About 15 million Jehovah’s Witnesses are set to hold their annual convention series in 240 countries from May to September this year, the Christian denomination said in a statement.
In the Philippines, 154 conventions will be held in various cities and towns with expected attendance of about 500,000.
Danilo Calso, media services overseer of the Witnesses, explained that the Bible-based theme, “Be Courageous”!, is timely because people today need courage in the face of so many problems that beset them, such as threat of nuclear war, terrorism, climate change, drug addiction, extra judicial killings, criminality, to name a few.
“During the three-day Bible seminar, talks and video presentations will highlight Scriptural teachings and principles showing how one can learn practical ways to face present and future challenges with courage,” Calso added.
On Friday, the program will start with the keynote address by the convention chairman entitled, “Jehovah-The Source of True Courage,”recalling how God strengthened Joshua when about to lead the Israelites in their dangerous exodus to the Promised Land by exhorting him: “Be courageous and very strong.” (Joshua 1: 7) A symposium entitled, “Why True Christians Need Courage” will discuss practical ways showing how the Witnesses can be courageous when engaging in the preaching activity, when remaining holy amid a permissive society and when maintaining neutrality in a politically divided nation.
On Saturday, the theme is taken from Philippians 1: 14, “Showing all the more courage to speak the words of God fearlessly.” A symposium on how this can be shown by the Christian youth, marriage mate, children, parents, will be presented. The day’s highlight will be the baptism of some 5,000 new Witnesses following the talk entitled , “We Are Not the Sort Who Shrink Back,“ based on the Apostle Paul’s words at Hebrews 10: 39.
On Sunday, the convention delegates will find out why Jesus told a grieving father, “Have no fear.” (Mark 5: 36) This will be the main point of the Bible-based public discourse on the theme, “The Resurrection Hope Imparts Courage-How?” The convention will end with an interesting feature film: “The Story of Jonah-A Lesson in Courage and Mercy,” a moving account on why Jonah feared his assignment and ran away and how God’s mercy gave him courage to finish his task.
The public is encouraged to attend these free-of-charge Bible seminars. Convenient locations can be found by accessing the Witnesses website,www.jw.org.