Convention will host 50K from around globe
The scene should be striking. Pools will be placed on the field at NRG Stadium in Houston where people will get baptized.
That’s just one of many images of faith that will emerge as the stadium is transformed into a house of worship for about 49,000 devotees attending the Jehovah’s Witnesses international convention “Love Never Fails.”
From Friday to Sunday, stages at NRG will host speakers from the faith, along with symposiums and a public Bible discourse entitled “True Love in a Hate-Filled World — Where?” Some 5,000 delegates from 28 countries will also attend.
U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses Robert Hendriks explained that conventions are central to worshippers’ practice.
“The conventions allow us to see that our congregations are part of a worldwide brotherhood,” he said. “We realize that we’re not alone.”
Smaller statewide conventions for Jehovah’s Witnesses are planned annually, but larger gatherings with the international community take place every five years.
In 2019, the international conventions will occur from South Africa and Europe to South America and Asia.
The first international convention was held in May in Atlanta, and the final for this year is scheduled for December in Brazil.
“This event lifts our faith,” Hendriks said. “In a world that’s so incredibly divided, you can go to a strange place, where you’ve never been before, and be wel
comed by a stranger. After your first embrace, you become lifelong friends.”
Thousands of volunteers are needed to make the weekend possible. They start at the airport and transport delegates around the city.
The Gaeta family from South Houston — Richard, Korina and their 16-year-old daughter Kozette — are among the 20,000 who signed up to help. They plan to do the same in August when the convention returns to Houston for its Spanish version.
Kozette has already been to the airport with her parents to welcome international delegates. “We have to take care of them and make sure they have the best experience here possible,” she said. “They can go home and say they were in Houston and had the best time.”
Opening their arms to newcomers is one way to show love and honor the event’s theme, Korina added. “Even when we don’t know the language, we can smile and hug,” she said. “This is your home. Mi casa es su casa.”
The Gaetas attended the international convention for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Houston a few years ago and were eager to return. “We didn’t want to miss this opportunity,” Richard said. “It’s electrifying, the atmosphere. We see the city light up.”
The roots of Jehovah’s Witnesses date to the 1870s. At the time, Charles Taze Russell was studying the Bible, in search of Christian truths without any influences from pagan ideologies. He became the founder of the journal, “The Watchtower,” which is still in print. His goal was not to start a new religion but rather to promote teachings of Jesus and early practices of Christian congregations.
In this practice, God is called Jehovah, and witnesses spread his message and adhere to the New and Old Testament of the Bible. Followers worship in Kingdom Halls.
While visiting Houston, Jehovah’s Witnesses from other countries will join their local counterparts in ministry.
“They’ll invite others to the convention,” Hendriks said. “We invite everyone from the neighborhood.”
The event is free of charge and open to the public. “We want folks to come,” Hendriks said. “Even if they never become Jehovah’s Witnesses, we want them to understand that we are their neighbors.”
The international convention is an ideal way to learn more about the religion, he added.
“There are still a lot of people who do not know who Jehovah’s Witnesses are,” Hendriks said. “We really want people to understand.”
One misconception, he explained, is that the faith worships in isolation, when in reality all sermons are open to guests.
“Many people think we are not Christians,” Hendriks said. “We actually practice Christianity every day. Jesus is our lord and savior. We follow everything he said and follow in his footsteps.”
Included in the list of global visitors are missionaries returning to their city of origin.
Robert and Bonita Chapman, for example, have been working on the island Grenada for the past 27 years.
They were looking forward to coming back to Houston to attend the event — and have already connected with Jehovah’s Witnesses from Korea, Sweden, France, the Philippines and the Middle East. Bonita said they share stories about their lives around the world.
Hendriks said the conventions have a monumental effect on attendees. “For most people, it’s the most faith strengthening experience in their lives,” he said. “It’s awesome, beyond what you can envision.”