• Jehovah’s Witnesses—1995 Yearbook Report
    1995 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

    • Joyful International Conventions

      This service year also saw a number of special international conventions. These were held in the Orient, in South America, and in Africa.

      Two conventions were scheduled for Hong Kong. An outstanding feature of these was the open display of enthusiasm and appreciation on the part of the 3,800 delegates who had come from 33 different countries. For many of the local publishers, this was their first personal contact with the international brotherhood. Language was no barrier as all freely mingled between sessions. Expressions of genuine brotherly affection contributed much to the spirit of warmth and joy.

      There have been many tangible results of these international conventions. One woman who had resumed her Bible study just prior to the conventions was so moved by the love and unity of the international brotherhood that she determined to qualify as a publisher and has since been baptized. Another Bible student and his wife were so encouraged by what they saw and heard that the husband handed in his resignation to his employer because the overtime work he constantly had to do was preventing him from attending meetings. Shortly afterward, he qualified to be a publisher.

      The arrival of thousands of delegates for the international convention in the Philippines caused quite a stir at the airport in Manila. Overheard was the conversation between two customs personnel. “Are these Protestant delegates?” asked one. “No,” replied the other, “these are Witnesses. They are the only group who can have the whites and the blacks together.”

      Five stadiums in Manila were required in order to accommodate the convention. Many were the appreciative comments received from the delegates. A sister from England wrote: “We all speak about the love you showed to us, true love. I myself can’t stop speaking about the pleasantness of the Philippine friends. They are so warm and genuinely hospitable and hardworking in the ministry.”

      This series of international conventions also included Chile and Colombia, in South America. The brothers in Chile made great efforts to be present at the convention in Santiago, traveling from as far south as Porvenir on the island Tierra del Fuego, from the northern city of Arica on the Peruvian border, and from distant Easter Island. Although this involved great economic sacrifice, how glad they were that they had not missed this memorable event! Can you imagine what it meant to publishers from isolated groups where from 10 to 15 meet? Here they were in a crowd of 80,891 delegates filling the National Stadium! Their hearts were in their throats. Oh, they had read about large conventions elsewhere, but they had never fully grasped what it means to be among so many brothers and sisters! One special pioneer felt so motivated by the program that he took nine vacation days to read and study the new Proclaimers book and was bubbling over with the information—so much so that he could not keep quiet but had to share points with others whenever possible.

      The convention in Chile was followed by one in Colombia, where 3,000 delegates from 31 countries joined local Witnesses in Bogotá. Initially, the immigration officials were somewhat skeptical. After hearing that we expected 40,000 delegates, one official asked: “How many police to control the crowd?” “None,” we replied. We explained that in Chile there were 80,000 in attendance. “How many killed?” he asked. “None,” we said again. “I don’t believe it,” he responded. After the first delegations arrived and he saw that they were all well dressed and orderly, he said: “Now I understand why you don’t need police at your convention.”

      At a hotel where 1,500 delegates stayed, the brothers got together in the evenings in the hotel lobby and sang Kingdom songs in several languages. The spirit of this warm international family was truly impressive to onlookers. At the close of the convention itself, the farewell waving of handkerchiefs, the interchanges of gifts, and, of course, the many tears after the closing song deeply moved those who were present. No one wanted to leave even long after the program had ended.

      Two more international conventions were scheduled, for Kenya. Nearly 4,000 delegates came from 44 countries, swelling the total attendance to 17,875. The whole of Nairobi, as well as other parts of the country, was buzzing with excitement as the brothers displayed their lapel badges and witnessed informally.

      In South Africa, four international conventions were held simultaneously—in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and Pretoria. The combined attendance for the public lecture on Sunday was 75,312, and 1,360 were baptized. In addition, 20 smaller district conventions were held in South Africa and other lands served by the South Africa branch, thus more than doubling the above figures.

      These conventions were special, as it was the first time that South Africa had had the opportunity to welcome so many delegates from other countries. Visitors came from 34 lands, including Japan, Britain, the United States, Suriname, and various parts of Europe. There were also two buses filled with joyful delegates from Zambia and one bus from Mozambique.

      The various language groups met in separate halls. But between sessions they enjoyed associating and eating together. It was heartwarming to see people of different races talking excitedly, sharing little gifts, exchanging addresses, and hugging one another. Here was visible evidence of the foretold unity among Jehovah’s people.—Zeph. 3:9; John 10:16.

      When delegates from the United States and Japan arrived at Louis Botha Airport in Durban, some 2,000 local Witnesses were on hand to welcome them with Kingdom songs. The brothers warmly greeted one another and embraced. Some of the other tourists who had arrived with the delegates did not want to go on to their hotels, preferring to remain and witness this remarkable scene. Among those watching was a prominent political leader. In conversation with some of the brothers, he said: “If we had the same spirit of unity as you, we would have solved our problems long ago.”

      The joy and the love, the genuine international brotherhood, experienced at all those conventions as well as at the ones held earlier in Kiev, Ukraine, and in Moscow, Russia, can be both seen and felt by anyone watching the Watch Tower Society’s new video entitled United by Divine Teaching.

      Only a few hundred—instead of thousands—of international delegates were invited to the convention in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in January, but the joy, the enthusiasm, and the love manifested there was no less than at the larger conventions. What a privilege it was for those who were present at that gathering of proved integrity-keepers! Details are reported in the August 15, 1994, Watchtower.