ALL congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world will resume holding in-person meetings during the week of April 1, except where local government restrictions do not permit them to do so.
Aleiah Marie Jesura, 22, residing in Iloilo City, has been attending sign language meetings with Jehovah’s Witnesses for more than five years now. Despite her hearing disability, she finds joy and satisfaction by being with people who understand her language.
For most of the last two years, the Witness’ houses of worship have remained closed globally due to the pandemic and risks associated with meeting in person. Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Philippines also suspended their public ministry on March 15, 2020.
Since that time, they have carried on their ministry through letters and phone calls while holding twice-weekly meetings in a virtual format. Average attendance at these meetings exceeded 344,000 each week in the Philippines, even though there are fewer than 234,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in some 3,500 congregations.
To ensure the safety of all whom attend, guidelines for holding “hybrid” meetings have been sent to all congregations in the Philippines. Over the past six months, many Kingdom Halls have been equipped with the required technology to hold a productive meeting that allows for in-person and remote attendees, all of whom can participate in the discussions.
Nelsie Patricio, 51, who resides in Capiz, is very happy to attend back at the Kingdom Hall. “I am overjoyed and excited because we can once again associate with friends who joyfully serve Jehovah,” she said. Nelsie has been attending meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses for more than 42 years now.
As of now, Jehovah’s Witnesses have no plans to resume their public ministry, though their “alternative” ministry continues. In fact, since the start of the pandemic through November 2021 in the Philippines alone, Jehovah’s Witnesses spent more than 49 million hours in virtual Bible studies, writing letters of comfort to their neighbors and making phone calls. Internationally, they have released 77 new language translations of the Bible and held two global virtual conventions in more than 500 languages.
The move back to in-person meetings precedes two global events being held in all 120,000 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The first is a special lecture scheduled in most congregations for April 10, 2022, entitled, “Where Can You Find Real Hope?” Additionally, the annual commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ will be held on April 15, 2022, the very day he sacrificed his life 1,989 years ago. Both of these gatherings will be held in person at local Kingdom Halls with live speakers. No collections are ever taken.
For more information on Jehovah’s Witnesses go to jw.org.
