Local denomination excited for return of in-person conferences
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IDAHO FALLS — For the first time in three years, Jehovah’s Witnesses in eastern Idaho will be holding their semi-annual conference in Idaho Falls.
The conference is happening at the Idaho Falls Civic Center for the Performing Arts and will include a Spanish and English event. The Spanish event will take place Sunday, April 23 at 9:30 a.m. and the English event is scheduled for Sunday, April 30.
The event is open to the entire community and will include a series of talks on how to promote hospitality in the community, as well as peace and rest in our home.
“We will be holding four large events this year with over 8,000 total attendees,” Keith Hildreth, local spokesperson for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, says in a news release. “Many will be traveling from locations as far away as Salmon, and western Wyoming.”
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Nationwide, there are nearly 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in about 13,000 congregations. Between Preston and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Hildreth tells EastIdahoNews.com there are at least 14 Jehovah’s Witness congregations, with a total of 800-1,000 church members throughout the area.
Traditionally, these semi-annual events are held in person. For the last few years it’s been held virtually. Bertha Holcombe has been attending these events for the last 56 years and she’s excited to attend in-person again, and to be able to hug her friends and see everyone’s smiling face.
“Making a proactive nationwide decision to close our houses of worship to in-person events protected both our congregants and our communities,” says Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Our in-person assemblies and conventions are a highlight of our annual calendar and an important part of our worship. We are excited to be back.”
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This event comes a year after the church began worshipping in person again after a two year hiatus. The faith resumed proselyting door-to-door in September.
The conference is free for those who attend. More details are on the organization’s official website.