United in Faith Woldwide!

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 1992, Romeoville, Illinois, has seen thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses stream in for their conventions each summer, taking over hotels and filling restaurants during their stay.

The Cortes family, from Chicago, makes the conventions a priority. Although they live within commuting distance, they stay in nearby hotels to make it easier to arrive at the sessions on time. Jael Cortes has multiple sclerosis.

“She was diagnosed back in 2005, six months before we got married,” said Kevin. “Unfortunately, her disease has progressively gotten worse. She went from being able to walk with a cane all the way down to now having to depend on a scooter to get around.”

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.

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.

When Diego Cortes, 9, was asked how he felt about the change to a virtual format last summer he said: “I miss saying hi and bye to the millions of people around.” He quickly added that he liked the online convention, too. “It feels

like a video marathon, because there are like a lot of videos showing up that help you.”

Jael agreed: “I miss, honestly, rolling around and seeing friends. Just getting that hug, getting that love in person.” However, she appreciated the ease of watching the program from the comfort of their home.

Kevin remarked that each convention benefits the entire family. “They remind us to be mild-spirited, to be calm, to have it in our hearts so that it can be in the hearts of our children, too.”

Together the family eagerly looks forward to the 2021 virtual convention, and each is busy writing and calling neighbors to invite them to the sessions, too.

“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, please contact Jehovah’s Witnesses United States at (718) 560-5600 or pid@jw.org.

Please click here to view a short video recap of our local assembly history:

https://player.vimeo.com/video...