 79 and 191: Mountain High Maps ® Copyright © 1997 Digital Wisdom, Inc.
Contents
Contents
3 A Letter From the Governing Body
6 Highlights of the Past Year
31 Worldwide Report: 1998 Grand Totals
Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times:
67 Germany
149 Malawi
225 Uruguay
A Letter From the Governing Body
A Letter From the Governing Body
AS RECORDED at 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the apostle Paul exhorted: “In connection with everything give thanks.” During this past service year, there were bountiful provisions from Jehovah’s generous hand for which all of us have reason to give thanks. True to his promise, Jehovah opened up ‘the floodgates of the heavens and emptied out upon us abundant blessings’ that repeatedly made tears of joy and gratitude well up in us.—Mal. 3:10; Ps. 33:1.
As reflected in the 1998 Service Year Report of Jehovah’s Witnesses Worldwide, on pages 32 to 39, what a thunderous shout of triumph was heard throughout the earth! A new peak of 5,888,650 publishers joined their voices in praising Jehovah. (Ps. 66:1, 8) This included the 316,092 new ones who were baptized. The prospect that millions more may yet call upon Jehovah’s name is indicated by the 13,896,312 who attended the Memorial. We give thanks to Jehovah for this ingathering.—Ps. 30:4.
Early in the service year, publishers worldwide found delight in distributing Kingdom News No. 35. Faithfully and zealously supporting the campaign, they enjoyed fine experiences and many blessings. (Prov. 10:22; 28:20) Shortly thereafter, elders and ministerial servants benefited from the Kingdom Ministry School. They were thoroughly refreshed, and they highly valued the training. Shepherding, teaching, evangelizing, and working together in unity were emphasized. Letters reflecting gratitude to Jehovah recounted how much this training meant to them.
In May, district and international conventions began to be held. Delegates from 160 lands attended the nine international gatherings in North America. Graduates of Gilead and the Ministerial Training School, international servants, Bethelites in foreign service, as well as others with missionary status attended and were featured on the program. Many of them expressed their appreciation for the generous contributions that made it possible for them to attend a convention in their homeland.
Thousands of visiting delegates from around the globe were accommodated in the homes of their Christian brothers and shared in their family life. This served to deepen the intense love that unifies the worldwide brotherhood of Jehovah’s people. (1 Pet. 4:8; 5:9) Love and hospitality abounded to an extent never before experienced in connection with international conventions. Letters described moving scenes as hosts, with tears of joy and lumps in their throats, were introduced to their visiting guests, who responded with similar emotions. One host wrote: “Thank you for the most wonderful experience of our lives.” And a delegate from South Africa wrote: “The welcome that we received . . . was an experience that we shall never forget. . . . It will always enrich our appreciation for the worldwide brotherhood—a wonderful gift from our heavenly Father, Jehovah.”
Delegates to conventions in Britain, Germany, and Greece were imbued with the same spirit. These were enthused by the convention program, association with Witnesses from other lands, and a tour of the Society’s branch facilities. Many sent letters of appreciation and thanks for what they had experienced.
The conventions gave a tremendous witness. The public recognized that there was something significant behind the theme “God’s Way of Life,” as highlighted on the program cover and also as advertised on the lapel cards worn by our brothers.
The resolution presented at conventions this year expressed our determination to pursue this way of life henceforth and to give full expression to it in all we do—in our private lives, within the family circle, as part of the Christian congregation, and as a worldwide association of brothers.—Titus 2:11, 12; 1 Pet. 2:17.
Our having resolved to pursue this way places us in a very favorable situation. There is no question about the striking contrast between the spiritual condition of God’s people today and that of apostates and others who profess to know and worship God but who disown him by their works. (Titus 1:16) The inspired words found at Isaiah 65:13, 14, alert us to this difference: “Look! My own servants will eat, . . . drink, . . . rejoice, . . . cry out joyfully because of the good condition of the heart, but you [apostates] will make outcries because of the pain of heart and you will howl because of sheer breakdown of spirit.” What a heritage we have! May we be ever thankful for all that Jehovah is doing for his own people at this time.
Some of our fellow servants have undergone considerable suffering because of economic hardship, persecution, terrorism, and wars. Quite a number have been victims of disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions. But their hope has not diminished. Jehovah has sustained them in all their tribulation, so that they exult in his ways and are able to remain in an approved condition before him.—Rom. 5:3-5.
Despite experiencing difficulties in these trying times, we are a blessed and happy people. (Ps. 3:8; 144:15b) As we look to the future, our desire is to help many more to benefit from Jehovah’s way of life even as we have. There is still time for them even in their busy lives to learn Jehovah’s way and benefit from his patience, as our 1999 yeartext, at 2 Corinthians 6:2, indicates: “Look! Now is the day of salvation.” Yes, now is the time to act! May we be thankful for the privilege of making this known to all who will hear.
Unitedly with you we joyfully pursue God’s way of life.
Your fellow servants,
Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Highlights of the Past Year
Highlights of the Past Year
Outstanding among the exciting events of the past year were the “God’s Way of Life” International Conventions. These gave tangible evidence that worshipers of Jehovah have truly become “a great crowd . . . out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues” whom Jehovah is preparing for life in his new world. (Rev. 7:9, 10) After attending one of these conventions, a Witness from Guadeloupe said that now, for the first time, he could truly ‘appreciate in his heart’ the reality of it.
Never before have we had so many international conventioners on the move. Tens of thousands of delegates traveled to other countries, even to other continents, to attend conventions. As they did so, the fact that they are truly part of an international family was abundantly evident.
From the end of May through August, “God’s Way of Life” International Conventions were held in various cities in the United States, Canada, and Britain, followed by more in Germany and Greece. Members of the Governing Body spoke at each of these conventions, often doing so through interpreters. Simultaneously, hundreds of district conventions were held throughout North America and Europe.
When the first of the international conventions opened in San Diego, California, on May 22, the conventioners were pleased to have in their midst 45 missionaries from 14 countries. Two weeks later, Spanish-speaking Witnesses met in the same stadium. Of the 25,181 at this convention, well over 3,100 were delegates from abroad. As speakers from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Spain, and Uruguay shared in the program, the audience had to adjust to the distinctive accents. What a happy and enthusiastic audience they were!
The following week, in Pontiac, Michigan, the size of the convention audience increased to 42,763, and the number of countries represented mushroomed to at least 44. Delegations of more than 300 each were on hand from Britain, the Czech Republic, and South Africa. The conventioners had come from 14 countries in Europe, 8 in Africa, 20 in the Americas, and 2 in Asia. In some instances whole families, even entire congregations, assisted with expenses so that at least one from their midst could attend. The presence of so many delegates from other lands seemed to electrify the audience. And the talks given by members of the Governing Body—Brothers Schroeder, Barr, and Sydlik—deeply touched their hearts. What took place was, as one Witness said, ‘something that they would recount to future generations and probably to past generations too as they are resurrected!’—Compare Psalm 48:1, 12-14.
While the convention in Pontiac was in session, four others were being held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. These were in French, Portuguese, Greek, and Arabic. The brothers were deeply moved by what was done by members of the Governing Body, some of whom are well up in years, to serve them all. The attendance reached 33,242, with 4,071 delegates from other lands. Large numbers had come from France and Brazil; many from Belgium, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. Thirteen African countries were represented. Among the delegates was a longtime pioneer from Mali, West Africa, who was there because of the kindness of a businesswoman to whom she regularly delivers magazines. Said a Brazilian couple who had sold their car to finance their trip: “It was the best investment we ever made.”
The next two weekends in June, two more conventions were held in Vancouver, on Canada’s west coast. Combined attendance was 22,273, with numerous delegates from places as far apart as Southeast Asia and Northern Europe. Simultaneously with the last convention in Vancouver, another was being held in Toronto, Ontario. Besides the Canadians, delegates had come from Germany, Poland, Finland, Austria, and many more lands in Europe and Africa. The attendance reached 41,381. All together, at the Canadian conventions, delegates were on hand from 52 foreign lands—truly an international throng!
Back in the United States, from July 3 to 5, seven simultaneous conventions were held near the Pacific waterfront in Long Beach, California. These were in Chinese (both Cantonese and Mandarin), English, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese—all held in various facilities at the extensive Long Beach Convention Center. Attendances ranged from 552 for the Vietnamese to 12,659 for the English. Large delegations from the Orient and Italy enjoyed fellowship with those who had come from the Americas, Eastern Europe, and Africa. Among them were some who had put forth extraordinary effort to be present. Between sessions, delegates in their native garb moved about from one language group to another, shaking hands, hugging one another, exchanging addresses, and taking pictures. A brother who was involved in the convention arrangements there wrote: “All conventions are good; they all have a ripple effect that is felt for months afterward. This convention was more like a tsunami. It was powerful, and it had an enormous impact on the hearts of the delegates.”
The multiconvention weekend at Long Beach was followed by another Spanish convention—this one in Houston, Texas. The attendance of 34,257 included 2,820 delegates from 14 foreign lands, who were accommodated in 1,217 homes where local Witnesses hospitably opened their hearts to these visitors.
One of the most profound impressions on the delegates was the warm reception they received—the brotherly love showered on them by fellow Christians whom they had never met before. They had read about the international brotherhood. They knew that Jehovah teaches his people to show such love. (Heb. 13:1, 2; 3 John 5-8) But now they were personally experiencing it in ways that they never had before. At the airports, delegates were given an enthusiastic welcome by brothers and sisters, young and elderly. Arrangements had also been made for delegates from other lands to be housed with Witness hosts. What a blessing this proved to be!
In Texas, hundreds of busloads of delegates from abroad were taken to the Rosenberg Assembly Hall to meet their hosts. There, a throng of some 500 Witnesses cheered and applauded as the delegates arrived. At Belleville, Michigan, at all hours of the day and night, hundreds of Witnesses were on hand to welcome busloads of weary delegates. As the delegates entered the Assembly Hall, they were welcomed by many voices singing “Myriads of Brothers” and “We Are Jehovah’s Witnesses!” At the Mira Loma Assembly Hall in California, many were bilingual, so in English and Spanish, they sang alternate verses of “We Thank You, Jehovah.” It was a beautiful sight, and it was hard to find dry faces because of the tears of joy!
In Michigan, twice as many accommodations were offered by the Witnesses as were needed. Many phoned to beg for the privilege of caring for some of the visiting brothers. Those who were not able to house delegates helped with food and transportation. Some delegates found that besides welcoming them into their homes, their hosts were giving them their own beds while the hosts slept on the floor. In the evenings and after the conventions, groups of Witness families, even whole congregations, got together for a meal or a picnic with the delegates. They sang, took part in folk dances, and related experiences. It was truly a fiesta! Though many delegates could not speak the language of the host family—or could speak only a few words at most—they found ways to communicate. When it came time for them to part, it was more than difference of language that made communication difficult. They were choked with emotion. A foundation had been laid for lifelong friendships.
The visiting delegates were not the only ones who benefited from the homestay arrangement. A couple in Canada who opened their home to delegates wrote: “We all wondered what it would be like to have people that we didn’t know stay with us for a whole week. We found out that it wasn’t long enough!” A single parent wrote: “I had the grand privilege of hosting a couple from France, and for my children and myself, it was most enriching. I can only say that it was a wonderful, delightful, and unforgettable experience.” Another family, who had a guest from Togo, wrote: “We cannot describe the joy and the love that we shared . . . What a treasure! Jehovah gave us all we could wish for.”
For delegates from 87 countries, their tour routes also took them to the world headquarters of Jehovah’s visible organization, with major sections of its operations in New York State at Brooklyn, at Wallkill (90 miles [144 km] from Brooklyn), and at Patterson (70 miles [112 km] from Brooklyn). From May 28 through July 20, they came—more than 14,500 in all! It was, as so many said, “a dream come true.” Expressing how they felt, a tour group visiting the Watchtower Educational Center at Patterson arranged themselves in the dining room after the noon meal and sang in beautiful four-part harmony song number 42, “This Is the Way.” Deeply moved by what they saw and by the love and hospitality they experienced, many had tears in their eyes as they thanked the brothers and sisters who served as guides. It was not only the visitors whose emotions were stirred. Members of the Bethel family too said that those are days they would never forget!
The crowds that attended the international conventions in Europe shared similar feelings. During July, delegates began to arrive in Britain. From July 24 to 26, conventions there were held simultaneously in nine cities. Whether in English, French, Spanish, or Punjabi, they all had the same program. For talks given by members of the Governing Body, the convention sites were tied together electronically. Delegates from more than 60 lands had flocked together.
A highlight of the program was the interviews of missionaries and international servants. They were present from 45 lands. They shared with the audience the joys and the challenges of foreign service. Susan Snaith, from West Africa, acknowledged: “Especially during the first few months after you move to a new assignment, you can feel very homesick, so to know that your parents are behind you and encouraging you can really help you stay in your assignment.” Doreen Kilgour, a longtime missionary in South Africa, said: “The thing is, you must love the people. And if you really love people and help them to love Jehovah and also to walk in Jehovah’s way, this is what helps you to stay in your assignment.” Myrna Simms, from Ecuador, added: “Do not concentrate on the things that you have left behind, but concentrate on the work at hand. Do not look at the negative things. Look beyond those, and remember that we have a work to do!” And Anne Crudass, from war-torn Liberia, said: “We are supposed to encourage the local brothers and sisters, but actually, we have been greatly encouraged by them. We have seen their zeal, their faith, and their bravery during the war, their taking care of one another and risking their lives for one another. . . . We have experienced the love and the care of the brothers toward us personally. We have now been evacuated four times from our assignments, . . . and when we have been refugees, our brothers have been so concerned about our feelings and our spirituality that they have written us beautiful, upbuilding letters. . . . All these blessings have made it easy for us to return to Liberia, even when conditions there have been unstable.”
Within days after the conventions in Britain had ended, others began in Germany. Witnesses in the host cities extended invitations to the public. This afforded opportunity to explain to people that the international conventions, five of which were scheduled for Germany, are a feature of our global program of Bible education. The entire program was put on in 13 languages. For key portions of the program, all five convention cities (Berlin, Nuremberg, Munich, Dortmund, and Stuttgart) were tied together. Peak attendance was an outstanding 217,472, some 45,000 of these having come from abroad. Many were there from Eastern Europe. At least 150 missionaries, international servants, and Bethelites working in foreign assignments were included among the conventioners.
From August 21 to 23, before the service year ended, yet another history-making international convention was held, in Athens, Greece. In spite of angry objections by the clergy of the Greek Orthodox Church, 39,324 conventioners from 21 lands assembled. Wherever the delegates went, in Athens as well as other places throughout the country, a marvelous witness was given—by their conduct, by their dress and grooming, as well as by their preaching and by literature placed. The openhearted hospitality extended by the Greek Witnesses was such that, even though Jehovah’s people are accustomed to experiencing Christian love, many became choked up with emotion and gave way to tears of joy. And to see Greeks and Turks hugging and kissing one another with tears in their eyes and offering and accepting hospitality—well, this is a miracle that only Jehovah can perform!
Now we are in a new service year, and more international conventions are being held—in Africa, Latin America, Korea, and Australia.
Distribution of Kingdom News
Our field ministry is, of course, one of our foremost activities. It is a work assigned to us by Jehovah through his Son. And the message that we declare is what people desperately need. (Isa. 43:10-12; Matt. 24:14) During the past year, 5,888,650 shared in that work, devoting 1,186,666,708 hours to the field ministry. What a fine heap of witness! An exciting aspect of that ministry during the past service year was the distribution of Kingdom News No. 35, which featured the question “Will All People Ever Love One Another?” How appropriate to appeal to people on the basis of their desire to be loved, a desire that God implanted in humankind! The message was powerful, and many sincere people responded favorably to it.
Nearly 400,000,000 copies of that tract were printed in 166 languages. Of those languages, 27 were distributed in Russia, and in 10 of those languages, we had never had literature before. Many branches, recognizing the ethnic diversity of their territory, arranged for distribution of the tract in 10, 20, or even 30 languages.
When a Witness in Ghana was distributing the Kingdom News from farm to farm, she came across a man and his wife engaged in a bitter quarrel. The Witness flashed Kingdom News No. 35 before their eyes, with its captivating title “Will All People Ever Love One Another?” Immediately the couple calmed down. Our sister took time to discuss the tract with them, using her Bible to show them the reasons for strife and what God’s Kingdom will do for humankind. At the end of the discussion, the man said: “Certainly it was God who sent you here with this pamphlet.” They both eagerly accepted the offer of a home Bible study. Another 1,850 mailed to the Ghana branch their request for a free home Bible study. In Malawi, 1,900 of such reader requests were received; 2,717 in Zimbabwe; 1,346 in Poland; 2,525 in the United States. In Russia, 7,100 wrote to the branch to ask for someone to conduct a Bible study with them.
The attractive cover, the thought-provoking title, and the warmth of the information in the tract was just what was needed in war-torn Sri Lanka. Hundreds of coupons were sent to the branch, requesting a brochure, and a large proportion included a request for a home Bible study. Many of these who asked for a study are now publishers of the good news; some have even been baptized.
Thirty publishers in Cameroon hired a bus in order to distribute the tracts in a territory about 45 miles [70 km] from their Kingdom Hall in Garoua. During the morning they covered the territory with tracts, and in the afternoon they showed the video Jehovah’s Witnesses—The Organization Behind the Name to an audience of 182 persons. At the conclusion, many wanted more literature. A number of home Bible studies were started, and the congregation sent a pioneer to look after the interest.
When Kingdom News No. 35 was distributed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, many people accepted it eagerly; others, numbed by the hardships of life, accepted it reluctantly. Upon making a return visit on one of the latter, the publishers found that the woman was very sick and had no money to buy needed medicine. The publishers obtained the medicine for her. This touched her heart and led to a study with her and her four children. In another instance, a young man who received the tract thought that the Witnesses were boasting about themselves. Later he was on a bus that was attacked by highwaymen. Left at night without money in an area where he knew nobody, he went along with a Witness who had also been on the bus and who had also been robbed. They found a Witness home, where they were welcomed, housed overnight, and helped on their way the next morning. Back home, the young man told the story to his friends and said: “Jehovah’s Witnesses are not proud. True love is at work in among them, and they love their neighbor.” The same day, a Bible study was started with him.
A congregation in northern Chile encouraged the publishers to give the tract to everyone, everywhere. One publisher visited the local radio station. The announcer was so impressed with the message that he stopped the morning program and read the entire message of Kingdom News No. 35 to the radio audience.
In Italy, placing the Kingdom News with a nun waiting for a bus led to daily 10- to 15-minute Bible studies at the bus stop. After a month and a half, the nun’s appreciation for Bible truth moved her to leave the convent. She was grateful to learn that by means of God’s Kingdom, the earth will become a place where people will truly love one another, without racial or linguistic barriers. She returned to Guatemala, her home country, where she continued her study with her fleshly sister, who was already one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Watchtower Educational Center
The Watchtower Educational Center in Patterson, New York, plays a significant role in the global work of witnessing about God’s Kingdom.
By 1994, construction work at Patterson had reached the point where it was possible to begin moving certain major operations of the Society into the Watchtower Educational Center. Over a period of months, a portion of the Engineering Department, the Service Department, the correspondence division of the Writing Department, Translation Services (which currently works with translation teams in 116 lands), the Legal Department (which deals with legal needs in support of the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide), and the Art Department (which works out details for the visual appearance of books, magazines, brochures, and so forth), along with all the necessary support services, were transferred.
In March 1995, Gilead School was moved from Wallkill to the new facilities at Patterson. Since then, graduates of Gilead School have been sent out to 51 lands—into Central and South America, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Orient, and islands of the sea. Additionally, the school for Branch Committee members has provided specialized training for 336 brothers who came from and returned to the Society’s branches in 106 lands.
Now a new building equipped with audio/video facilities has been completed at the Watchtower Educational Center in Patterson. The moving of offices and equipment into this fine new facility began on April 20, 1998. The facilities that have been prepared will enable us to make more effective use of the potential in the audiovisual field.
Of course, the opening of this building does not represent the beginning of the Society’s work in this field. In addition to what is done at the world headquarters, about 30 of the branches already do some recording for audiocassettes. These may involve the Bible or local-language magazines, brochures, and convention dramas. Various audiocassettes are now available in 61 languages. In a few languages, the tape recordings are given world distribution. Compact discs (CDs) that contain various arrangements of our Kingdom songs are also produced, and in nine languages there are CDs that contain research material (Watchtower Library).
Video programs are produced in 41 languages. The scripts originate at the world headquarters, and a library of more than 2,100 video source-tapes has been accumulated from which material can be drawn. Actual video recording is done not only at Patterson but also in many other parts of the world. Editing of the original master videotapes and the English edition is now being done in the Society’s new audio/video facilities at Patterson. At the Society’s studio in the Netherlands, non-English programs are prepared for duplication. Recording of the narration is done in a number of audio-recording branches, and then this is sent to the Netherlands to be mixed with the program’s music and sound effects and to have needed visual text added, thus completing the video duplication master for each language. Japan does some of this work for the Orient.
Use of videocassettes for sign languages has mushroomed. This has resulted, in part, from appreciation for the fact that sign languages are distinct and are not merely visual presentations of spoken languages. When they began to receive sign-language videos, some who are deaf saw them as evidence that Jehovah had not forgotten them but that he cares for deaf people too. The Society produces videos that superimpose sign-language interpretation on already existing audiovisual presentations. There are also videos that provide complete visual translation of the contents of existing printed Watch Tower publications. In most cases, these are used to conduct home Bible studies with people who are deaf, so the videos include study questions, which makes interactive use of such videos possible. Additionally, singing has been videotaped in sign language, and this is used to lead an audience in giving expression to the songs. The Society will be providing support for video recording of sign-language projects from its facilities in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Denmark, and the Netherlands. In most of these branches, editing of the sign-language programs will also be done.
Witnessing in sign language has greatly increased in recent years. There are 17 sign-language congregations in Korea, where special attention has been given to this need for a number of years. Nineteen of such congregations function in the United States. Russia has one congregation and 43 smaller groups. Other places also show good response to the attention given to the unique needs of deaf people. Worldwide, there are about 80 of such congregations and many more smaller groups. As is true of Jehovah’s servants who speak audible languages, their deaf brothers and sisters look forward eagerly to the time when differences in language, whether audible or visual, will no longer be a barrier to free communication. But even now, using many languages, we all speak the “pure language” and thus have the privilege of unitedly making known the goodness of Jehovah.—Zeph. 3:9.
Eyewitnesses of Fine Works
The zeal of Jehovah’s servants as they share the good news of the Kingdom with others makes Jehovah’s heart rejoice. On the other hand, their exemplary conduct and fine works often go unnoticed by others and, sadly, are at times misunderstood. Are there effective ways to inform and educate reasonable but misinformed individuals about these things?—1 Pet. 2:12.
Working under the direction of the Writing Committee, the Public Affairs Office endeavors to dispel misinformation about God’s servants so that people will be more receptive to the Kingdom message. To that end, this office endeavors to promote understanding of Jehovah’s Witnesses on the part of the public by providing positive information that can be sent to the media, educators, and other professionals.
Raging ethnic and sectarian violence presents a staggering problem to the world community. In order to help young people reject prejudice and violent behavior, educators are seeking ways to teach their students ethical values. What can Jehovah’s Witnesses share with them? A Witness in Sweden sent the video Jehovah’s Witnesses Stand Firm Against Nazi Assault to a prominent official. As a result, government representatives invited the Witnesses to share in a nationwide Holocaust information project called Living History. They wanted our brothers to inform school children and people in general about Jehovah’s Witnesses during the Nazi era. Thereafter, teachers were encouraged to invite Jehovah’s Witnesses to give classroom lectures on ethics and morals, based on experiences during the Holocaust.
Elsewhere, use of the video Jehovah’s Witnesses—The Organization Behind the Name has proved effective. In Côte d’Ivoire, after it was shown on national television, many people showed increased appreciation for Jehovah’s Witnesses and their organization.
Some opposers have attempted to use misconceptions about medical use of blood as an excuse to restrict our activity in Russia. (Acts 15:28, 29) The Russian health system itself suffers from problems with its blood supply and would benefit from information about alternative treatment. Many doctors who would be willing to treat patients without the use of blood want more knowledge and training in this field. Because of adhering to Bible standards regarding life and blood, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been able to provide information in the fields of science, medicine, and patients’ rights that is of value to the medical community and the public in general.
The Public Affairs Office together with Hospital Information Services planned a series of short presentations at St. Petersburg and Moscow hospitals. Prominent doctors from the United States and Europe who cooperate with Jehovah’s Witnesses in their decision to refrain from using blood were invited to speak at events in the spring of 1998. The chief of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at one U.S. hospital that provides a bloodless center explained: “Our experience shows that bloodless surgery reduces health-care costs while improving patient care.” He told a group of 400 Russian physicians: “Blood transfusion has been viewed as lifesaving, but more and more we are seeing some of its most devastating effects on patients.” The importance of these symposiums was well publicized in the press. Prominent Russian specialists as well as representatives of the Health Ministry and health committees were present. Shortly afterward, reports by the media quoted statements from well-respected people in the medical community about the danger associated with blood use and acknowledging that a decision to refuse a blood transfusion should not be viewed as unreasonable.
Additionally, during the past year, concerted efforts were made in selected countries to contact individuals and organizations that are especially concerned about the breakdown of the family. They were offered the book The Secret of Family Happiness. What was the response?
At an elite Catholic school in Madrid, Spain, the director ordered 90 Family Happiness books, one for each member of the school staff. The director of a home for problem youths in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, requested a book for every unit leader in the home, since he thought that they could use the information to help the youths. In Ukraine, newspapers, radio, and TV reported on the campaign being conducted by Jehovah’s Witnesses to strengthen families. The directors of 256 organizations and institutions have invited the Witnesses to give lectures to their workers about strengthening families. (Eph. 5:22–6:4) As a result of the campaign, some teachers have begun to attend congregation meetings.
Another issue targeted during the year was the role of women. The April 8, 1998, issue of Awake! featured the cover series “Women—What Does the Future Hold for Them?” It discussed the discrimination that women face, the value their work has in society, and the positive outlook the Bible holds out for them. (Prov. 31:10-31; 1 Tim. 5:1, 2) A special effort was made to distribute this information to groups and organizations that are concerned with issues affecting women. Who but Jehovah’s people can provide such information and in more than 230 lands?
The brothers in the Japan branch sent a covering letter, a press release, and a copy of Awake! to more than 3,000 women’s organizations. In Puerto Rico interested people, including some social workers and a university professor, called the branch to request copies of the special Awake! issue. A member of the House of Representatives of the legislature read the magazine and was so impressed with the worldwide educational program of Jehovah’s Witnesses and their genuine interest in the community that she invited the Witnesses to her office. In one city the executive assistant to the mayor was so interested in the material that he requested 100 copies for five departments of the municipal government.
We cannot change the negative view that many people in this world have about us. But we believe that Jehovah will continue to bless activities that result in sanctifying his great name. As a result of being made eyewitnesses of our fine works, those “rightly disposed for everlasting life” see reasons to be among those who glorify God.—Acts 13:48.
‘Lengthening the Tent Cords’
Long ago, Jehovah prophetically said to his organization: “Make the place of your tent more spacious. . . . Do not hold back. Lengthen out your tent cords, and make those tent pins of yours strong.” (Isa. 54:2) Now, in fulfillment of Revelation 7:9, millions who eagerly look forward to life on earth under the Messianic Kingdom are coming into association with the theocratic organization. Room is needed for them too.
In order to provide suitable places for Bible instruction, the building of Kingdom Halls is a high priority in many lands. In Ghana a survey showed that there are at present 237 Kingdom Halls and that another 275 are under construction. Ukraine reports that 84 Kingdom Halls have been completed and 61 others are being built. In South Africa brothers working with a Regional Building Committee help local brothers lay the foundation for their Kingdom Hall, then they leave a block-making machine with them. Local Witnesses, mostly sisters, make the blocks and stack them to dry. When the blocks are ready, volunteers working with the Regional Building Committee return and quickly erect the hall. This system enables them to build good halls at minimal cost.
Having suitable Kingdom Halls helps to speed up the ingathering work. A Kingdom Hall was built in Madagascar to care for two congregations. Within a few months, two more congregations were formed in the same area, and there are prospects for another. But a country in Africa that reports over 28,000 publishers has only one Kingdom Hall for every 10 congregations; another, with over 38,000 publishers, has one Kingdom Hall for every 26 congregations. A branch office in Eastern Europe that reports over 100,000 publishers says that they have just one Kingdom Hall for every 13 congregations. Some countries show a deficit of over 1,000—even 2,500—Kingdom Halls. So, as the service year ended, arrangements were being set in motion for international volunteers to help with erecting an additional 8,000 or more urgently needed Kingdom Halls in specified lands where the brothers locally do not have sufficient building skills and material resources to provide meeting places for the many who are flocking into Jehovah’s organization.
As the number of publishers increases—and 316,092 more were baptized this past year—additional branch facilities are also required. At present, 17,781 in Bethel families around the earth render service as members of the Order of Special Full-Time Servants.
KENYA: New branch facilities were dedicated in Kenya on October 25, 1997. Milton Henschel, of the Governing Body, was present; so were others who had shared in the work in Kenya in earlier days. From all over East Africa, enthusiastic Witnesses came—some on foot—to attend the special program arranged for that weekend.
This branch has oversight of the preaching and disciple-making work in an area in East Africa where a total of more than 29,000 publishers are active. Intrepid pioneers from South Africa first began witnessing in Kenya back in the early 1930’s. Not until 1949, however, with the arrival of the newly baptized Mary Whittington, from England, was a continuous witness given. The first Gilead-trained missionaries, William and Muriel Nisbet, arrived in 1956. Brother Nisbet’s brothers Robert and George were among the early pioneers who had given a witness in Kenya back in the 1930’s. Many other missionaries, special pioneers from Zambia and Tanzania, and other brothers serving where the need is greater have also played a major role in the development of the work in Kenya. It took 41 years to reach the 1,000-publisher mark in Kenya. Now, well over 1,000 are baptized each year!
FRANCE: On the weekend of November 15-16, 1997, Jehovah’s Witnesses in France dedicated new branch facilities 65 miles [100 km] west of Paris, in Louviers. Brothers and sisters from 42 branches were present for the dedication program, which featured talks by Lloyd Barry and Daniel Sydlik, of the Governing Body. And how thrilling it was, the following day, to see a crowd of 95,888 for the special program held at the Villepinte Exhibition Center, north of Paris! This was the largest gathering of Jehovah’s Witnesses ever in France.
The 50-percent increase in the number of publishers during the 1980’s had resulted in an urgent need for more space at Bethel. Ten years, however, were needed to bring this project to fruition. Initial attempts to build in the vicinity of our existing buildings met with fierce opposition. Opponents continue to try to interfere with the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses in France. Nevertheless, the 121,000 Witnesses in France do not let up in their publishing of the good news of God’s Kingdom, confident that many more of the 100 million French-speaking people worldwide will gratefully accept the invitation to “take life’s water free.”—Rev. 22:17.
SPAIN: In this land, too, many honesthearted people are responding favorably to the good news of God’s Kingdom. Since the branch complex outside Madrid was dedicated in 1983, the number of Witnesses in Spain has increased from 53,000 to more than 103,000. Printing of Watchtower and Awake! magazines for Spain and Portugal has also burgeoned, from 6,500,000 copies yearly to nearly 23,000,000. “With 150 Bethel workers living several miles away, we had a dire shortage of accommodations,” explains John Heidelberg, the home overseer, “as well as an acute need for adequate literature storage and shipping facilities.”
The dedication of enlarged branch facilities, on March 28, 1998, was the culmination of five years of hard work in which over 25,000 volunteers—mostly from Spain, some from abroad—had collaborated. William Malenfant and Gerrit Lösch, both of the Brooklyn headquarters staff, shared in the dedication program. Though space was limited for that program, the following day 65,775 assembled in Madrid and Barcelona to enjoy another excellent program.
ROMANIA: For well over 80 years, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been carrying on their public ministry in Romania. In 1990 when a 43-year ban on their activity was lifted, there were about 19,000 publishers. Now there are over 37,000, and more than 82,000 attended the Memorial in 1998. A suitable branch office was needed in Romania. Thus, one of the highlights of the year was the dedication of their new branch on May 2, 1998. Brothers from 19 countries, including Gerrit Lösch, of the Governing Body, were present to share with them in that happy occasion.
As the 1998 service year was ending, there were 397 experienced international servants and 150 international volunteers who were working along with local Witnesses on various construction projects. These involved major construction in 38 countries and smaller projects in 23 other lands. Thousands of Kingdom Halls will now be added to their construction agenda. Truly, in many ways much is being done to make the figurative tent “more spacious” and to ‘lengthen the tent cords.’
[Pictures on page 6]
Members of the Governing Body spoke at each international convention
[Pictures on page 11]
Reports from missionaries were a highlight
[Pictures on page 12-14]
Outstanding love and joy were manifested by conventioners
[Pictures on page 21]
Audio/video facilities at Patterson
[Pictures on page 29]
Branch facilities dedicated: (1) Spain, (2) Kenya, (3) France
Worldwide Report: 1998 Grand Totals
Worldwide Report: 1998 Grand Totals
Watch Tower Branches: 106
Number of Lands Reporting: 233
Total Congregations: 87,644
Worldwide Memorial Attendance: 13,896,312
Memorial Partakers Worldwide: 8,756
Peak of Publishers in Kingdom Service: 5,888,650
Average Publishers Preaching Each Month: 5,544,059
Percentage of Increase Over 1997: 3.6
Total Number Baptized: 316,092
Average Pioneer Publishers Each Month: 698,781
Total Hours Spent in Field: 1,186,666,708
Average Home Bible Studies Each Month: 4,302,852
During the 1998 service year, the Watch Tower Society spent $64,414,274.00 in caring for special pioneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers in their field service assignments
[Chart on page 32-39]
1998 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE
(See publication)
[Maps on page 40-42]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
ATLANTIC OCEAN
INDIAN OCEAN
PACIFIC OCEAN
PUBLISHER TO POPULATION RATIO
1 to 30-500
ALASKA
AMERICAN SAMOA
ANDORRA
ANGOLA
ANGUILLA
ANTIGUA
ARGENTINA
ARUBA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
AZORES
BAHAMAS
BARBADOS
BELAU
BELGIUM
BELIZE
BERMUDA
BONAIRE
BRAZIL
BRITAIN
CANADA
CAPE VERDE
CAYMAN ISLANDS
CHILE
COLOMBIA
CONGO, DEM. REP.
COOK ISLANDS
COSTA RICA
CUBA
CURAÇAO
CYPRUS
DENMARK
DOMINICA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ECUADOR
EL SALVADOR
ESTONIA
FALKLAND ISLANDS
FIJI
FINLAND
FRANCE
FRENCH GUIANA
GEORGIA
GERMANY
GHANA
GIBRALTAR
GREECE
GREENLAND
GRENADA
GUADELOUPE
GUAM
GUATEMALA
GUYANA
HAWAII
HUNGARY
ITALY
JAMAICA
KOSRAE
LUXEMBOURG
MADEIRA
MALAWI
MARQUESAS ISLANDS
MARSHALL ISLANDS
MARTINIQUE
MEXICO
MOLDOVA
MONTSERRAT
NETHERLANDS
NEVIS
NEW CALEDONIA
NEW ZEALAND
NICARAGUA
NIGERIA
NIUE
NORFOLK ISLAND
NORWAY
PANAMA
PERU
POLAND
PORTUGAL
PUERTO RICO
RÉUNION
ROTA
ST. EUSTATIUS
ST. HELENA
ST. KITTS
ST. LUCIA
ST. MAARTEN
ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON
ST. VINCENT
SAIPAN
SAMOA
SAN MARINO
SEYCHELLES
SLOVAKIA
SOLOMON ISLANDS
SPAIN
SURINAME
SWAZILAND
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND
TAHITI
TOGO
TOKELAU
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
TUVALU
UKRAINE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
URUGUAY
VENEZUELA
VIRGIN ISLANDS (BRITISH)
VIRGIN ISLANDS (U.S.)
WALLIS & FUTUNA ISLS.
YAP
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
1 to 501-5000
ALBANIA
ARMENIA
BELARUS
BENIN
BOLIVIA
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
BOTSWANA
BURUNDI
CAMEROON
CENTRAL AFRICAN REP.
CHUUK
CONGO, REP.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
CROATIA
CZECH REP.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
FAEROE ISLANDS
GABON
HAITI
HONDURAS
HONG KONG
ICELAND
IRELAND
JAPAN
KAZAKSTAN
KENYA
KIRIBATI
KYRGYZSTAN
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
LATVIA
LEBANON
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
LIECHTENSTEIN
LITHUANIA
MACAO
MACEDONIA
MADAGASCAR
MALTA
MAURITIUS
MAYOTTE
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
NAURU
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PARAGUAY
PHILIPPINES
POHNPEI
RODRIGUES
ROMANIA
RUSSIA
RWANDA
SABA
SÃO TOMÉ & PRÍNCIPE
SIERRA LEONE
SLOVENIA
SOUTH AFRICA
TANZANIA
TONGA
VANUATU
YUGOSLAVIA, F.R.
1 to 5001+
BANGLADESH
BULGARIA
BURKINA FASO
CAMBODIA
CHAD
COMOROS
ETHIOPIA
THE GAMBIA
GUINEA
GUINEA-BISSAU
INDIA
ISRAEL
LIBYA
MALAYSIA
MALI
MYANMAR
NEPAL
NIGER
PAKISTAN
SENEGAL
SRI LANKA
TAIWAN
TAJIKISTAN
THAILAND
TURKEY
UGANDA
Worldwide Report
Worldwide Report
Africa
On a global scale, the gathering of people who are “rightly disposed for everlasting life” continues at a rapid pace. (Acts 13:48) In much of Africa, the influx of people who want to walk in Jehovah’s way of life is particularly great. To assist in this, during the past service year, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures was released in Yoruba (spoken by 23 million people), and the Christian Greek Scriptures in Tsonga (spoken by 4 million).
During the past five years, Angola and Uganda reported increases of more than 70 percent in the number of public praisers of Jehovah. Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Mozambique, and Rwanda have each increased by far more than 100 percent. Guinea-Bissau shows a growth of 300 percent. Nigeria regularly averages more than 200,000 publishers. In both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, there are more than 100,000 Kingdom proclaimers giving a fine witness, often in the face of severe problems.
Burkina Faso is a field where many are eager to learn what the Bible contains. In a three-month period during the year, four special pioneers preached to 169 villages within an 85-mile [140 km] radius of the capital city, Ouagadougou. In some areas, roads are almost nonexistent, and as they went from village to village, these zealous pioneers would walk ten or more miles [15 km] a day in temperatures up to 110 degrees [45 C.] in the shade. They spoke with people who had never heard about Jehovah or met any of his Witnesses. In recent years the authorities have made an effort to teach the local people to read and write in Mooré, the mother tongue of these people. But there is very little material to read. To fill the need, the Society has been producing a number of publications in their language. The pioneers report: “The reaction of the population is very touching, and that encourages us. . . . We see their joy at finally having publications in their own language, especially ones that talk about God’s good news.” During the three months in this area, the pioneers distributed 3,615 books, 22,228 brochures, and 368 magazines.
In a city in Nigeria, publishers were about to go witnessing in an area where tension was mounting dangerously during a period of ethnic strife. Heeding advice given to them, they started to go home. But a crowd of irate youths stopped the publishers’ car and demanded fuel with which to burn houses. The brothers explained their neutral stand, but the youths would not listen. (John 17:16; Rom. 12:18) Then the publishers gave each one in the crowd a copy of Kingdom News No. 35, which posed the question “Will All People Ever Love One Another?” The youths admired the tract, applauded the brothers, and let them go home peacefully.
While working isolated territory in Rwanda last year, a Witness met a man who was very happy to receive the Knowledge book and to have a Bible study. Right from the beginning, the man showed appreciation for the congregation meetings. (Heb. 10:24, 25) Though missing one leg from the knee down, he would cross a lake in a dugout canoe and walk four hours to get to the meeting place. He attended regularly, enrolled in the Theocratic Ministry School, and helped his children to learn about their Creator. How he rejoiced in the hope that soon he would be able to walk again with both legs!—Isa. 35:6.
A man named Jackson studied with the Witnesses in Monrovia, Liberia, but the war forced him to flee to a village in Bopolu, his home district. After some time the branch received a letter from him urgently requesting help to build a Kingdom Hall and organize the interested people. Why? He explained: “Starting from half past six every Sunday morning, I am busy with Bible studies up to nine o’clock in the evening . . . I can no longer handle the number of people who are in need of Bible studies, so I have assigned four of my Bible students to help by conducting a number of Bible studies themselves. . . . The greatest problem I am presently facing is how to care for this growing congregation. I myself am a child and need spiritual milk; how can I feed the others?” A circuit overseer who visited Bopolu reported that Jackson was conducting Bible studies with 37 people and that there were even more who wanted to study. The circuit overseer advised that a special pioneer was urgently needed in Bopolu. Finally, Jackson himself qualified to serve as an unbaptized publisher.
Literacy classes are conducted in 372 of our 637 congregations in Mozambique. Presently, some 5,800 students are attending these classes, and 1,525 learned to read during the past year. It is worthy of mention that among Jehovah’s Witnesses in Mozambique, the literacy rate is now 72 percent. The literacy classes have done much to help people here come to an accurate knowledge of Bible truth.—1 Tim. 2:3, 4.
One morning when two boys, aged four and five, from two families were being dropped off at school in Windhoek, Namibia, the principal explained that the class was going to have a birthday party. She had read the School brochure, so she asked one of the parents what she should do. The sister explained our stand but said that the boys were capable of making their own decision.
When one of the sisters returned at the end of the day to get her child, the principal told her: “You can be so proud of these two boys! I sent the two of them out of the classroom when the children sang ‘happy birthday.’ When it came to the cake, the younger one asked if it was a ‘happy birthday’ cake. I told him that it was, and he replied, ‘No, thank you.’ The other boy said the same.” Later, one of the boys asked the teacher if she knew God’s name and then witnessed to her about Jehovah. The other boy, of his own accord, took her the video Jehovah’s Witnesses—The Organization Behind the Name. As a result of their good example and courageous witnessing, she came to the Memorial when she was invited. A Bible study was started with her by one of the parents, and she said: “I have committed myself to doing things God’s way now, and I am determined not to let anything stand in my way.”
A zealous elder in Zambia uses the Society’s publications on audiocassettes effectively in street witnessing. How? He parks his car by the roadside and plays the audiocassette of The Secret of Family Happiness. Passersby are invited to come over and listen to what is being read, and they soon ask what it is. Our brother explains that they have heard a portion of the book Family Happiness. As a result, in one month he was able to place 29 books and start two Bible studies.
The Americas
The harvest is currently greater in some lands than in others, but it is still proving true that ‘the fields are white for harvesting.’ (John 4:35) In the past five years, Brazil has had an increase of 33 percent in Kingdom proclaimers; Mexico, 36 percent; Cuba, 64 percent; and Colombia, 65 percent. In the United States during the same period, 209,249 symbolized their dedication by water baptism, and a new peak of 1,040,283 shared in the field ministry!
A special pioneer serving in the southern part of Honduras conducted a study that was truly a joy. By the time they reached chapter 12 of the Knowledge book, the student became an unbaptized publisher. Within two months he was already conducting two progressive Bible studies of his own and both were attending meetings. After three and a half months, one of these students became an unbaptized publisher of the good news. Three months later the second student joined in witnessing. When the original student was ready to get baptized, so was his first student. The other one is also making good progress. What next? The original student, now our brother, is already conducting another Bible study, with a married couple. What a joy the disciple-making work is!
An earnest effort is being made to give a thorough witness in the Amazon River region of Brazil. The branch has assigned 21 pioneers to preach in that area using four large boats. All these pioneers have experience in navigation, and what is more important, they maintain a willing, self-sacrificing spirit. The boats operate along the Madeira, Purus, Solimões, and Tocantins rivers as well as in the region around Marajó Island. These rivers extend for about 6,000 miles [9,700 km], and an estimated 370,000 persons live along the river banks or not far from them. A recent letter from the pioneers on one of the boats reads in part: “We finally reached the town of Chaves . . . We held a public meeting and showed the United by Divine Teaching video. Seventy persons attended. One man received the Live Forever book and read it through during the week of our stay there. He told us: ‘If you start a church here, I want to be a member.’”
Others may be difficult to reach, not because they live in remote areas, but because they travel to such places at vacation time. Nearly one million of those who go to Alaska each summer endeavor to see 20,320-foot [6,194 m] Mount McKinley! Could we reach them there with something that might help them to think about God and his purpose? Local Witnesses obtained a special permit to set up a literature table at Denali National Park. Appropriate topics from Awake! were chosen, such as “Mountains—Masterpieces of Creation” (October 8, 1994), “Who Will Save Our Animals?” (July 8, 1997), “Can Our Rain Forests Be Saved?” (May 8, 1998), and “The Iditarod—Ten Centuries in the Making” (October 8, 1995). As a result of this effort to go where the people are, they reached visitors from Australia, Greece, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and China! They also witnessed to many from other parts of the United States.
The territory in Mexico is now being worked frequently—every week or two in many cities. In the settlement of Las Nubes, Chiapas State, the majority of the inhabitants are Jehovah’s Witnesses. There are only three homes of non-Witnesses. In San Antonio Buenavista, there are now eight congregations and only 64 homes of non-Witnesses to visit. The Witnesses there walk several hours to reach territory in which to witness and to conduct Bible studies.
At the end of a meeting in a Kingdom Hall in Nicaragua, a Witness greeted two young women. She thought they were Witnesses visiting from another congregation. When our sister realized that this was not the case and that they had simply come out of curiosity, she offered them a Bible study. They agreed. They both belonged to a religious group known as Young Life, in which they were regional leaders. One of them, Karelia, began to teach her group the things she was learning from her study of the Bible. She started with God’s name. A church pastor tried to discourage that, saying that Jehovah is not really the divine name. Karelia replied that if this were the case, the pastor could not continue to use his Bible because it contained the name Jehovah. He was left speechless. Thereafter, Karelia taught her group the truth about the Trinity and the cross. Soon the pastors took away her privilege of praying at their meetings because she prayed to Jehovah, in the name of Jesus Christ. She was not invited to their next rally. So at one of their meetings, she announced that she was leaving the group to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She made that decision after having studied only the first four chapters of the Knowledge book. In less than seven months, she got baptized.
Asia
The Orient too is responding to the invitation: “Praise Jah, you people!. . . Every breathing thing—let it praise Jah.” (Ps. 150:1, 6) In every country in Asia, Jehovah’s Witnesses have preached the good news, and as people have the opportunity to hear the message, the number of Witnesses grows. In some lands, that growth is rapid. Israel, Bangladesh, and Macao have all seen increases of more than 100 percent during the past five years. Nepal, Georgia, and Kazakstan report growth far in excess of 200 percent. In the Republic of Korea, some 85,000 regularly share in preaching the good news. In Japan, upwards of 222,000 are loyally serving Jehovah.
What a joy it was, on April 30, 1998, when the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses received legal recognition in Kyrgyzstan! The chairman of the state commission responsible for registration was surprised when the brothers presented to him a copy of the Knowledge book, which had already been published and was available for distribution in the Kirghiz language.
Though not yet baptized, young children sometimes accomplish much toward attracting people to true worship. A three-and-a-half-year-old boy of a Witness family in India was friendly with his neighbors and treated them as if they were his elder brother and sister. The boy regularly invited his neighbor “brother” to go with him to the congregation meetings on Sundays. But the neighbor went to movie theaters on the weekend. Finally, however, he gave in and agreed to go to the meeting. Then the boy insisted that the neighbor should be dressed properly to go to the Kingdom Hall. When he tried to make excuses, the boy caught hold of his hand, led him into his room, and showed him what would be appropriate to wear. When at the meeting, the young man was surprised to find that he liked what he was hearing. From then on he and his fleshly sister never missed the meetings. Later, when he found out that the young boy obeyed his parents whether they were present or not—because “Jehovah is watching”—the young man was truly amazed. He and his sister now look forward to becoming baptized Witnesses.
A publisher in Kagoshima, Japan, is making good use of the Society’s videos. Convinced that these are extremely effective tools to reach people’s hearts, she decided to watch all of them with her unbelieving husband. To begin with, they watched Jehovah’s Witnesses—The Organization Behind the Name. As a result, her husband agreed to have a regular Bible study. Then the video United by Divine Teaching impressed him with the reality of the worldwide brotherhood and stirred within him a desire to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Yet, because of his job and pressures from his relatives, he felt that this was impossible. However, upon watching Volumes 1 and 2 of the video The Bible—A Book of Fact and Prophecy, he began to make personal application of Bible principles. Soon he was out in the field service as an unbaptized publisher. Finally, the video Jehovah’s Witnesses Stand Firm Against Nazi Assault impressed upon him that Jehovah strengthens his people. He was now ready for baptism, and he did get baptized in October 1997.
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