Jehovah's Witness convention in Amarillo calls for continued loyalty

[Guest Nicole]

By LAUREN KOSKI

lauren.koski@amarillo.com

Bibles, even iPad Bibles, notebooks and small children in hand, families of the Jehovah’s Witnesses gathered in the Amarillo Civic Center Friday morning for the first of a three-day convention focused on urging those in attendance to “Remain Loyal to Jehovah.”

While the theme of loyalty is based off just one word, Erik Stewart said, it has many applications.

“Who would have ever thought, I mean growing up and reading the Bible you hear the world ‘loyalty’ a lot and, for three days, you can talk about loyalty and never actually be repeating the same thing over and over again. It helps you appreciate how many different parts of our lives are affected by this quality.” Stewart is the chairman for this week’s regional convention.

The convention is a microcosm of the worldwide gathering of brothers and sisters in this faith throughout the summer. Jehovah’s Witnesses from Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico trekked to Amarillo for the opportunity to meet with fellow believers and be encouraged in their convictions.

Stewart said the convention’s theme came at a poignant moment in society when Jehovah’s Witnesses are being more and more challenged to hold fast to truths of the Bible, which lay in a different realm of the world around them.

In 35 video segments, produced for each regional convention occurring around the world, attendees were given examples of loyalty and disloyalty to the way of Jehovah – examples of a struggling single mother and another woman faced with the decision to watch mainstream media.

Maria Aguilar said she connected the most with the latter example. Just the other day, Aguilar said she was visiting a friend when they suggested they watch a movie that was not in line with Jehovah’s word.

“I got up and walked away,” said Aguilar, admitting she will now be encouraged even more in her quest for loyalty. Aguilar hopes to begin taking her faith in Jehovah out to Amarillo in an effort to teach and encourage those who do not know Jehovah.

Holding a Bible close, her countenance thoughtful under a wide-brimmed hat, Aguilar read along with the teaching the story of the Israelites in Exodus. From this story, attendees considered how Jehovah repays loyalty with the loyalty of his followers.

Perry Mitchell, who attended the convention with his wife, Lisa, and two children, said the opportunity to bring his entire family to learn more about their faith is something that strengthens them as a family unit.

Mitchell’s twin son and daughter, Josiah and Miriam, 10, were dressed up for the occasion and excited to meet new friends. Miriam’s sweater was covered in scripted letters spelling out “faith.”

The Mitchell family, among the 1,514 other brothers and sisters in attendance, also found strength in numbers, knowing they were striving for loyalty to Jehovah together as a whole.

“It also helps us to be around our spiritual family because we all need that encouragement,” said Mitchell.

The convention will run through the afternoon of June 19 and there is no cost to attend. The same convention for Spanish-speaking believers is set for July 15-17.

Source: http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2016-06-17/jehovahs-witness-convention-calls-continued-loyalty