Later that year communication was further strengthened when Nathan H. Knorr, who had been the Society’s president since 1942, visited Copenhagen together with his secretary, Milton G. Henschel. This was quite an event, for a president of the Society had not visited Denmark since 1927.

During the visit, 13 brothers applied for missionary training at the new Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. The following summer the first five of them left for the United States.

Gilead Graduates Help Out

The return of Gilead-trained brothers to Denmark gave a big boost to the field ministry. The first two graduates, Johannes and Christian Rasmussen, came back to serve as servants to the brethren (today termed “circuit overseers”) from early 1947. Christian was later transferred to Sweden, where he still serves at Bethel.

Filip Hoffmann was the next Gilead graduate who returned to Denmark. In addition to instruction at Gilead, he received special training at the office and factory in Brooklyn. Thus, his return sparked a change in procedures at the Denmark branch office. Later, Brother Hoffmann was assigned to Germany to serve in its branch office.

Albert and Margaret West came back to Denmark from Gilead in January 1949. Brother West was assigned as branch overseer, relieving Brother Dey, who was now 69 years old.