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Saturday, Jun. 27, 2009

Jehovah's Witnesses host gathering for Spanish speakers

On the floor of the Macon Coliseum, opposite the stage where a speaker commands the attention of the 4,000 or so people seated Friday morning, a handful of men work the lost-and-found station.

“Objetos Peridos Y Guardarropa,” reads the temporary sign plastered above the booth. Or, translated literally, “Objects Lost and Saved.”

The Coliseum, which for almost four decades has been home to district Jehovah’s Witness conventions, has undergone a bit of a transformation this weekend as, for the third year, it hosts a gathering for Spanish-speaking Witnesses.

Temporary signs written in Spanish direct visitors to restrooms, information booths, first-aid stations, even trash cans.

This weekend’s convention — one of four Spanish meetings planned around the state — is expected to draw as many as 5,400 people from three states when it closes Sunday, officials said. The meetings are free and no collection is taken.

Jose Bosch of Panama City, Fla., convention overseer, said the turnout reflects the growth of the Jehovah Witness faith, particularly in Spanish-speaking communities.

While many Christian denominations are seeing a decline in members, Bosch said Jehovah Witnesses have grown by about 2 percent, to some 7.1 million worldwide.

“In this area, it’s like 5 percent. There are a lot of Hispanics in the area,” he said. “In Spanish, the growth has just been tremendous. Many people are responding.”

The Jehovah Witness movement was founded in 1884 as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. It’s a Christian faith that teaches Jesus was the son of — but not the equal to — God. It might be best known for its door-to-door evangelism, and its members are called “preachers.” “Even our children preach,” Bosch said.

William Del Rosario of Vidalia said the Spanish-speaking community has been receptive when he comes calling.

“With the economy as bad as it’s gotten, the immigrants who come here from Honduras and Mexico have been a lot more receptive,” Del Rosario said. “The Bible message is comforting. It helps them to look to the future with more hope.”

Fadul Maldonado of Warner Robins came to the United States from Mexico in 1990. He became a Jehovah’s Witness a year later.

He said there are Spanish-speaking members in congregations in Warner Robins, Fort Valley, Americus, Albany and Macon.

He invited many nonmembers to this weekend’s meeting.

“I did invite many people, but I haven’t seen one yet. Some of them work Monday through Friday.”

Friends who have taken him up on the invitation to previous meetings “loved what they saw,” he said.

“They never saw so many people together and everybody get along. They were in shock. Nobody was smoking or saying bad words. Even they say the kids act good.”

The theme of this weekend’s convention, as well as others around the world, is “Keep on the Watch!” an emphasis on end-of-the world texts in the Bible.

“God put the desire in our hearts to know what’s going to happen in this day,” Bosch explained. “The time of the end is close, just like in Noah’s day. ... Just like Noah built an ark, we are trying to build a ‘spiritual ark.’”

Friday’s crowd appeared to listen intently to the morning speakers.

Almost all were dressed in their Sunday best, even the youngest children who sat by their parents — though a few restless ones walked the corridors with a parent or grandparent.

“It’s not a law, but most all children are sitting with their parents,” said Rick Berry, a news service volunteer. “The parents need to be good examples. They see their parents are paying attention. They’re taking notes.”

In one hall, a young man sat in a chair in the corner, studying his Bible.

A handful milled around outside the arena, texting on their cell phones. Women lined up outside a restroom, marked “Damas.”

The conventions are manned completely by volunteers, who this weekend number more than 1,000. Preparations for next year’s meeting begin almost as soon as this year’s end.

One task is helping to find lodging for out-of-town visitors, and Berry said Witnesses are excited about the convention center hotel now under construction.

“Macon really takes care of us,” he said.

“The attitude of the people, the administration. Every place is not like that. Even the community. They’re very accommodating.”

The conventions bring a big economic boost to Macon. In 2007, the city hosted two Spanish-speaking conventions that each were estimated to have pumped more than $1.3 million to the local economy.

“We love to eat,” said Berry.

To contact writer Rodney Manley, call 744-4623.