World Headquarters and Principal Offices of Jehovah’s Witnesses—In Pictures
WORLD HEADQUARTERS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
[Picture on page 352, 353]
The global activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been directed from Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A., since 1909. These buildings have housed headquarters offices since 1980
[Picture on page 352]
Watchtower Educational Center, at Patterson, New York (under construction in 1992)
[Pictures on page 353]
Some of the residence buildings for the thousands who serve at the world headquarters
[Pictures on page 354]
Former hotels in Brooklyn renovated to provide room for 1,476 more volunteer workers
[Pictures on page 354]
Housing for Bethel family at Wallkill, New York
[Pictures on page 354, 355]
In these factory buildings (in Brooklyn, New York), Bibles, books, and brochures in 180 languages are produced for global distribution
[Pictures on page 356]
Millions of audiocassettes of Biblical material are produced in this factory in Brooklyn each year. From here, shipping is also coordinated. Upwards of 15,000 tons of Bible literature and other material per year is shipped to all parts of the world
[Pictures on page 356]
In this factory at Watchtower Farms, near Wallkill, New York, hundreds of millions of copies of “The Watchtower” and “Awake!,” in 14 languages, are printed each year
Jehovah’s Witnesses and the legal corporations that they use have offices and printeries in many parts of the world. Pictures on the following pages show many, though not all, of these facilities. Where new buildings were being constructed in 1992, architectural renderings are shown. Statistics given apply as of 1992.
NORTH AMERICA AND THE WEST INDIES
ALASKA
[Picture on page 357]
Visitors to the Society’s branch office receive a warm welcome. Here in Alaska, as elsewhere, Jehovah’s Witnesses preach from house to house, though temperatures sometimes drop to -60° F. [-50° C.]
[Picture on page 357]
Airplane used to carry Kingdom proclaimers to remote parts of the territory
BAHAMAS
[Picture on page 357]
Watch Tower publications reached the Bahamas by 1901. Regular witnessing was first done here in 1926. Since then well over 4,600,000 pieces of Bible literature have been distributed in the islands now supervised from this office.
BARBADOS
[Pictures on page 358]
Over 140 religious groups in Barbados claim to be Christian. Since 1905, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been helping people here to see for themselves what the Bible says.
BELIZE
[Pictures on page 358]
About half the population of Belize live in rural areas. To reach certain interior villages, Jehovah’s Witnesses make annual trips on foot with backpacks and briefcases.
COSTA RICA
[Picture on page 358]
The Society first established a branch office in Costa Rica in 1944. Since the 1950’s, Costa Ricans sharing in true worship have numbered in the thousands.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
[Pictures on page 359]
Watch Tower literature was distributed here as early as 1932. But personal instruction of interested people began in 1945, when the missionaries shown at the left arrived. In recent years, when tens of thousands of people became eager to study the Bible with the Witnesses, these branch facilities became necessary.
EL SALVADOR
[Pictures on page 359]
Some witnessing was done here in 1916. However, it was first in 1945 that at least one person in El Salvador was ready to undergo Christian water immersion (shown here). Since then, thousands more have become servants of Jehovah.
GUADELOUPE
[Pictures on page 359]
The publisher-to-population ratio in territory served by this branch office is one of the best in the world. Many people in Guadeloupe appreciatively receive the good news.
CANADA
[Picture on page 360, 361]
The Society’s office in Canada supervises the preaching of the good news in the second-largest country in the world. Well over 100,000 Kingdom proclaimers are busy in this land.
Administrative building (overlapping photo of present branch complex)
[Picture on page 360]
Northwest Territories
[Picture on page 360]
Logging camps of British Columbia
[Picture on page 360]
Cattle ranches of Alberta
[Picture on page 361]
French Quebec
[Picture on page 361]
Maritime Provinces
GUATEMALA
[Pictures on page 360]
Although Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, a variety of complex Indian languages are spoken here. The Society’s office endeavors to see that everyone has opportunity to hear about God’s Kingdom.
HAITI
[Pictures on page 361]
Serving Jehovah brings great joy to Jehovah’s Witnesses in Haiti, in spite of the often difficult conditions that surround them.
HONDURAS
[Pictures on page 362]
Since 1916, well over 23,000,000 hours have been devoted to teaching the Bible to inhabitants of this land. At times, Jehovah’s Witnesses have also had to teach people how to read and write (as you see here) to enable them to study God’s Word themselves.
JAMAICA
[Pictures on page 362]
Hundreds in Jamaica became devoted servants of Jehovah during the time when prospective heirs of the heavenly Kingdom were being gathered. Since 1935, thousands more have joined in preaching the Kingdom message. This branch office is being built to help care for their spiritual needs.
LEEWARD ISLANDS (ANTIGUA)
[Picture on page 362]
As early as 1914, the good news was being preached in the islands now cared for by this office. Again and again since then, people in this part of the earth have been invited to “take life’s water free.”—Rev. 22:17.
MEXICO
[Picture on page 363]
New center for Bible education being erected by Jehovah’s Witnesses in Mexico
[Picture on page 363]
Office facilities being used in 1992
[Pictures on page 363]
Bible literature published here supplies upwards of 410,000 zealous Witnesses in Mexico and other nearby Spanish-speaking lands
[Picture on page 363]
From 1986 to 1992, well over 10 percent of the home Bible studies conducted by the Witnesses worldwide were in Mexico, many of these with family groups
[Graph on page 363]
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Bible Studies in Mexico
500,000
250,000
1950 1960 1970 1980 1992
MARTINIQUE
[Pictures on page 364]
Seeds of truth were sown here as early as 1946. But when Xavier and Sara Noll (shown here) came from France in 1954, they were able to remain and cultivate the interest found. By 1992, over 3,200 persons were sharing with them in proclaiming the Kingdom message.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES (CURAÇAO)
[Pictures on page 364]
Twenty-three missionaries have served in the territory of this branch office. Two of the original group (shown here) who arrived in 1946 were still on the job in 1992.
NICARAGUA
[Picture on page 364]
Starting in 1945, when missionaries arrived, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nicaragua began to increase. By 1992 they numbered over 9,700. The people who want the Witnesses to teach them the Bible now far outnumber the local Witnesses.
PANAMA
[Pictures on page 365]
Since the end of the 19th century, people in Panama have been receiving help in learning God’s requirements for eternal life.
PUERTO RICO
[Picture on page 365]
Since 1930, over 83,000,000 pieces of Bible literature have been distributed in Puerto Rico, and 25,000,000 return visits have been made to provide further help to interested persons. Translation work done here helps to make Bible literature available to some 350,000,000 worldwide who speak Spanish.
TRINIDAD
[Pictures on page 365]
The good news was already being intensely proclaimed in Trinidad as early as 1912. Many Witnesses, including these three trained at Gilead School, have devoted their full time to this work.
SOUTH AMERICA
ARGENTINA
[Pictures on page 366]
A Kingdom proclaimer was first sent to this country in 1924. Much help was later given by Gilead-trained missionaries, including Charles Eisenhower (shown here), who arrived with his wife in 1948. By 1992, general supervision, as well as Bible literature, was being provided from these facilities for upwards of 96,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Argentina. Literature was also being sent from here to supply the more than 44,000 Witnesses in Chile.
BOLIVIA
[Pictures on page 367]
Bolivians have been hearing the Kingdom message since 1924. Thousands receive Bible literature appreciatively and benefit from regular home Bible studies.
CHILE
[Pictures on page 367]
By 1919, Watch Tower literature had reached Chile. The preaching supervised by this office now extends from windblown sheep ranches in the south to remote mining camps in the north, from the Andes Mountains to the ocean.
ECUADOR
[Pictures on page 367]
A major contribution to the preaching of the good news in Ecuador was made by upwards of 870 Witnesses (such as the two shown here) who left their homelands to serve where the need was greater. This branch now provides help for more than 22,000 zealous praisers of Jehovah.
BRAZIL
[Pictures on page 368, 369]
In 1992, when the Society’s branch office, printery, and Bethel Home were being enlarged to this size, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brazil numbered upwards of 335,000 and were baptizing more than 27,000 disciples each year. The printery here also provides literature for distribution in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
[Pictures on page 369]
Two large stadiums used for an international convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in São Paulo in 1990; more than 100 additional conventions were also scheduled
[Graph on page 369]
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Kingdom Proclaimers in Brazil
300,000
200,000
100,000
1950 1960 1970 1980 1992
GUYANA
[Pictures on page 368]
The Society has had a branch office in Guyana since 1914. The Witnesses have reached deep into the interior and endeavored to give everyone opportunity to hear the good news. Although the country’s population even now is less than a million, the Witnesses have devoted more than 10,000,000 hours to preaching and teaching in this land.
PARAGUAY
[Pictures on page 369]
Preaching of the good news was under way in Paraguay by the mid-1920’s. Since 1946, 112 Gilead-trained missionaries have helped to give the witness. To reach language groups apart from the local Spanish and Guarani, other Witnesses have also volunteered to move in from various lands.
From Germany
From Korea
From Japan
COLOMBIA
[Map/Pictures on page 370, 371]
As early as 1915, a Watch Tower publication was mailed to an interested man in Colombia. By 1992, Bible literature printed in these facilities was being shipped out to care for the needs of over 184,000 evangelizers in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
[Map]
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COLOMBIA
PERU
ECUADOR
PANAMA
VENEZUELA
PERU
[Picture on page 370]
Bible literature was distributed in Peru by a visiting Bible Student as early as 1924. The first congregation was formed here 21 years later. Now there are in Peru over 43,000 active proclaimers of God’s Kingdom.
[Picture on page 370]
Pioneers preaching high in the Andes
SURINAME
[Pictures on page 371]
In about 1903 the first study group was formed here. Today these branch facilities are needed to supervise congregations throughout the country—in primitive areas, the districts, and the city.
URUGUAY
[Pictures on page 372]
Since 1945, over 80 missionaries have contributed to the Kingdom proclamation in Uruguay. The ones shown here have been serving in Uruguay since the 1950’s. By 1992, more than 8,600 local Witnesses were serving along with them.
VENEZUELA
[Picture on page 372]
Some Watch Tower literature was distributed in Venezuela in the mid-1920’s. A decade later a mother-and-daughter pioneer team from the United States began a zealous period of preaching here, covering the capital repeatedly and making excursions to towns throughout the country. Now there are more than 60,000 active Witnesses in Venezuela.
[Picture on page 372]
Bullring in Valencia with crowd of 74,600 for special assembly in 1988
EUROPE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN
AUSTRIA
[Picture on page 373]
As early as the 1890’s, some people in Austria were being given opportunity to benefit from the good news. Since the 1920’s, there has been moderate but steady growth in the number of praisers of Jehovah in this land.
[Picture on page 373]
Upwards of 270 congregations meet in Kingdom Halls throughout Austria
BELGIUM
[Pictures on page 373]
Belgium has become one of the crossroads of the world. To care for the diverse population found here, this branch distributes Bible literature in more than 100 languages.
BRITAIN
[Pictures on page 374]
The activity of over 125,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Britain is supervised from this branch office. Witnesses from Britain have also taken up assignments to spread the Kingdom message in other European countries as well as in Africa, South America, Australia, the Orient, and islands of the sea.
IBSA House
Watch Tower House
[Pictures on page 374]
Bible literature is printed here in English, Maltese, Gujarati, and Swahili
[Picture on page 374]
The Service Department cares for more than 1,300 congregations in Britain
[Pictures on page 374]
Literature supplies are sent to all parts of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Malta, as well as to places in Africa and the Caribbean
FRANCE
[Pictures on page 375]
Translation and photocomposition of all Watch Tower publications printed worldwide for French-speaking people are done at the branch in France. (Upwards of 120,000,000 people speak French.) Literature is regularly printed here in a variety of languages and is shipped out to lands in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.
Printery/office in Louviers
Translation
Photocomposition
[Picture on page 375]
Office/residence in Boulogne-Billancourt
[Picture on page 375]
Residence in Incarville to house Bethel family
GERMANY
[Pictures on page 376, 377]
Despite ruthless efforts to annihilate them in Germany during the Nazi era, Jehovah’s Witnesses did not abandon their faith. Since 1946, they have devoted upwards of 646,000,000 hours to spreading Bible truth throughout the country.
Enlarged facilities at Selters/Taunus
[Picture on page 376]
In addition to translating Bible literature into German, this branch at Selters/Taunus does printing in more than 40 languages
[Picture on page 377]
Large quantities of literature produced here are regularly shipped to more than 20 lands; magazines are printed in many languages and sent to upwards of 30 countries
[Picture on page 377]
The Society’s own trucks are used to ship literature throughout Germany
CYPRUS
[Picture on page 376]
Shortly after the death of Jesus Christ, the good news was being preached to the people of Cyprus. (Acts 4:32-37; 11:19; 13:1-12) In modern times, that preaching has been renewed, and a thorough witness continues to be given under the direction of this branch office.
DENMARK
[Pictures on page 377]
Since the 1890’s, there has been extensive witnessing in Denmark. Printing of Bible literature has been done here not only in Danish but also in Faeroese, Greenlandic, and Icelandic.
Aerial view of the branch (entrance shown in inset)
ITALY
[Pictures on page 378, 379]
Italian Bible literature is both translated and printed here. This branch prints and binds books for use especially in Italy and other nearby countries.
Various views of branch facilities near Rome
[Picture on page 379]
Tens of thousands, on seeing what the Bible really says, have begun to assemble with Jehovah’s Witnesses
[Picture on page 379]
In the face of constant hostility from the Roman Catholic Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Italy have devoted more than 550,000,000 hours since 1946 to personal calls on their neighbors to discuss the Bible with them. As a result, 194,000 people in Italy are now active worshipers of Jehovah
FINLAND
[Picture on page 378]
Bible truth reached Finland from Sweden in 1906. Since then, it has been carried to every corner of the country, even far above the Arctic Circle. Scores from here have attended Gilead School to be trained for service wherever they were needed in the world field. Others have moved out on their own to serve in lands where the need was greater.
ICELAND
[Picture on page 379]
In Iceland, which has a population of only about 260,000, over 1,620,000 pieces of Bible literature have been distributed in order to help people to choose life. Now over 260 persons here serve Jehovah, the true God.
[Picture on page 379]
Georg Lindal, who pioneered here from 1929 to 1953; during most of that time, he was the only Witness in the country
GREECE
[Picture on page 380]
The apostle Paul was one of the first to declare the good news in Greece. (Acts 16:9-14; 17:15; 18:1; 20:2) Although the Greek Orthodox Church has intensely persecuted Jehovah’s Witnesses for many years, there are now upwards of 24,000 faithful servants of Jehovah in this land. The branch shown here is some 40 miles north of Athens.
[Picture on page 380]
Witnessing in Athens
[Picture on page 380]
Photo taken in 1990 during clergy-led demonstration against the Witnesses
IRELAND
[Picture on page 380]
Response to the Bible’s message was slow for many years in Ireland. Much clergy opposition was encountered. But after 100 years of persistent witnessing, there is now an abundant spiritual harvest.
Branch office in Dublin
[Picture on page 380]
Two longtime pioneers in field service
POLAND
[Picture on page 381]
These facilities are being used to provide assistance to the more than 100,000 Witnesses in Poland. From 1939 to 1945, their worship was banned, but their numbers increased from 1,039 in 1939 to 6,994 in 1946. When banned again in 1950, they numbered 18,116; but shortly after that ban was lifted in 1989, reports showed that there were over 91,000.
[Pictures on page 381]
For years they held small assemblies out in the woods; now their conventions fill the country’s largest stadiums —and more than one stadium at a time
Poznan (1985)
LUXEMBOURG
[Picture on page 382]
Luxembourg is one of the very small nations of Europe. But for some 70 years, the Kingdom message has been preached here too. Especially before World War II, help was given by Witnesses who came in from France, Germany, and Switzerland.
NETHERLANDS
[Pictures on page 382]
From this branch in Emmen, supervision is provided for the activity of over 32,000 zealous Witnesses in the Netherlands. Translation of all publications into Dutch is done in these facilities. Much of the reproduction of Bible-based videocassettes in European languages is also handled from here.
NORWAY
[Pictures on page 383]
A hundred years ago, a Norwegian who had moved to America and learned Bible truths there brought that good news back to his hometown. Since then, Jehovah’s Witnesses have visited every part of Norway again and again to talk to the people about God’s Kingdom.
PORTUGAL
[Picture on page 383]
For decades after the government signed a concordat with the Vatican, the police arrested Witnesses and deported their missionaries. But the remaining Witnesses continued to meet for worship, to preach to others, and to multiply. At last, in 1974 they were granted legal recognition.
This office supervises the activity of more than 40,000 Witnesses in Portugal. It has also given much help to African lands that had strong ties with Portugal
[Picture on page 383]
International convention held in Lisbon in 1978
SWEDEN
[Picture on page 383]
For over 100 years, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been preaching in Sweden. Within the past ten years, they have devoted over 38,000,000 hours to this activity. Many congregations in Sweden now speak any of a dozen languages other than Swedish.
[Picture on page 383]
To help people of all sorts in Sweden, publications are stocked here in 70 languages
SPAIN
[Picture on page 384]
This branch cares for upwards of 92,000 Witnesses in Spain. It prints “The Watchtower” and “Awake!” for both Spain and Portugal. In spite of unrelenting efforts of the Catholic clergy to use the State to stop Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Witnesses have shared Bible truths with the Spanish people since 1916. Finally, in 1970, when Jehovah’s Witnesses in Spain numbered over 11,000, they were granted legal recognition. Since then, their numbers have increased some eightfold.
[Picture on page 384]
More than 1,100 congregations now freely meet in Kingdom Halls found throughout the country
SWITZERLAND
[Picture on page 384]
Since 1903 the Watch Tower Society has had an office in Switzerland. One of the Society’s earliest European printeries was located in this country. For many years the branch here in Thun printed magazines for use in scores of other lands.
AFRICA
BENIN
[Picture on page 385]
Benin is made up of some 60 ethnic groups speaking 50 dialects. When thousands of these people broke free from their former religions, fetish priests and the clergy of Christendom alike became infuriated. But repeated waves of persecution did not stop the growth of true worship in this land.
[Picture on page 385]
Convention held in 1990
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
[Picture on page 385]
As early as 1947, the Kingdom message began to reach people here. A man who had attended some Witness meetings elsewhere shared with others what he had learned. Soon there was a study group, the ones attending quickly began to witness, and those worshiping Jehovah increased in numbers.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
[Pictures on page 386]
Gilead-trained missionaries helped to introduce true worship in this West African land in 1949. More than a hundred of such missionaries have served here. Each year, well over a million hours are now being devoted to searching out truth-hungry people in the area cared for by this branch office.
GHANA
[Picture on page 386, 387]
The preaching of the good news in Ghana got under way in 1924. Now this office in Accra supervises more than 640 congregations in Ghana. It has also cared for translating Bible literature into Ewe, Ga, and Twi and printing it in these languages.
[Picture on page 387]
Meeting in Kingdom Hall adjoining the branch office
KENYA
[Map/Picture on page 387]
In 1931, two of Jehovah’s Witnesses traveled from South Africa to preach in Kenya. Since 1963 the Society’s office in Kenya has, at various times, provided supervision for evangelizing in many other countries in East Africa (as shown below). International conventions in Kenya in 1973, 1978, and 1985 have contributed to the witness given.
[Map]
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KENYA
UGANDA
SUDAN
ETHIOPIA
DJIBOUTI
SOMALIA
YEMEN
SEYCHELLES
TANZANIA
BURUNDI
RWANDA
[Pictures on page 387]
Nairobi convention (1973)
NIGERIA
[Pictures on page 388, 389]
The good news has been preached in this country since early in the 1920’s. Evangelizers have also been sent from Nigeria to other parts of West Africa, and Bible literature printed here continues to fill needs in nearby lands. In Nigeria itself, Jehovah’s Witnesses have put into the hands of the people more than 28,000,000 pieces of literature to help them to understand God’s Word.
[Picture on page 388]
From the Service Department, supervision is provided for well over 160,000 Kingdom proclaimers in Nigeria
[Picture on page 389]
Convention in Calabar, Nigeria (1990)
LIBERIA
[Picture on page 388]
Those who have become Jehovah’s Witnesses here have faced numerous tests of their faith—when breaking away from local superstitions, when forsaking polygamy, when persecuted by officials to whom they had been misrepresented, and when surrounded by political and ethnic groups at war. Yet, true worship continues to unite people of all sorts in this land.
MAURITIUS
[Pictures on page 389]
As early as 1933, zealous Witnesses from South Africa visited this island in the Indian Ocean. There are now upwards of a thousand Witnesses in Mauritius who urge their neighbors to seek Jehovah so that they might be viewed by him with favor when he destroys the present wicked system.—Zeph. 2:3.
SOUTH AFRICA
[Picture on page 390]
For over 80 years, the Watch Tower Society has had a branch office in South Africa. Zealous evangelizers from here have done much to spread the Kingdom message into other countries in southern and eastern Africa. In the territory that was formerly under this branch (where there were 14,674 Kingdom proclaimers in 1945), there are now more than 300,000 active Witnesses of Jehovah.
[Pictures on page 391]
More than 110 translators work under the direction of this branch to prepare Bible literature in 16 African languages
[Picture on page 391]
Printing is done here in upwards of 40 languages
SENEGAL
[Pictures on page 390]
Though the number of Witnesses here is small, the branch office has endeavored to see to it that each city, each ethnic group, and the people of every religion, not only in Senegal but also in surrounding countries, have opportunity to hear the Bible’s heartwarming message.
SIERRA LEONE
[Picture on page 391]
Preaching of the good news in Sierra Leone got started in 1915. Growth has at times been slow. But when those who did not hold to Jehovah’s high standards were removed and those who did not serve with right motives withdrew, the ones loyal to Jehovah prospered spiritually.
ZAMBIA
[Picture on page 392]
This branch office supervises the activity of more than 110,000 Witnesses in south-central Africa. The Society’s first office here was established in 1936. Since then, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Zambia have made upwards of 186,000,000 return visits to give added help to interested ones. They have also taught many to read so they could study the Bible personally and share it with others.
[Picture on page 392]
A series of conventions in Zambia in 1992 was attended by 289,643
ZIMBABWE
[Pictures on page 392]
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been active in Zimbabwe since the 1920’s. During the following years, they were confronted with bans on their literature, prohibitions of assemblies, and denial of permission for missionaries to preach to the African population. Gradually, obstacles were overcome, and this office now looks after upwards of 20,000 Witnesses.
THE ORIENT
HONG KONG
[Pictures on page 393]
Watch Tower publications are translated here into Chinese, which, in its many dialects, is spoken by more than a billion people. In Hong Kong itself, the preaching of the good news began when C. T. Russell lectured at city hall in 1912.
INDIA
[Picture on page 393]
This branch supervises the proclamation of the Kingdom message to over one sixth of the earth’s population. At present, this office directs translation into 18 languages and printing in 19. Among these is Hindi (spoken by 367 million people) also Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu (each spoken by tens of millions).
[Pictures on page 393]
Witnesses who preach in Malayalam
. . . in Nepali
. . . in Gujarati
JAPAN
[Pictures on page 394]
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Japan, as elsewhere, are zealous proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. In 1992 alone, they devoted upwards of 85,000,000 hours to preaching the good news. On an average, about 45 percent of the Japanese Witnesses share in the pioneer service each month.
[Picture on page 394]
Bible literature is published here in many languages, including Japanese, Chinese, and languages of the Philippines
[Picture on page 394]
A Regional Engineering Office assists with work on branch facilities in various lands
[Graph on page 394]
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Pioneers in Japan
75,000
50,000
25,000
1975 1980 1985 1992
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
[Pictures on page 395]
Some 16 million pieces of Bible literature, in addition to tracts, are produced here annually to supply the more than 70,000 Witnesses in the Republic of Korea. About 40 percent of the Korean Witnesses are in the pioneer service.
MYANMAR
[Pictures on page 395]
When the Watch Tower Society established a branch office here in 1947, there were only 24 of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the country. The more than 2,000 Witnesses now active in Myanmar endeavor to reach not only inhabitants of the cities but also the more numerous rural population.
PHILIPPINES
[Picture on page 396]
In 1912, C. T. Russell spoke in Manila’s Grand Opera House on the subject “Where Are the Dead?” Since that time Jehovah’s Witnesses here have devoted upwards of 483,000,000 hours in witnessing to the people found on the approximately 900 inhabited islands of the Philippines. General supervision of more than 110,000 Witnesses in 3,200 congregations is provided from this branch. Printing is done here in eight languages to fill local needs.
[Pictures on page 396]
Witnesses from some of the major language groups in the Philippines
SRI LANKA
[Pictures on page 397]
Before World War I, the good news was being preached in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), to the south of India. A study group was quickly organized. Since 1953 the Society has had a branch office in the capital city, to give the Sinhalese, the Tamils, and the other ethnic groups in this country opportunity to hear the Kingdom message.
TAIWAN
[Picture on page 397]
Some witnessing was done here in the 1920’s. But it got under way on a more consistent basis in the 1950’s. Now these new branch facilities are being constructed to provide a center for increased activity in this part of the earth.
[Picture on page 397]
Congregation in Taipei
THAILAND
[Picture on page 397]
During the 1930’s, pioneer Witnesses came from Britain, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand to share Bible truth with the people of Thailand (then known as Siam). Delegates from many lands attended international conventions here in 1963, 1978, 1985, and 1991 to encourage local Witnesses and to stimulate spread of the Kingdom message.
[Picture on page 397]
1963 convention
[Picture on page 397]
Delegates from abroad in 1991
ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC
FIJI
[Picture on page 398]
The office in Fiji was established in 1958. For a time it supervised the work of Kingdom proclamation in 12 countries and 13 languages. Now the Fiji branch focuses its attention on the approximately one hundred inhabited islands of the Fijian group.
[Picture on page 398]
International conventions here in 1963, 1969, 1973, and 1978 helped to draw local Witnesses closer to those in other lands
GUAM
[Picture on page 398]
The office in Guam directs preaching of the good news on islands spread over some 3,000,000 square miles [7,770,000 sq km] of the Pacific Ocean. Translation of Bible literature into nine languages comes under its supervision.
[Picture on page 398]
Circuit overseer often travels by airplane between islands
[Picture on page 398]
Local Witnesses (as shown here in Micronesia) may use boats to reach their territory
HAWAII
[Picture on page 399]
The Watch Tower Society has had a branch office in Honolulu since 1934. Some from Hawaii have shared in evangelizing work not only on the Hawaiian islands but also in Japan, Taiwan, Guam, and islands of Micronesia.
NEW CALEDONIA
[Picture on page 399]
In spite of hindrance from religious opposers, Jehovah’s Witnesses brought the message of God’s Kingdom to New Caledonia. Many people listened appreciatively. In 1956 the first congregation was formed. Now there are upwards of 1,300 praisers of Jehovah here.
NEW ZEALAND
[Picture on page 399]
In 1947 the Watch Tower Society established a branch office in New Zealand to provide closer supervision for the preaching of the good news here.
[Picture on page 399]
Translating done at this branch enables the inhabitants of Samoa, Rarotonga, and Niue to receive regular spiritual upbuilding.
[Picture on page 399]
Translators and proofreaders cooperate to provide publications of high quality
AUSTRALIA
[Pictures on page 400]
The Watch Tower Society has had a branch office in Australia since 1904. In the past this branch supervised the work of Kingdom proclamation over nearly a quarter of the globe’s surface, including China, Southeast Asia, and islands of the South Pacific.
[Picture on page 400]
Regional Engineering Office assists with branch construction in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia
[Picture on page 400]
At present, this branch prints Bible literature in more than 25 languages. The printery here helps to supply literature needed by some 78,000 Witnesses located in areas supervised by eight branches in the South Pacific.
[Map/Picture on page 400]
Lands supplied with literature from the Australia branch
[Map]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
AUSTRALIA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
NEW CALEDONIA
SOLOMON ISLANDS
FIJI
WESTERN SAMOA
TAHITI
NEW ZEALAND
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
[Pictures on page 400]
A special challenge faces Jehovah’s Witnesses in this land—the people speak some 700 distinct languages. Witnesses from at least ten other lands have moved here to share in the work. They have worked hard to learn local languages. Interested ones translate for those who speak another tongue. Pictures are also effectively used as aids in teaching.
SOLOMON ISLANDS
[Pictures on page 401]
A Bible study conducted internationally by mail brought the Kingdom message to the Solomon Islands by the early 1950’s. In spite of severe obstacles, Bible truth spread. This branch office and the spacious Assembly Hall are results of local ingenuity, international cooperation, and an abundance of Jehovah’s spirit.
TAHITI
[Pictures on page 401]
By the early 1930’s, Jehovah’s Witnesses had reached Tahiti with the Kingdom message. Here, in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, a thorough witness is being given. During just the past four years, the witnessing done amounts to more than five hours of talking, on an average, to every man, woman, and child on the island.
WESTERN SAMOA
[Picture on page 401]
Western Samoa is one of the smallest nations of the world, but Jehovah’s Witnesses have a branch office here too. This facility was being built in 1992 to care for activity on these and other nearby islands, including American Samoa.