• Ukraine
    2002 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

    • Outstanding International Convention

      Another momentous event was the “Divine Teaching” International Convention held in Kiev in August 1993. The attendance of 64,714 was the largest for any convention ever held in Ukraine and included thousands of delegates from over 30 different countries. English presentations of the program were simultaneously translated into 16 languages.

      How thrilling it was to witness brothers and sisters in five full sections of the stadium stand to answer yes to the two baptism questions! During the two and a half hours that followed, 7,402 persons were baptized in six baptismal pools, the largest number baptized at any one convention in the modern-day history of God’s people! This outstanding event will always be remembered and treasured by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

      How was it possible to organize such a large convention with only 11 congregations in the city? As in previous years, the brothers from Poland came to help in the Rooming Department. Together with the local brothers, they made contracts with as many hotels and dormitories as possible, even renting some riverboats.

      The most complicated task was to obtain permission to rent the stadium. In addition to sporting events, the stadium served as a big marketplace on the weekends, and no one had ever received permission to close the market. However, permission was granted.

      Even the city authorities formed a special committee to help the brothers in their preparation work. This committee included chiefs of different city services, such as police, transportation, and tourism. A unique arrangement was made to transport the convention delegates within the city. The brothers paid in advance for public transportation so that those with convention badges would not have to pay when boarding but could do so at the convention. Thus, the brothers could quickly board the subways, trams, and city buses when traveling to and from the Republican (now Olympic) Stadium, one of the largest in Eastern Europe. For the convenience of convention delegates, additional bakeries were opened in the neighborhood surrounding the stadium so that the brothers could quickly obtain food for the next day.

      The chief of police was so amazed at the orderliness of the convention that he remarked: “Everything you have done, along with your good behavior, has impressed me even more than your preaching. People may forget what they heard, but they will never forget what they saw.”

      Several women working at a nearby subway station came to the convention administration office in order to thank the delegates for their good behavior. The women remarked: “We have worked here for many sporting and political events, but this was the first time we saw such polite and happy visitors that took an interest in us. They all greeted us. We are not accustomed to receiving greetings at other events.”

      The congregations in Kiev were kept busy after the convention, since some 2,500 addresses were turned in by interested people who wanted to learn more. There are now more than 50 congregations of zealous Witnesses in Kiev!

      One group of brothers traveling to the convention was robbed of all their possessions. Nevertheless, being determined to enrich themselves spiritually, they decided to continue their travel to Kiev, arriving at the convention with only the clothing they were wearing. However, a group of brothers from the former Czechoslovakia brought extra clothing for any who might be in need. When this was brought to the attention of the convention administration, the brothers who had been robbed were quickly supplied with all necessary clothing.