United in Faith Worldwide!

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

Since 1959, thousands of Delawareans have flocked to Philadelphia to attend the annual summer convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Aside from the few occasions at Wilmington’s Delaware Park in the ‘70s and ‘80s, conventions were held for years at the Connie Mack and Veterans Stadiums, and more recently at Temple University’s Liacouras Center. In 2020, the pandemic unexpectedly interrupted that tradition moving the international religious organization to cancel in-person conventions throughout the world and launch a global virtual event. This 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 will be delivered in more than 500 languages to households throughout the globe over six weekends during July and August 2021, uniting some 15-20 million people in 240 countries. Since the convention is typically held from Friday through Sunday, the program will be available in six installments corresponding to morning and afternoon sessions. “Friday” morning’s session will be available for streaming or download beginning June 28, 2021.

Since 2015, Joe Ross Jr., from the Brandywine Hundred area of Northern Delaware, was part of the convention committee that spent months every year organizing the in-person event that spanned three weekends. “Planning typically begins about seven months in advance,” he said. The convention committee and their assistants, along with hundreds of volunteers helping with the pre-convention set-up, joined an average of 6,500 people who attended each day, totaling nearly 20,000. “People of all ages and races unitedly come together for three days of Bible instruction. It’s a joyous occasion,” said Ross.

Ross’ entire family treasured this event, including his 15-year-old son, Caleb, who at a young age experienced firsthand the greater happiness in giving. “Caleb has always valued volunteering for pre-convention work. It’s a wonderful opportunity for him to form friendships, and he looks forward to it every year.”

In July 2020, the initial disappointment felt by Ross’ family over the canceled tradition was soon replaced with a newfound joy: a virtual convention at home. After citing the benefits of fewer distractions and the ability to pause, rewind, and discuss, Ross concluded, “We loved it! I’ve never taken better notes, never absorbed it more. It was a real blessing that we enjoyed as a family.”

Joe, Dawn, and Caleb Ross (right) with friends at the 2019 “Love Never Fails” Convention

The planning and translation of a program of this magnitude takes months of effort. With the uncertainty of whether it would be safe to bring thousands of people together in cities around the world, the organization opted for a virtual platform for the second consecutive year. However, the move has not curbed the enthusiasm for the annual event. Congregations around the world are inviting the public to join them in this historic occasion.

“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 like 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, visit:https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs...