CONVENTIONS BRING THE BROTHERS TOGETHER

Occasionally an interisland convention is held, bringing brothers together from all over the South Pacific. In 1963 the first large international convention was held in Suva, as one of the 24 different lands represented in the chain of around-the-world conventions bearing the theme “Everlasting Good News.” Many from other countries under the branch came and joined with the brothers in Fiji. What a joy it was to meet face to face for the first time, after having heard so much about one another!

In their friendly way, the island brothers fellowshipped for the five days of the convention. How thrilled, too, they were to associate with brothers from the Society’s headquarters, including Brothers F. W. Franz and Grant Suiter. The public talk, given by Brother Franz, was attended by 1,080 people, almost double the number at any previous convention in Fiji. Twenty-five were baptized, the fruitage of the ministry in a number of different countries. Sessions were held in four languages, English, Fijian, French and Samoan. The convention was an outstanding event in the early days of theocratic progress in Fiji.

In 1965 Brother Knorr visited Fiji and served at the “Fruitage of the Spirit” District Convention.

For example, in 1970 at the “Men of Goodwill” District Convention the brothers in Fiji’s western districts built the entire assembly facilities at the town of Mba. Working mostly on the weekends, they built two large thatched-roof auditoriums with bamboo seating, as well as six other smaller buildings. It took them three months, but they were well rewarded when 842 attended the public talk and 22 were baptized.