Breaking a century-old tradition, the largest convention organization in the world has moved its annual in-person event to a virtual format for the second time in as many years, canceling nearly 6,000 conventions in 240 lands.
For decades, Jehovah’s Witnesses from West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky have streamed to the Charleston Coliseum and Civic Center for multi-day programs on such topics as love, joy, courage, and endurance. This year, the world’s largest convention organization will emphasize faith, including how modern-day Christians can learn the quality from notable women of the Bible.
“These beautiful examples of faithful women in the Bible remind us that God doesn’t only use men to carry out his will,” says Rita Sizemore who attends the South Beckley Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “He has used many women to save his worshipers, their families, and even at times whole nations. These Bible accounts truly show how much Jehovah respects and trusts faithful women.”
Some names will be familiar to those who watch the program, which is being streamed free of charge in more than 500 languages across 240 lands. Women such as Sarah, Rahab and Mary are well known to Bible readers. But other less prominent — though no less important — women will feature on the program as well, according to organization representatives.
“Sometimes the Bible is thought of as a male-centric book,” said Garrett Johnson, a local representative of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. “But Jesus taught his apostles to imitate the examples of faithful women, and we are still learning from the examples of faith women today.”
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly interrupted Jehovah’s Witnesses’ convention tradition, moving the international religious organization to cancel in-person events throughout the world and launch a global virtual program. It was a first for Jehovah’s Witnesses, who have held public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers and theaters around the world since 1897.
“Powerful by Faith!” is the theme of the 2021 global event, which is being delivered over six weekends during July and August to some 15-20 million expected viewers. The weekend program dedicated to women of strong faith will be available for streaming or download beginning August 9 and will remain indefinitely on the organization’s website.
“Faith has helped our global brotherhood to continue to thrive even during a pandemic,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Our faith will continue to unite us in worship — even virtually — as millions gather in private homes around the world to enjoy a powerful and inspiring spiritual program.”
All are invited to attend the event by going to www.jw.org on the web or JW Broadcasting on the free JW Library app available for iOS or Android, or on streaming platforms such as ROKU TV, Apple TV and others. The program is free and accessible to all. The schedule for download and global streaming is listed below.
For more information, please contact Jehovah’s Witnesses United States at (718) 560-5600 or pid@jw.org.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.