“Come to Me, . . . and I Will Refresh You”

Phenomenal Increase Necessitates Quick Expansion

“COME to me, . . . and I will refresh you,” said Jesus Christ. (Matthew 11:28) What a heartwarming invitation from the Head of the Christian congregation! (Ephesians 5:23) When we reflect on those words, we cannot fail to appreciate a vital source of refreshment​—association with our spiritual brothers and sisters at Christian meetings. We certainly agree with the psalmist who sang: “How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”​—Psalm 133:1.

Indeed, our associates at those gatherings for worship are the best, and the spiritual atmosphere is safe and pleasant. For good reason, then, one young Christian said: “I go to school all day long, and it tears me down. But the meetings are like an oasis in the desert, where I am refreshed to make it through the next school day.” A Nigerian youth remarked: “I have found that close association with others who love Jehovah helps me to stay close to him.”

The local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses fills a great need as a center for true worship in the community. In most places, meetings are held at the Kingdom Hall at least twice a week, and Bible students are encouraged to attend as soon as possible so as to benefit from refreshing association there.​—Hebrews 10:24, 25.

Congregations find that when a Kingdom Hall is built, local people realize that Jehovah’s Witnesses are there to stay. Many had seemingly been reluctant to associate with the Witnesses until a suitable place of worship was available. The Nafisi Congregation in Malawi reports: “Now that we have a suitable Kingdom Hall, it is resulting in a fine witness. Therefore, it is easy to start Bible studies.”

Members of the Krake Congregation in Benin endured much ridicule in the past because the former Kingdom Hall was primitive compared with some churches. (Picture 4) Now the congregation has a fine new Kingdom Hall that represents true worship in a modest yet dignified manner. (Picture 5) This congregation had 34 Kingdom publishers with an average attendance of 73 at Sunday meetings, but 651 attended the Kingdom Hall dedication. Most of them were townspeople who were favorably impressed upon seeing that the Witnesses were able to build a hall in just a short time. Reflecting on past developments in this regard, the Zimbabwe branch wrote: “Within one month of building a new Kingdom Hall, attendance usually doubles.”​—Pictures 6 and 7.

Without a doubt, the many new Kingdom Halls help to provide places for the spiritual refreshment of both dedicated Christians and interested people. “We feel a great joy,” said a Witness in Ukraine after the local congregation started using its new Kingdom Hall. “We saw with our own eyes how Jehovah helps his people.”