Jehovah's Witnesses Reach Little Rock with a Modified Ministry

It has been two years since Jehovah’s Witnesses pivoted their public ministry from the signature door knocking to using other methods to reach their neighbors with encouraging messages from the Bible. Today most Witnesses are sharing their inspired message to others using letter writing, telephone calls, emails and even texting. Many Witnesses are also conducting Bible studies virtually via Zoom.

With this historic change, the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses grew 3% in the United States in 2021 alone, matching the most significant increase for the organization over the past decade and the second-largest percentage increase since 1990.

“Staying active in our ministry while remaining safe has had a powerful preserving effect on our congregants and communities,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “The wise decision not to prematurely resume in-person activities has united us and protected lives while comforting many people in great need. The results speak for themselves.”

In Little Rock, Arkansas, things are no different. Seventy-six-year-old Pat Ebah has found much pleasure and success in using these methods to reach her neighbors. For instance, she likes to write a letter, then follow up with a phone call and if she cannot make contact, she will text wherever possible.

Despite being nervous sometimes when speaking to strangers, Pat said, “I think I am actually reaching more people and talking to more and my ministry goes beyond what it was pre-COVID and pre-Zoom.”

One day Pat contacted a lady she had previously studied the Bible with. “When I called her back during the pandemic and offered her a study with emphasis on applying what you are learning and attending meetings, she accepted,” she said.

During the call, Pat learned that the lady’s husband recently died. Pat was able to share comforting thoughts from the Bible, and because of Pat’s regular communication and encouragement, she was able to reignite the lady’s interest in Bible truths. Now the lady has a regular Bible study, and she also attends Sunday meetings virtually via Zoom.

In 2021, the City of Little Rock declared violent crime a public emergency. Joia Burton, another Witness in Little Rock, uses the same methods as Pat but focuses some of her messages to neighbors on the city’s crime problem.

“People need to have something to look forward to and some of the callers that I have talked to have been overwhelmed by the crime,” she said.

When offering a hopeful message to one neighbor, the lady responded, “I needed that.” Joia feels that her messages help the community to have hope when they learn that there is something better ahead.

Beverly Walton, another Witness in Little Rock, finds success in sending personalized handwritten messages from her heart to her neighbors.

When a neighbor’s son died, Beverly said she sent her a condolence card with a nice note in it. “I shared the experience at Luke 7:11-15 because she lost a child,” she related. “I am the mother of four sons and the lady’s son that died was very close to the age of my sons. After a few weeks I contacted the lady by phone, and she told me that she carries my card and my letter in her purse everywhere she goes.” The two made arrangements to talk further.

“I feel my ministry is the best it has ever been. I have been a Witness for almost 45 years, I am reaching more people; I couldn’t be happier.” Beverly said. “A lot more people are home. Many people use cell phones instead of landline phones, so we are able to reach them whether they are at the grocery store or at work.”

Using available technology to call on neighbors during the pandemic “is the closest I can get to doing public witnessing. It’s the next best thing.” Pat added.

“Phone witnessing is allowing me to reach people at times of day or in locations that I would have never reached them before,” Joia added. “Letter writing is effective because a person can reread a letter and many times people keep a letter, especially a handwritten letter.”

Joia said that she’s worked for an agency for 24 years, helping constituents secure funding for projects. “For some of the projects, the results only lasted a few years. With our ministry, I am sharing something with individuals to help them to build a foundation that can last for a lifetime,” she said.

To start an online Bible study course, receive a visit or attend a virtual meeting locally, visit jw.org.