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Jehovah's Witnesses' Year Without Knocking on Doors

FALLBROOK – It's been one year since Jehovah's Witnesses adjusted their hallmark methods of sharing comfort and hope from the scriptures due to the pandemic.

For many, the change from ringing doorbells and knocking on doors to making phone calls and writing letters expanded and invigorated their ministry.

Paul Mosij from Fallbrook noted a 22% increase in meeting attendance via Zoom in his community. Noting that "visitors are attending our meetings and bringing family members with them."

Sharon Hambek of Bonsall felt nervous in the house-to-house ministry but now feels completely different about talking to her neighbors on the phone.

Hambek has had many positive conversations, noting that "when we call, there is an immediate connection. Our focus is on comforting them."

In March 2020, Witnesses in the United States suspended their door-to-door and face-to-face forms of public ministry and moved congregation meetings to videoconferencing.

"It has been a very deliberate decision based on our respect for life and love of neighbor," said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses. "But we are still witnesses, so we must testify about our faith. It was inevitable that we would find a way to continue our work."

Many have checked in on neighbors as well as distant friends and family – sometimes sharing links to Bible-based articles from the organization's official website, jw.org, on timely topics, such as isolation, depression, and beating pandemic fatigue.

If anything, the pandemic has heightened Witnesses' concern for others, said Hendriks.

"We are finding that people are perplexed, stressed, and feeling isolated. Our work has helped many regain a sense of footing – even normalcy – at a very unsettled time."

Witnesses' virtual meeting attendance is up, but the most significant gains don't have numbers, said Tony Fowler, who helps organize the ministry in part of Michigan. "We've grown in appreciation for other avenues of the ministry, our love for our neighbor, and love for one another. We're a stronger people because of all of this."

For more information on the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses, visit jw.org, with content available in over 1,000 languages.

Submitted by the Jehovah's Witnesses of the United States of America.

 

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