CAGAYAN DE ORO –Various venues in North Mindanao will be filled once again with Jehovah’s Witnesses who will attend their first in-person assembly, nearly three years after such gatherings were substituted with virtual programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Philippines, there are more than 240,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses.
This year, the assembly features a Bible-based program that develops the theme “Friends of Peace”. For this, the Sinanduloy Gym in Tangub City hosted 1,455 delegates on January 8 while Gingoog City Central High School Multi-purpose Hall saw 977 attendees last Feb. 12. And just last February 18 and 19, thousands of attendees thronged to The Atrium – Limketkai Center, this City. This fine venue will also host 2 other one-day gatherings on March 11 and 12. While the DRER Gymnasium of USTP in CM Recto will also serve as the venue of another assembly on March 11, but this time in Filipino Sign Language.
In 2020, Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide cancelled their in-person gatherings due to COVID-19. During the pandemic, congregation meetings and even conventions and assemblies were held virtually.
Soledad Amado, who recovered from a COVID-19 infection but lost both her father and her husband to the disease, is among those who eagerly anticipate attending the assembly. She said, “My husband and I used to prepare together for these occasions—volunteering in cleaning the venue and preparing food for the other volunteers. He is not with me this time, but I am excited to be with my friends as we listen and benefit from the program. This strengthens me to cope with the challenges I face.”
The “Friends of Peace” assembly is open to the public with no admission fees collected. These gatherings are just the first of a series of programs for this year. Details on when and where these events will be held locally are available on JW.ORG, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
