Sat, Nov 22, 2008
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Jerry Swilley and his wife, Ursula, traveled from Cottonwood, between Prescott and Sedona, to attend the Jehovah's Witnesses conference in Tucson.
Photos by Jill Torrance / Arizona Daily Star
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Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.07.2008
Thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses are increasing their annual presence in Tucson this summer.
Members of the faith will hold seven weekend conferences at the Tucson Convention Center — an increase over the typical three or four held in prior years. Each weekend is expected to attract at least 7,000 people.
They've added gatherings to accommodate Phoenicians, who won't be having their own events this year.
The first of the three-day weekend conferences, titled "Guided by God's Spirit," began Friday. Similar events are being held in 76 cities throughout the United States this summer.
Attendees at the local event come from all over Arizona, as well as New Mexico and Texas.
The first four programs, on consecutive weekends in June, are all in English. The final three programs, scheduled for the weekends of July 11, Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, are for Spanish speakers. Organizers say the public is invited to all the events.
It's the 33rd year that Jehovah's Witnesses have gathered in Tucson for their regional convention. Attendees range in age from toddlers to men and women in their 80s and 90s.
The National Council of Churches reports Jehovah's Witnesses are the fastest-growing faith group in the country, adding new members at a rate of 2.25 percent per year.
A study published this year by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life says Jehovah's Witnesses also have the lowest retention rate of any religious tradition, with only 37 percent of all those who say they were raised in the faith still identifying as Jehovah's Witnesses.
Local leaders say the retention study does not sound accurate. They cite a need for more worship space because of growth.
Rather than churches, Jehovah's Witnesses meet in buildings called Kingdom Halls.
The Tucson area has 16, including one recently constructed on the Northwest Side. Plans are under way to build another on the South Side in the fall.
Spokesmen for the local event — Tucson elder Roy Makin and Phoenix elders Gil Garcia and Don Burris — took part Friday in a Q&A session with the Star:
What is a highlight of the weekend events?
Makin: "There's a full costume drama on Sunday. It's at 1:45 p.m. and it's called 'Do not leave the love you had at first.'
"It's about how when you are first introduced to something it's very exciting. Then the excitement can wane. That's when we can begin losing sight of the wisdom found in God's word."
Burris: "We want to see how the drama unfolds. Usually, we try to make part of it a surprise."
Makin: "There's also a symposium on Sunday about cultivating what we call 'the fruitage of the spirit.'
"We talk about fighting temptation, tiredness and discouragement. We'll talk about love, joy, peace, mildness, kindness and faith."
Do Jehovah's Witnesses still knock on doors?
Makin: "Yes!"
Do you believe we are living in the End Times?
Makin: "When we visit people, most respond to that question in the positive."
Garcia: "Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes. Indeed, we are living in what the Bible calls the last days. It should certainly give us pause for thought.
"Our focus as Jehovah's Witnesses is what follows the last days, which is paradise on Earth. … It's the paradise setting that was originally given to Adam and Eve with the Garden of Eden.
"It will be re-established by God here on Earth. That's why we visit our neighbors (door-to-door); it's to delve into God's word, to share it.
Why do you think your faith seems to be growing its membership?
Makin: "So many people feel despair. When they begin reading God's word, it changes into hope."
Garcia: "People are responding to the message. There are great changes in the world, many problems.
"More and more people are telling us they find things are really troublesome. When they learn God's word and the bright hope for the future, they start coming to our meetings."
Since Jehovah's Witnesses don't vote, what do you make of the presidential election drama?
Garcia: "We understand why people are interested in the political process. They are reaching out for good or better government.
"We as Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that the Bible teaches the only government that can bring about the conditions we long for is the government of God. (That's why Jehovah's witnesses don't vote, run for office or serve in the military)."
Makin: "Like the Lord's Prayer: Thy kingdom come, thy will be done …"
● Contact reporter Stephanie Innes, who covers faith and values issues, at 573-4134 or sinnes@azstarnet.com.
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