Birmingham residents attend global virtual event

For 41 consecutive years, summers in Birmingham have seen Jehovah’s Witnesses from throughout Alabama and Mississippi streaming into the city to take over hotels and fill restaurants as they held their conventions at the BJCC, now Legacy Arena.

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.

“Powerful by Faith!” is the theme of the 2021 global event, which has been delivered in more than 500 languages to households locally and throughout the globe over six weekends during July and August, uniting some 15-20 million people in 240 countries. The convention's concluding session is available for streaming or download this weekend at www.jw.org.

Since the convention is typically held from Friday through Sunday, the program has been produced in six installments corresponding to morning and afternoon sessions. “Sunday” afternoon’s session is the latest to be made available, and the previous five installments remain available for streaming or download.

“Anyone can gain access to the program,” said Meadow Brook resident and longtime convention attendee Dr. Carmelita Bivens Perry, former director of special education for Birmingham and Bessemer city schools. “If they take advantage of the opportunity to attend, they will be refreshed and learn how to cope with the challenges we face during these critical times.”

Cahaba Heights resident Murry Argo has attended every one of the Birmingham conventions. He related that one of his fondest memories was volunteering to be part of the program, especially in re-enacting various scenes from the Bible.

Murry was able to play the part of a Roman soldier in a scene from the life of the apostle Paul. Those re-enactments “are one of the highlights of the conventions every year,” he said Murry. This year, he and his wife Pam -- like Dr. Perry and her husband Earl -- have enjoyed the convention in their home.

The continued risk of bringing thousands of people together in cities around the world prompted the organization to opt for a virtual platform for the second consecutive year. However, the move has not curbed the enthusiasm for the annual event. Birmingham-area congregations and those 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.”

The public is invited to attend the event by going to www.jw.org or JW Broadcasting on the free JW Library app available for iOS or Android, or on such streaming platforms as ROKU TV, Apple TV, and others. The program is free and accessible to all.