The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE Jehovah’s Witnesses church on Friday started in-person meetings around the globe, two years after the organisation closed its doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic risks associated with physical meetings.
Since suspending its public ministry on March 20, 2020 the church has been communicating through letters and phone calls while also holding virtual meetings.
In a press statement, spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses of Zimbabwe, Mr John Hunguka said:
“We look forward to meeting in-person all whom we have only met on screen during our virtual meetings. There is a collective shout of joy among Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world right now.
“While we have prospered in many ways as individuals and congregations using technology to bring us together, nothing can adequately replace being together in person. We have longed for this moment for the better part of two years,” Mr Hunguka said.
Since the start of the pandemic Jehovah’s Witnesses spent more than 2 500 000 hours in virtual Bible studies.
Internationally, they released 77 new language translations of the Bible and held two global virtual conventions in more than 500 languages.
To ensure that members maintain Covid-19 safety protocols, the organisation provided guidelines for holding the meetings to all congregations across the country.
“It has been heart-warming to see the peace and unity among Jehovah’s Witnesses during this very divisive time. We know resuming in-person meetings will bring us even closer together. We are anxious to see one another again.”
The move back to in-person meetings precedes two global events the organisation will hold; a special lecture scheduled in most congregations for April 10 and the annual commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ five days later.
