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Witness convention focuses on a message rarely heard: Stay close to God

Thursday 26 August 2010, 9:25PM

By Tim Knapp

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CHRISTCHURCH

In a world where some powerful and influential voices in academia and media dismiss or disparage belief in God, Jehovah’s Witnesses are proclaiming the importance of such belief, actually promoting the strengthening of one’s personal attachment to God. The Witnesses will present an intriguing approach to the topic as a clarion call to the faithful as well as an analysis of faith and reason at their 2010 “Remain Close to Jehovah!” District Convention. The convention is scheduled to begin tomorrow at the CBS Canterbury Arena.

The convention will be presented as encouragement for those who already believe in God and wish to deepen their spirituality. However, the program will also feature parts that respectfully examine different
attitudes nonbelievers have toward God and misconceptions that hinder many from developing an intimate friendship with God. The Witnesses believe that a careful reading of Bible passages can reveal much about God’s personality and how humans can draw close to a God they cannot see.

The Friday morning session will feature the keynote address, “How Jehovah Draws Close to Us.” On Friday afternoon, most of the programwill focus on how family members can enhance their communication with one another based on their individual relationships with God. The session will conclude by focusing on why faith in God must be built on fact and reason, taking a closer look at evidence supporting what is stated in the Bible at Romans 1:20.

Saturday’s program will feature positive steps one can take to protect one’s spirituality and one’s relationship with God. This point will be especially emphasized on Saturday morning, when local residents who studied these and other Bible topics in detail will publicly symbolize their personal dedication to God during a baptism ceremony. This ordination of new ministers will include a discussion based on Galatians 4:9.

On Sunday morning, a fast-moving series of talks will provide a fresh examination of eight aspects of God’s appealing personality as revealed in the Scriptures. The public discourse, entitled “How Can You Draw Close to God?” will address several questions, such as: Does God exist? If so, has he communicated with mankind? By what means? A special feature on Sunday afternoon will be a full-costume drama set in the first century, focusing on God’s desire to deliver those close to him when he brings an end to wickedness on earth.

Jehovah’s Witnesses invite everyone to attend and learn more about these topics. All three days of the convention, the program sessions begin at 9:20 a.m. Admission is free, and no collections will be taken.

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For media enquiries please contact:
Tim Knapp
Phone: 021 156 6405
Email: tim at emergetec dot com
Website: www.jw-media.org