• Now Is the Time to Preach the Word
    The Watchtower—1982 | January 1

    • 13. (a) What do the records show regarding the spreading of the “good news” on the African continent? (b) What experience shows that the time is indeed ripe for the harvesting of more lovers of righteousness?

      13 In many parts of Africa, thousands upon thousands have responded to the message of truth as proclaimed there by Jehovah’s faithful witnesses during the 20th century. In some places, such as Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, seeds of truth were sown as far back as 1923 to 1927, whereas in other lands, like Mali, Mauritania, Upper Volta and Rwanda, the message did not produce Kingdom publishers until the period between 1962 and 1970. Certainly the time is favorable for doing whatever is possible to help thirsting ones to come to the waters of truth before Jehovah says the work has been completed. In Zambia a special pioneer called on a village headman who showed keen interest in the Kingdom message. The headman brought others into the discussion so that, in all, 18 persons listened to the message of the special pioneer, which resulted in a number of home Bible studies being started. In a short time the local congregation increased in ranks of publishers from 65 to 86. Today there are very few places on the African continent where there are no witnesses of Jehovah preaching the “good news.”