Jackson Area Witnesses Return to Knocking on Doors Despite Water Issue

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Jackson resumed their trademark door-to-door ministry on September 1 when a two-and-half-year suspension of their work officially lifted, just in time to begin a global campaign featuring a new interactive Bible study program.

The decision to resume their door-to-door ministry marks a complete return of all pre-pandemic in-person activities for the 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States. This is especially important to some 1,500 Jehovah’s Witnesses within the 12 congregations in the Jackson area who, despite the recent flooding and water issues, are determined to get back to their volunteer ministry.

“Local congregations of Witnesses were prepared for natural disasters and were able to assist each other and those in the community during these difficult times,” said James King, a Jehovah’s Witness volunteer who assists in organizing the public ministry. He added, “We are ready to bring a message of comfort to those effected by the current situation. Not only here in Jackson but worldwide.” Witnesses are even planning for a return to their in-person conventions, a hallmark of the faith.

“We’ve locally been affected by weather events, storms, flooding, and the issue of water. It can take an emotional and physical toll on people… the way we are impacted it causes a certain amount of anxiety. We are getting out to our neighbors because the Bible provides a hope and a future,” Jackson resident Terence Moore explained.

Shirley Harper, also of Jackson, was happy to resume the door-to-door activity and check on her neighbors. “It was a day I was looking forward to. Not having water was not going to interfere.”

The suspension of the public ministry was a proactive response by the organization to keep communities and congregants safe during the pandemic. Before Covid-19, Jehovah’s Witnesses had been preaching from house to house without interruption for more than 100 years.

“We believe that the early decision to shut down all in-person activities for more than two years has saved many lives,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “We’re now ready and eager to reconnect with our neighbors once again –
person-to-person, face-to-face. It’s not the only way that we preach, but it has historically been the most effective way to deliver our message of comfort and hope.”

The move coincides with a global campaign to distribute a new interactive Bible study program available in hundreds of languages at no cost. The program comes in the form of a book, online publication or as an embedded feature within the organization’s free mobile
application, JW Library. Released in late 2020, the interactive study platform combines text, video, illustrations and digital worksheets to help learners of all ages.

“This new study program is designed to match the learning needs of the 21st-century student,” said Hendriks. “We’re excited to begin sharing it with our neighbors as we return to making personal visits.”

The pandemic forced Jehovah’s Witnesses to quickly pivot to virtual meetings and conventions, while conducting their ministry exclusively through letters, phone calls and virtual Bible studies. However, meeting attendance and the number of congregants has
grown in the Jackson area, and Mississippi by extension, during that time. As regards returning to their neighbors during the current water crisis, Harper, mentioned earlier, related, “They needed hope, they needed refreshment, they needed courage.”

“Right now, they need hope because things are so bad, not only with the water crisis but with crime, and this virus, and a new virus. They need to hear some good news,” said Dora Glaspie, another long-time Jehovah’s Witness volunteer.

For more information about Jehovah’s Witnesses, their history, beliefs and activities, visit their official website, jw.org, with content available in more than 1,000 languages.