Religion Today: Jehovah’s Witnesses “Uniting the World in Faith!” with Global Virtual Event in 240 lands, 500+ languages

June 30, 2021 Trevor Montgomery

Breaking a century-old tradition in the name of health and safety, the largest convention organization in the world has moved its annual in-person event to a virtual format for the second year in a row, canceling nearly 6,000 conventions in 240 lands.

As early as 1909, cities and towns all over California have welcomed Jehovah’s Witnesses as they fill hotels and restaurants during their summer convention weekends at venues as large as the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. In 2020, the pandemic unexpectedly interrupted that tradition, moving the international religious organization to cancel in-person conventions worldwide and launch a global virtual event. This was a first for Jehovah’s Witnesses, who have held public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world since 1897.

SEE OTHER RECENT RELIGION TODAY ARTICLES:
Religion Today: The Hand
Religion Today: Feeling Unloved
Religion Today: What Today is Real Truth
Religion Today: The Consequence Remains
Guest Writer Spotlight: Creation – The setting for a love story

“Powerful by Faith!” is the theme of the 2021 convention, which will be delivered in more than 500 languages virtually over six weekends during July and August. The program, usually held Friday through Sunday, will be available in six installments corresponding to morning and afternoon sessions — uniting some 15-20 million people in 240 countries. Sessions will be available for streaming or download beginning June 28, 2021.

The Han family from Anaheim Hills, California, enjoyed the “Love Never Fails” convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses at the Long Beach Arena in 2019. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s convention “Powerful By Faith!” will be held virtually worldwide. Jehovah’s Witnesses photo

Mike and Angie Brewer have fond memories of attending conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses at California venues throughout their lives. This year, they are eagerly anticipating viewing the convention program from home along with their four young children. “I am looking forward to this convention increasing my overall faith,” Mike Brewer said. “It is what we need now more than ever,” Angie Brewer said. “This will strengthen us as a family.”

The continued risk of bringing thousands of people together prompted the organization to opt for a virtual platform for the second consecutive year. However, the move has not curbed the enthusiasm for the annual event. Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide are inviting the public to this historic occasion.

“Faith has helped our global brotherhood to continue to thrive even during a pandemic,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Our faith will continue to unite us in worship – even virtually – as millions gather in private homes around the world to enjoy a powerful and inspiring spiritual program.”

SEE OTHER RECENT JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES ARTICLES:
Religion Today: Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Year Without Knocking on Doors
Religion Today: Seven practical tools for how to cope with pandemic anxiety
Get ready for the unexpected with a disaster go-bag, an essential tool for emergency preparedness
Religion Today: Spirituality Finds a Place in the New “School House”
Religion Today: A Lifeline Through Prison Walls

All are invited to attend the event by going to jw.org or JW Broadcasting on the free JW Library iOS or Android App, or on streaming platforms like ROKU TV, Apple TV, and others. The program is free and accessible to all. The schedule for download and global streaming is listed below.

For more information, please contact Jehovah’s Witnesses United States at (718) 560-5600 or [email protected].

Submitted by Jehovah’s Witnesses – Public Information Desk

https://vimeo.com/user65158452/review/570492164/a4e49d69fc

native advertising

Contact the editor: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.