Uniting the World in Faith!

For 33 consecutive summers, David and Dee Anna Michaels of Asheville, N.C. have packed their bags and traveled to cities like Knoxville, Tenn., Johnson City, Tenn., Winston Salem, N.C. and Dalton, Ga., to worship with thousands of fellow Jehovah’s Witnesses for three days. This year, for the second time, they will watch the annual program via internet streaming in their living room.

“It was always the highlight of our year,” said David Michaels. “But when the pandemic hit in 2020, we had to adapt. We will miss being shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of others, but better safe than sorry.”
According to Michaels, having virtual conventions was a first for the international religious organization. “Jehovah’s Witnesses have held public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world since 1897,” he said.
“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. The “Friday” morning session was made available for streaming or download on June 28, 2021, and the final “Sunday” session will be available through August 22.
“There are unexpected advantages to the virtual convention,” said Michaels, who, with his wife, attends the North Asheville Spanish Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “We don’t have the travel and lodging expense, for one thing. Also, we used to volunteer for the various departments necessary to facilitate a large gathering in an arena – parking, cleaning, attendants. Now we get to just sit and watch and listen.’
Michaels added that all congregations throughout the world will be viewing the program at the same time. “There are 10 congregations in Asheville – eight English and two Spanish. We will be viewing the same videos and hearing the same bible-based talks as our brothers in Europe and South America.”
Robert Hendricks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses said the continued risk of bringing thousands of people together in cities around the world prompted the organization to opt 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.
“Faith has helped our global brotherhood to continue to thrive even during a pandemic,” said Hendriks. “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.