Around 1,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses will flock to St. Croix this month for a weekend convention at the Kingdom Hall in Estate Carlton.
The Witnesses will journey from Tortola, Virgin Gorda, St. Thomas, St. John and Puerto Rico for the assembly that begins July 18.
Willmar Acevedo, convention spokesman, said the Witnesses feel very privileged to hold the convention on St. Croix. He said this is the seventh time it has been held on St. Croix. And in past years the convention has also been held on St. Thomas and Tortola.
“A core belief of Jehovah’s Witnesses, based on Biblical and historical evidence, is that Jesus Christ began to rule as the King of God’s Kingdom in 1914,” Acevedo explained. “The convention program marks this year as the centennial of that event.”
The theme of the program is “Keep Seeking First God’s Kingdom.”
“People of many faiths pray for God’s Kingdom,” Acevedo said. “This convention will explain what that kingdom is and how it can be a positive influence in our lives.”
A highlight of the program, he said, will be the keynote address on July 18, which will discuss how that Kingdom is benefitting people today.
The programs, including two theatrical productions, will be streamed live from Atlanta.
“This is the first time the program will come to us live from Atlanta,” Acevedo said. “It’s very exciting taking advantage of this technology.”
The plays will bring a Bible story and contemporary drama to life. The modern day drama is “Do Not Give the Devil an Opportunity,” based on two Bible passages, Ephesians 4:27 and 1 John 4:11. The Biblical play is based on the Book of Joshua. There will be baptisms, Bible study, music, prayers and international speakers during the three-day convention that ends at 4 p.m. July 20.
The same convention program will be held from Aug. 1 to 3 on St. Croix for Spanish-speaking people. Acevedo said they expect to have around 400 attendees for that convention.
Acevedo said the people will stay at Witnesses’ homes and at local hotels that offered special rates for the convention.
Acevedo said some people don’t appreciate the practice of the Jehovah’s Witnesses going door to door handing out pamphlets and the Watch Tower, a Jehovah’s Witness publication.
“We do this because the Bible commands us to be disciples to encourage people to read the Bible to be spiritually enlightened,” Acevedo explained. There are around 360 Jehovah’s Witnesses on St. Croix.
Acevedo encouraged the St. Croix community to join the Witnesses at the convention. He said there are no admission or registration fees. Conventions of Jehovah Witnesses are supported entirely by voluntary donations.
People can go to www.jw.org for a complete program schedule and to see a video about the conventions, or get more information by calling him at 1-340-513-9149.
