Washington family attends Jehovah’s Witnesses gathering virtually

Breaking a century-old tradition, the largest convention organization in the world — the Jehovah’s Witnesses — has moved its annual in-person event to a virtual format for the second time in as many years, canceling nearly 6,000 conventions in 240 lands.

In 2020, the pandemic unexpectedly interrupted that tradition moving the international religious organization to cancel in-person conventions throughout the world and launch a global virtual event. This was a first for Jehovah’s Witnesses, who have held public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers and theaters around the world since 1897.

In the early 1900s, Des Moines began its rich history of hosting conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses. During the summers, thousands of Witnesses streamed into the city as they held their conventions at venues within the Iowa Events Center.

Washington residents Luke and Anne Leyden loved spending quality time with their sons — Owen, 12, and Miles, 8 — each summer in Des Moines during the convention, dining out at their favorite restaurants and swimming in the hotel pool.

The Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines hosted conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses before the pandemic. But the true highlight of each trip occurred inside the convention hall.

“It is a very warm and encouraging atmosphere,” shared Luke Leyden. In that environment, the family learned practical ways to apply Bible principles in everyday life.

“The spiritual instruction is very important. That’s why we put forth the effort to attend,” Leyden continued. “It really does refresh us.”

“Powerful by Faith!” is the theme of the 2021 global event, which has been delivered in more than 500 languages to households throughout the globe over six weekends during July and August, uniting some 15-20 million people in 240 countries.

Since the convention is typically held from Friday through Sunday, the program was available in six installments corresponding to morning and afternoon sessions. “Friday” morning’s session was available for streaming or download beginning June 28,

The planning and translation of a program of this magnitude takes months of effort. With the uncertainty of whether it would be safe to bring thousands of people together in cities around the world, the organization opted for a virtual platform for the second consecutive year.

However, the move has not curbed the enthusiasm for the annual event.

Congregations around the world are inviting the public to join them in this historic occasion.

“Faith has helped our global brotherhood to continue to thrive even during a pandemic,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Our faith will continue to unite us in worship — even virtually — as millions gather in private homes around the world to enjoy a powerful and inspiring spiritual program.”

As in 2020, the Leydens viewed the convention from their home in Washington. They have discovered that shorter, half-day sessions are beneficial.

“Having it broken up allows us to meditate on the information and take more away,” Luke Leyden said.

Owen and Miles Leyden added that having an unobstructed view — admittedly a challenge of arena seating — and seeing the speakers “up close” was a perk, making it easier to pay attention.

The family hopes that ones who have never attended a convention will decide to watch the virtual program this year.

“I would encourage anyone to try it. It’s available from the comfort of home,” said Leyden. “It’s very easy to follow along — there’s really no reason not to try it.”

All are invited to attend the event by going to www.jw.org on the web or JW Broadcasting on the free JW Library app available for iOS or Android, or on streaming platforms like Roku TV and Apple TV and others. The program is free and accessible to all.