Jehovah's Witnesses Gather in Romeoville

Submitted by the Romeoville Assembly Hall

Photo: Yi Fu is just one of many people who have been baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Over 21,000 Witnesses and interested visitors have attended six of seven “Imitate Jesus” Regional Conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses at the Romeoville Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 800 N. Schmidt Rd. More than 3,500 watched the baptism ceremony July 4, as 18 people dedicated their lives to ‘imitate Jesus.’ The baptism is a highlight of each of the conventions and includes several special stories.

For instance, Yi Fu traveled 5,000 miles from China to attend college in Mishawaka, Indiana. Yet, it was the powerful spiritual education he received freely from one of Jehovah’s Witnesses that ignited a desire in him to imitate Jesus Christ and begin a living a more fulfilling life. He publicly declared his dedication to God, becoming a Christian, being baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was raised in a non-religious environment two hours outside of the tourist city Xinzhou. Denita Garcia, of Chicago, learned about Jehovah’s Witnesses from her mother when she was young. While her mother was battling lupus and on her deathbed, Denita promised her that she would return to her study of the Bible one day. Denita fulfilled her promise and began imitating Christ and is among those baptised with the hope of seeing her mother again in the promised resurrection Jesus announced at Matt. 5:28-29.

The group of newly dedicated Witnesses ranges in age from preteen into their 70s. Even though the apostles had tried to keep children from bothering the busy Jesus, who was publicly ministering and teaching, Jesus made a special point to praise the attitude of young ones. Following that example, Zayn Hozey, South Bend, Indiana, turned 12 two days ago and today made a public dedication to imitate Jesus as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The seventh and last “Imitate Jesus” regional convention at the Romeoville Assembly Hall is slated for July 10-12. The hall is located at 800 N. Schmidt Rd in Romeoville.