Emma Patterson has been knocking on doors and visiting neighbors as part of her volunteer ministry since she was a small child. That abruptly changed in the spring of 2020 when Jehovah’s Witnesses suspended their in-person public ministry, meetings and large conventions.
Two years later, the Jones County resident is more involved in her ministry than ever. “I’m definitely a lot busier,” says Patterson, a senior in high school, who now spends at least 5 days a week reaching out to her community with a message of comfort.
“Staying active in our ministry while remaining safe has had a powerful preserving effect on our congregants and communities,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “The wise decision not to prematurely resume in-person activities has united us and protected lives while comforting many people in great need. The results speak for themselves.”
For congregants like Patterson, the virtual pivot has meant an adjustment in methods; less driving through the rural areas of Jones County and more phone conversations and letter writing. “It definitely helps us reach more people..by telephone witnessing we’re able to catch them at good times,” Patterson explains.
Patterson feels it is all worth the effort. “We’re trying to spread a positive message during hard times and everyone needs good news so I think it's very important.”
Last year, the international organization reported all-time peaks in the number of people participating in their volunteer preaching work, increased attendance in Zoom meetings and more than 171,000 new believers baptized. In the past two years, more than 400,000 have been baptized worldwide.
Some whose ministry or attendance at religious services had slowed because of age and poor health said they feel reenergized with the convenience of virtual meetings and a home-based ministry.
The official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses, translated into more than 1,000 languages, has also leveraged the organization’s outreach.
To start an online Bible study course, receive a visit or attend a virtual meeting locally, visit www.jw.org.
