Jehovah’s Witnesses are well-known for their door-to-door ministry, finding people anywhere to share the Bible’s message. PHOTOS FROM JW PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
MANILA, Philippines—Mask-wearing Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) are back knocking on doors starting Sept. 1, two years after the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to stay at home and continue their public ministry online.
Their return to neighborhood doorsteps this Thursday also marks the launch of their global campaign to offer free interactive Bible course to people in different languages, including the Filipino sign language for the deaf.
Recognizing that COVID remains to be a threat, the Philippines branch of JWs based in Quezon City has directed its more than 250,000 fully vaccinated members to strictly follow public health protocols such as wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing, and hand sanitizing.
“The public has now recognized that the presence of COVID-19 cannot hinder us to live as normally as possible,” said James Ryan Morales, spokesperson for JWs in the Philippines.
“That is the same with our sharing the Bible’s message. With proper adherence to safety protocols and local government laws, Jehovah’s Witnesses will do their best to reach out to people wherever possible,” said Morales.
“The Bible’s comforting message can help overcome the anxieties we feel because of the pandemic and other world events,” he said.
Although many JWs are excited to converse with people again face to face, not all members can join the door-to-door ministry, which the JWs are known for, because of health reasons.
Morales said each member will decide whether it’s advisable to participate or not. Since door-to-door ministry is just one avenue of sharing the Bible’s message to others, one may opt to continue participating in a non-physical manner, such as writing letters and contacting friends online.
He assured the public that JWs, who are organized in 3,542 congregations in 20 languages across the country, will continue to be personally conscious of their health condition and adhere to local laws in their visits.
For households that won’t welcome visits at this time, Morales said: “We will respect their feelings because we love them.”
JWs conducted an average of five million Bible courses around the globe during each month of last year. The program offers a practical way to learn what the Bible teaches on a variety of subjects, like happiness, evil, suffering and the Bible’s look at the future.
Participating in interactive Bible courses with JWs comes without any obligation, Morales said.
“We simply present what the Bible teaches and allow each person to determine his own personal beliefs and life choices,” he said.