July
2007
But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts,
always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to
give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness
and reverence - 1 Peter 3:15
Witness Convention San Diego
This year the Jehovah's Witnesses are hosting 287 conventions in 75 cities throughout the United States. In Brooklyn, New York (Watch Tower headquarters), there will be 16 weekends of conventions in 4 languages!
The San Diego convention was 2 weekends in June. One in English and one in Spanish. Until just a few days before the convention, I wasn't sure I would go. I had even paid for 10 permits to be inside the stadium on the perimeter sidewalk. It seemed every time my hopes would get up, those that said they wanted to help had to cancel.
I felt strongly that I should go witnessing somewhere in San Diego on that date. I asked "the amazing Ricky" if he wanted to go on that Saturday to Horton Plaza (a shopping mall downtown San Diego). Of course Ricky was eager to do it and we made plans to meet at noon.
Just 2 days before the convention, Leon Brown, his wife and a friend said they wanted to go to the JW convention and try and talk with witnesses. I had already planned NOT to go since I didn't want to go alone, but this seemed to be the answer to my prayers that God would provide at least one person to go with me. Although Dianna has always been extremely supportive on all our outreaches over the years, this one is one that she prefers to remain at home in prayer. This is fi ne with me because this is not an ordinary witnessing event.
So, long story short, I decided to do BOTH events. Horton Plaza at noon, and at 5 p.m. Qualcomm stadium as the witnesses departed. Then back to the stadium on Sunday evening.
Leon is an incredibly bold warrior for Christ. His preferred method in witnessing is "open air preaching." He takes a little stool and stands on it and shares the gospel. He asked if this was acceptable and I said "I don't know why not." He prepared a talk concerning the deity of Christ and the need to come to Him in repentance and faith. I decided to challenge witnesses concerning John 20:28 and Thomas' statement that Jesus is God.
It was almost comical as witnesses not only ignored the tracts, but also had to try and ignore what they were hearing. Saturday, not one witness would take the tracts. One of the elders told me that the attendance was about 16,000 per day. Sunday, maybe 15 tracts taken but most were thrown away. There were a few taken that I know were read. Perhaps God will make Himself known to them.
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Leon put together a 6-minute video clip of the event and posted it on a number of web sites. "Google video" is one of those. Just search for "2007 Jehovah Witness Convention" and see the San Diego video.
Photocopy of the invitation flyer that JWs are distributing
across the nation. A witness of 47 years gave me one
for the District Convention hear in San Diego.
Inside the stadium on Saturday. This photo reveals
about a third
of the total attendees
The girl in white willingly took the John 20:28 tract but was
pressured by her friends to throw it away.
JW parents with their 4 children. It would be better that a millstone
be placed around their neck and cast in the sea than offend
one of these little ones.
Leon with the only sign talking to a JW.
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