Jehovah's Witnesses in Billings for 3-day convention

[Guest Nicole]

Jehovah’s Witnesses from around the region will gather in Billings for their annual three-day regional conventions.

An estimated 3,500 adults and children from eastern Montana, the western part of North and South Dakota and northern Wyoming will meet Friday through Sunday in the Rimrock Arena at MetraPark. The public is invited to attend any of the meetings at the free gathering.

“It really is the focal point where you get to strengthen yourself,” said local media spokesman Joe Kurkowski. “It’s good biblical counsel.”

This year’s theme is “Remain Loyal to Jehovah!”

“It's all predicated on trying to build our loyalty with family, with friends and, most importantly, with God," Kurkowski said. “And then there’s the opportunity to meet with friends from a four-state area, some of them who you only see once a year.”

The convention is one of 446 that meet in 120 cities in the United States and a total of 5,000 in 92 countries around the world scheduled through January 2017. The Billings convention will feature 49 presentations, 35 video segments and two short films, all focused on the idea of “loyalty.”

In addition to the spiritual benefits the Jehovah’s Witnesses receive, they also benefit the Billings economy while they’re in town, Kurkowski said. And they appreciate the service they get.

“That’s what helps bring us back to Billings every year, the cooperation we receive from the Metra and the motels and eating establishments,” he said.

In the weeks leading up to the convention, members also go door to door, dropping off invitations to homes in Billings and the surrounding towns. It’s a way to make individuals feel welcome to attend the meetings.

“A convention is a good time to see what Jehovah’s Witnesses are and do, to see what we’re all about,” Kurkowski said.

Source: http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/jehovah-s-witnesses-in-billings-for--day-convention/article_3438a66c-8a11-5d40-8e76-0ad9b6c963de.html