6 Who can share in the search for inactive ones? All of us—elders, pioneers, family members, and congregation publishers—can help in locating them. Do you have a friend or a relative who has become inactive? Have you met an inactive one in your house-to-house ministry or while sharing in public witnessing? Explain to the person that if he would appreciate a visit, you would be happy to provide his contact information to the local elders.
7. What do you learn from the comments of an elder named Thomas?
7 What practical steps can elders in particular take to locate those who want to return to Jehovah? Note the comments of an elder named Thomas, * who lives in Spain. He has helped more than 40 Witnesses to return to the congregation. Thomas says: “First, I ask various brothers and sisters if they know where inactive individuals now live. Or I ask the publishers if they remember any who no longer attend meetings. Most in the congregation respond enthusiastically because they feel involved in the search. Later, when I visit inactive brothers or sisters, I ask about their children and other relatives. Some inactive ones used to bring their children to the meetings, and these children may have been publishers at one time. They too can be helped to return to Jehovah.”
Exaggeration at its finest! Here we have super Elder Thomas ( who has some kind of ability to visit inactive individuals and magically have each one return to Jehovah).
YES! You read that right! 40 inactive individuals returned to Jehovah. Most inactive never return to the congregation. And if they do return, it's because they don't want to lose association with family.
Super Elder Thomas makes all Elders look like slackers when it comes time to locating inactive individuals and having them return. Maybe that is the article's point!