Okay, it's only fluff but I liked it.
Osceola will host Jehovah's Witnesses
By Danielle De Pari
Sentinel Staff Writer
July 7, 2005
KISSIMMEE -- Bob Weldon of Kissimmee has attended Jehovah's Witnesses conventions annually for the past 30 years, but he said he feels inspired and energized every time he goes.
"It's a spiritual feeding program. It's like eating; you don't just do it once," Weldon said.
This year, Weldon will be one of an estimated 60,000 attendees at the Jehovah's Witnesses' annual District Convention, themed "Godly Obedience," which opens Friday at the Silver Spurs Arena near Kissimmee.
The arena at Osceola Heritage Park will host seven events on consecutive three-day weekends through Aug. 21. About 8,000 delegates of all ages are expected each weekend from around Central Florida.
"There is a lot of tradition behind it," said elder Peter Kerasotis of Merritt Island, a church spokesman.
The summer's events include three events for speakers of Spanish and four in English. That is a change from two in Spanish and five in English last year. The need to add another Spanish-language event can be attributed to growth in the church and more Hispanics in the population, church officials said.
Kerasotis said the church does not change its recruitment approach or program contents for Hispanics. "We're like a United Nations that gets along," he said. "Our congregation has people from all different races, and we enjoy it. It adds more to the congregation."
There are about 244,000 Spanish-speaking Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States, according to church records, meaning about one in four members speaks the language. This is more than any other country except Mexico. Florida has about 36,800 Spanish-speaking Jehovah's Witnesses.
Kissimmee, the convention's host city, is no stranger to Hispanic population growth. Currently, the city is almost 42 percent Hispanic. Between 900 and 1,200 hotel rooms will be rented each weekend for the convention, contributing to Osceola County's tourist economy.
Admission is free, and the convention is open to the public. It is run by volunteers and will consist of speakers, discussions and skits. No collections will be taken, and no registration or tickets are required.
Weekend highlights include a baptism Saturday and a dramatic biblical presentation Sunday.
Kerasotis said the convention plans to target youth with its theme "Godly Obedience." "There is an emphasis on young people and teenagers, and knowing how to face challenges while keeping the faith and leading to a productive life," he said.
The convention hopes to combat the media's influence and everyday pressures on teenagers. One of the most important messages that Kerasotis said he hopes the convention conveys is that this lesson isn't a new one. Bob Weldon is hoping to pass those lessons along to the next generation. Although his children are now adults, they still attend the conventions with him and his wife.
The weekend's dramatic presentation is aimed at teaching followers how to deal with modern problems, with the same techniques that are portrayed in the Bible. "It can still benefit our lives, just as it always did," Kerasotis said. "It may seem old-fashioned and it may seem outdated, but the problems that we face today show us that the Bible still applies today and it can help us, just as it always has."
Danielle De Pari can be reached at [email protected] 407-931-5951.
