Jehovah’s Witnesses return to live events
Christian group resumes all in-person events and community ministry activities
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HARRISBURG -- After nearly three years, one Christian organization has made a full return to large events and community outreach programs. In March 2020, Jehovah's Witnesses suspended their gatherings and all in-person forms of their volunteer work out of concern for the health and safety of the community.
"We believe that the early decision to shut down all in-person activities for more than two years has saved many lives," said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesperson for Jehovah's Witnesses. "We're now ready and eager to reconnect with our neighbors once again - person-to-person, face-to-face. It's not the only way that we preach, but it has historically been the most effective way to deliver our message of comfort and hope."
In Harrisburg, Jehovah's Witnesses made that "face-to-face" connection with hundreds of Pennsylvania residents at the seven-day annual Farm Show. Their booth offered free Bible-based literature on timely subjects such as family life and coping with anxiety.
Kyle Teague, who helped oversee the project, noted the personal benefits of being visible at such a large event. "The Farm Show draws a lot of families," he said. "We have information with advice on living a happy family life, being a better husband, wife, parent - all based on the Bible. Ultimately, happy families lead to happy communities."
Even though the Farm Show is only one week, similar literature displays are used at other events, in parks and even on busy sidewalks to bring the Bible's message of hope to communities throughout our state.
The start of 2023 also marked a return to large, in-person conferences of Jehovah's Witnesses. In Pennsylvania, assembly halls in Buckingham, Coraopolis and Grantville returned to full operation.
"We plan to hold events almost every weekend of 2023 at our Pennsylvania assembly hall sites," said King Whetstone, local spokesperson for Jehovah's Witnesses. "We anticipate thousands of visitors to attend more than 50 events ranging in length between one and three days. These events provide spiritual instruction to people and have a positive effect on their communities as a whole."
"Making a proactive nationwide decision to close our houses of worship to in-person events protected both our congregants and our communities," said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesperson for Jehovah's Witnesses. "However, our in-person assemblies and conventions are a highlight of our annual calendar and an important part of our worship. We are excited to be back."
Local Jehovah's Witnesses are eager to return. "For three generations, it's been a place that has stayed very dear to our hearts," said Susquehanna Valley resident Jonathan Stewart, who will be attending assemblies in Grantville. "The assembly hall is really a focal point of the community."
York resident Rainee Ruhlman agrees. "Nothing compares to face-to-face interaction with long-time friends," he said. "I've watched my children grow and build successful lives as a result of the teaching and association they received at the assembly hall."
The Christian denomination now operates 45 assembly halls across the United States, including three in Pennsylvania. While many of these assembly halls are also used for annual three-day conventions during the summer months, the Witnesses generally contract with private and public arenas and convention centers like the Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia, Santander Arena in Reading and the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre to accommodate more attendees from a wider geographic region.
Entry at all events is always free. Details are available on the organization's official website, jw.org.