Transcripts: Governing Body Updates

Transcript: 2024 Governing Body Update #6
(Gage Fleegel. Governing Body)
Gage: Welcome, brothers and sisters! Since our last report, we’ve had seven more special conventions.
(Various photos of different conventions named)
They were held in Philadelphia, United States; Sofia, Bulgaria; Suva, Fiji; Lyon, France; Asunción, Paraguay; Tampa, United States; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
(Groups of happy Friends with wide smiles)
More than 16,000 delegates travelled from 101 countries to attend these conventions.
(The attendees stand and sing)
There was a combined peak attendance of over 98,000.
(A happy woman after baptism, brothers hug in a baptism pool)
And 859 were baptized. In Paraguay, there are currently about 11,500 publishers. Nearly 2,000 delegates were invited to attend the special convention.
(Delegates wave)
Remarkably, though, the peak attendance was 28,617! Clearly, there’s much potential for growth. In fact, 293 were baptized at this convention alone!
(Holding towels the Friends line up awaiting baptism)
That’s the largest baptism at one location in the history of our work in Paraguay. Jehovah has truly blessed these special conventions. Two more remain for 2024, and we look forward to 19 special conventions for the 2025 series. Here’s a brief legal update. On September 17, 2024, the 17 judges of the Grand Chamber of the European Court
(Sky View of Court building)
of Human Rights ruled in favor of Sister Pindo Mulla,
(Photo of happy couple)
who was given blood transfusions in Spain against her wishes. Despite our sister’s clear oral and written refusal, a judge in Spain allowed doctors to proceed. The Grand Chamber concluded that this violated her rights. It confirmed that patients have the fundamental right to choose their own medical care. What makes this decision especially significant is that it was issued by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. The Grand Chamber issues decisions only when a case is considered to be groundbreaking. Thus, this decision obligates 46 countries in Europe to respect patients’ health-care choices. We’re grateful to the Grand Chamber for this decision. Above all, we thank Jehovah for this legal victory, which will benefit all of our brothers and sisters in Europe as they make informed medical decisions. This significant ruling reminds us how vital it is to discuss our personal medical choices with our doctor and to put these choices in writing, just as our faithful sister did. During this month, September 2024, we’ve all been involved in a global campaign to start Bible studies using the Enjoy Life Forever! brochure. What a joy to be united with our brothers and sisters worldwide in this campaign! Note a couple of experiences. Hannelore is an 84-year-old pioneer sister in Austria. Because of her health, she can’t preach from door to door for long periods of time. However, she decided to offer a Bible course to people who had responded positively to her visits before. She thought of six people and visited them. She was very happy to demonstrate the Bible course with all six people. The result? All six agreed to continue the course in the coming days. In the Philippines, while witnessing from house to house, two publishers approached a woman named Josie who was doing laundry in front of her apartment. Since Josie was busy, she told the publishers to talk instead to her adult son and nephew who were inside. Using the direct approach, the publishers started a Bible study right away with both the son and the nephew. As the Bible study was being demonstrated, Josie’s niece also joined in the discussion and the publishers offered her a Bible study, which she readily accepted. Now with three persons involved in the initial Bible study session, Josie became more curious and also wanted to join in the conversation. Josie too accepted a Bible study. However, before the two publishers ended the initial study session, a fifth family member, Josie’s daughter, was moved to ask what they were discussing. Taking advantage of yet another opportunity, the publishers offered her a Bible study, which she immediately accepted. In all, five family members from one household accepted the offer to have a Bible study using the direct approach. Clearly, Jehovah has blessed our efforts to offer Bible studies during the campaign. But we want to continue to focus on starting Bible studies. Brothers and sisters don’t lose the momentum of this campaign! Ride the wave of enthusiasm. Continue to offer Bible studies at every appropriate opportunity. What can help us to do so? Although public witnessing is an important aspect of our ministry and Bible studies sometimes result, we encourage all to share regularly in the house-to-housework. And remember, we will have better results if we call at times when people are more likely to be home. This gives us more opportunities to start conversations that lead to Bible studies. Why not try the direct approach when it seems appropriate? While sharing in the ministry one evening, a brother in Germany spoke with a man who is about 35 years old. The brother asked him, “When did you last read the Bible?” The man replied, “This morning.” They talked about why the Bible is valuable, using Micah 4:3, 4 as an example. Then, they discussed lesson 01 of the Enjoy Life Forever! brochure. The man’s children were present and read the Bible verses aloud. The man agreed to start the Bible course. In addition, many have started studies by witnessing informally to relatives, neighbors, coworkers, shopkeepers, and so forth. In Tanzania, a sister named Elizabeth started four new studies during the first days of the campaign. One was with a woman who has a small café across the street from the Kingdom Hall. Elizabeth frequently stopped in her shop for tea or to purchase small items, and she decided to offer her a study using the direct approach. They watched the video Welcome to Your Bible Study, and the woman was delighted. She said, “We should start right now!” She also included her daughter and her niece in the demonstration of the study. Elizabeth was very pleased that she also attended a congregation meeting. When asked what she thought of the meeting, the woman said: “That’s what I love about Jehovah’s Witnesses. “They study the Bible. When I go to other churches, they just sing and preach but don’t study the Bible. I really loved it. I will try to come regularly.” We are happy to hear these positive experiences. Our time in the ministry is valuable, and we want to use it wisely. As 1 Corinthians 9:26 says: “Therefore, the way I am running is not aimlessly; the way I am aiming my blows is so as not to be striking the air.” We love to give Jehovah our best. In addition to having a regular share in the house-to-house work what else can help us? In some areas, publishers have many return visits. But perhaps we need to consider prayerfully if our return visits are productive. Are such individuals growing in their love of the truth? Do they truly appreciate our visits? Are they interested in a Bible study? If not, perhaps we are “striking the air.” It might be best to redirect our efforts. Those individuals will have another opportunity to hear the good news when the territory is worked again. Of course, balance, patience, and discernment are needed. But we want to be sure we are making the best use of our time.
(A brother and man watch a video on a tablet during a Bible study)
Similarly, we might ask ourselves, ‘Are my Bible students making progress?’
(The video in sign language. The man watches intently and smiles)
Prayerfully consider: Are they accepting Bible truths?
(A sister and woman in a garden laugh and talk)
Are they beginning to apply what they learn and to make changes where needed?
(Two happy couples study together on the front porch)
Have they begun to attend congregation meetings? Are they speaking with others about what they learn? If they are not progressing, it would be best to spend our time and energy seeking out those who are “rightly disposed for everlasting life.” So, brothers and sisters, let’s continue to offer Bible studies at every opportunity! In many places around the world, we’re seeing an increase of Bible studies and tremendous growth. For example, at a recent convention in Madagascar with over 21,000 in attendance, 419 were baptized. Also, the Philippines reports that during the 2024 service year, they had 5 percent growth. What’s been the result? For the first time, they reported more than 260,000 publishers. The number of studies has grown to over 252,000, and 12,201 were baptized during the service year; 120 new congregations and 15 new circuits were formed! Amazing! Wherever you may live, we think of Jesus’ words at John 4:35: “Lift up your eyes and view the fields, that they are white for harvesting.” Also, Jesus said to his disciples at Matthew 9:37, 38: “Yes, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” The fields are certainly “white for harvesting” in many places around the world. Of course, that raises the question, how can we individually expand our share in the preaching and teaching work? Clearly, we each have different circumstances.
(Two sisters speak to a lady at a door)
But could you look for opportunities to serve as an auxiliary pioneer?
(One shows a video on her phone)
Could you reach out and become a regular pioneer? If you’re already pioneering, could you serve where there is a greater need, perhaps even in another land? Have you considered applying to attend the School for Kingdom Evangelizers?
(A hand turns pages in a Bible, the audience in the background)
Some graduates of that school are used as temporary special pioneers,
(A couple demonstrate presenting a tract)
special pioneers, 
(Two sisters speak with a lady outside holding a large bowl of baguettes on her head)
circuit overseers, and missionaries. Truly, there are so many opportunities to reach out in Jehovah’s service according to our own individual circumstances. The book Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will, chapter 10, discusses many ways we can expand our ministry. If we test Jehovah out in this way, we can be certain of his blessing. So, what have we discussed? Keep the momentum of our special campaign going. Continue to offer Bible studies at every opportunity. We also discussed the thrilling increases we’re seeing in many parts of the world. May we all continue to pray that ‘the Master sends out more workers into the harvest.’ And may we continue to do our personal best to preach and teach “the good news of the Kingdom.” Be assured that we cherish each and every one of you dear brothers and sisters. From the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, this is JW Broadcasting.
(Logo inside a White box. Black capital letters JW.ORG. Copyright 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania)