The 1986 “Divine Peace” District Convention

HOW fitting that the theme of our 1986 district conventions should be “Divine Peace”! Yes, Jehovah our God “is a God, not of disorder, but of peace.” He stands in striking contrast to “the god of this system of things,” Satan the Devil, who is a god of disorder, strife, and confusion.​—1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Corinthians 4:4.

Most appropriately, Jehovah in his Word is repeatedly referred to as “the God of peace.” (Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20) In his Word, peace is promised, counseled, and stressed from beginning to end, being mentioned some 250 times. Truly, Jehovah is “the God who gives peace” to his people.​—Romans 15:33; 16:20.

How important it is, therefore, that every one of his servants, yes, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, be a person of peace! This means, not just being peaceful, but ‘seeking peace and making it our pursuit,’ as the apostle Peter counsels us to do. (1 Peter 3:10, 11) That means that we must be “peacemakers,” as our Kingdom Interlinear renders Matthew 5:9.

It is not easy to be peacemakers, to work for peace, to try to preserve the peace. There are the weaknesses of imperfect human nature that tend to cause personality conflicts. As our Kingdom song (No. 213) puts it: “Disagreements sometimes arise; we’re imperfect, we realize.” This song goes on to counsel: “Quickly settling them is great gain. Unity we’ll maintain.” There are also the pressures of Satan’s world, together with all its allurements, working against our having “the peace of God that excels all thought.” (Philippians 4:7) And, of course, there are Satan and his demons, who do all in their power to disrupt our peace; we must contend against them.​—Ephesians 6:12.

In ancient times, God arranged that his people come together on special occasions so as to be spiritually built up and strengthened in their determination to obey Jehovah’s commands. Likewise today, among the many aids he has provided to help us to be peacemakers are our annual district conventions. We hear God’s Word expounded at these gatherings. For four days we are taught by our heavenly Father by means of discourses, interviews, demonstrations, and dramas. Yes, even our songs directly or indirectly exhort us to peace.

This year at our “Divine Peace” District Convention we will feel the spirit of brotherhood as we welcome one another. Seeing how all the various convention departments harmoniously function, we will truly get the spirit of the convention.

So let us come genuinely conscious of our spiritual need and prepared to take full advantage of the entire program, arriving on time to take in the very first session on Thursday afternoon and remaining until the very last song and prayer on Sunday afternoon.

Furthermore, should we not also strive to be consistent? In what ways? By being truly appreciative of the spiritual food provided. Many of us will have come at considerable expense in time and funds. So let us see to it that we are punctual and in good physical condition. That means that we should not overindulge in food or drink nor keep late hours. Rather, let us make certain that we use moderation and get to bed on time so as to be refreshed and fit to take in all the spiritual food that is being provided. While the program is on, let us be in our seats listening, not wandering around or engaging in conversation with some dear friend whom we might not have seen for some time. The time to talk to our friends is before and after the sessions. Yes, let us come fully determined to get really built up spiritually.

In ancient times God arranged that his people come together regularly on special occasions so as to be spiritually built up. And, truly, our annual district conventions are among the many aids today that Jehovah has provided to help us to be peacemakers.

Convention Locations

United States

June 12-15: AMARILLO, TX, Civic Center Coliseum, 3rd & Buchanan Sts. CICERO, IL, Sportsman’s Park Race Course, 3301 S. Laramie. FT. WORTH, TX, Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum, One Amon Carter Sq. GREENVILLE, SC, Greenville Memorial Auditorium, 300 E. North St. MIDLAND, TX, Chaparral Center, Midland College, 3600 N. Garfield. PONTIAC, MI, Silverdome, 1200 Featherstone. WEST PALM BEACH, FL, West Palm Beach Auditorium, 1610 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.

June 19-22: BIRMINGHAM, AL, Civic Center Coliseum, One Civic Center Plaza. CICERO, IL, Sportsman’s Park Race Course, 3301 S. Laramie. COLUMBIA, SC, Carolina Coliseum, Assembly & Sweet Sts. FT. WORTH, TX (Sign language also), Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum, One Amon Carter Sq. GREENVILLE, SC, Greenville Memorial Auditorium, 300 E. North St. HOUSTON, TX, Astrodome, Loop 610 at Kirby Dr. JACKSONVILLE, FL, Memorial Coliseum, Gator Bowl Sports Complex. MADISON, WI, Dane County Memorial Coliseum, John Nolen Dr. MIDLAND, TX, Chaparral Center, Midland College, 3600 N. Garfield. NEW HAVEN, CT, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 275 S. Orange St. NEW YORK, NY, Yankee Stadium, 157th St. & River Ave. OGDEN, UT, Dee Events Center, 4600 South 1400 East. RENO, NV, Centennial Coliseum, 4590 S. Virginia St. RICHFIELD, OH, The Coliseum, 2923 Streetsboro Rd. WHEELING, WV, Civic Center, Two 14th St. WICHITA, KS, Kansas Coliseum, I-135 at 85th St. N.

June 26-29: BATON ROUGE, LA, Assembly Center, Louisiana State University. BILLINGS, MT, Yellowstone Metra, Hwy. #10. CICERO, IL (Sign language also), Sportsman’s Park Race Course, 3301 S. Laramie. CORVALLIS, OR, Gill Coliseum, 600 S.W. 26th St. FT. WORTH, TX, Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum, One Amon Carter Sq. FRESNO, CA, Convention Center, 700 “M” St. GREENSBORO, NC, Greensboro Coliseum, 1921 W. Lee St. GREENVILLE, SC, Greenville Memorial Auditorium, 300 E. North St. JACKSONVILLE, FL, Memorial Coliseum, Gator Bowl Sports Complex. KANSAS CITY, MO, Kemper Arena, 1800 Genessee St. LANDOVER, MD, Capital Centre, Beltway Exit 15 E. or 17. MADISON, WI, Dane County Memorial Coliseum, John Nolen Dr. NEW HAVEN, CT, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 275 S. Orange St. OGDEN, UT, Dee Events Center, 4600 South 1400 East. PROVIDENCE, RI, Providence Civic Center, One LaSalle Sq. RENO, NV, Centennial Coliseum, 4590 S. Virginia St. RICHFIELD, OH (Sign language also), The Coliseum, 2923 Streetsboro Rd. SAN ANTONIO, TX (Spanish only), Convention Center Arena, S. Alamo & Market Sts. SAN DIEGO, CA, Jack Murphy Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd. SOUTH BEND, IN, N.D.U. Athletic Center, Juniper Rd. WEST PALM BEACH, FL, West Palm Beach Auditorium, 1610 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. WHEELING, WV, Civic Center, Two 14th St.

July 3-6: BATON ROUGE, LA (Sign language also), Assembly Center, Louisiana State University. CICERO, IL, Sportsman’s Park Race Course, 3301 S. Laramie. CORVALLIS, OR, Gill Coliseum, 600 S.W. 26th St. CROWNSVILLE, MD (Korean only), Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly Hall, Sunrise Beach Rd. FRESNO, CA, Convention Center, 700 “M” St. GREENSBORO, NC, Greensboro Coliseum, 1921 W. Lee St. LANDOVER, MD (Sign language also), Capital Centre, Beltway Exit 15 E. or 17. MACON, GA, Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Dr. MADISON, WI, Dane County Memorial Coliseum, John Nolen Dr. NASHVILLE, TN, Municipal Auditorium, 417 Fourth Ave. NATICK, MA (Portuguese only), Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly Hall, 85 Bacon St. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, Myriad, One Myriad Gardens. PROVIDENCE, RI, Providence Civic Center, One LaSalle Sq. RENO, NV, Centennial Coliseum, 4590 S. Virginia St. RICHFIELD, OH, The Coliseum, 2923 Streetsboro Rd. ROANOKE, VA, Civic Center, 710 Williamson Rd. N.E. ROCHESTER, NY, Memorial Auditorium, 100 Exchange St. ST. LOUIS, MO, The Arena, 5700 Oakland Ave. ST. PETERSBURG, FL, Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S. SAN ANTONIO, TX (Spanish only), Convention Center Arena, S. Alamo & Market Sts. SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Cow Palace, Geneva Ave. SOUTH BEND, IN, N.D.U. Athletic Center, Juniper Rd. TACOMA, WA, Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. “D” St. WEST PALM BEACH, FL, West Palm Beach Auditorium, 1610 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. WHEELING, WV, Civic Center, Two 14th St.

July 10-13: BISMARCK, ND, Bismarck Civic Center Arena, 6th & Sweet Sts. CICERO, IL (Spanish only), Sportsman’s Park Race Course, 3301 S. Laramie. CORVALLIS, OR, Gill Coliseum, 600 S.W. 26th St. FRESNO, CA (Spanish only), Convention Center, 700 “M” St. HAMPTON, VA, Hampton Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Dr. LANDOVER, MD, Capital Centre, Beltway Exit 15 E. or 17. LINCOLN, NE (Sign language also), Devaney Sports Center, 16th & Military. LITTLE ROCK, AR, Barton Coliseum, Roosevelt & Dennison St. LOUISVILLE, KY, Coliseum, Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center. MACON, GA, Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Dr. NASHVILLE, TN, Municipal Auditorium, 417 Fourth Ave. PINE BLUFF, AR, Convention Center Arena, 500 E. 8th Ave. PROVIDENCE, RI, Providence Civic Center, One LaSalle Sq. ROCHESTER, NY, Memorial Auditorium, 100 Exchange St. ST. LOUIS, MO, The Arena, 5700 Oakland Ave. ST. PETERSBURG, FL, Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S. SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Cow Palace, Geneva Ave. SAVANNAH, GA, Civic Center Arena, Orleans Square. TACOMA, WA (Spanish and sign language also), Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. “D” St. TUCSON, AZ, Community Center, 260 S. Church.

July 17-20: BROOKLYN, NY (Italian only), Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly Hall, 973 Flatbush Ave. CHARLESTON, WV, Charleston Civic Center Coliseum, 200 Civic Center Dr. DENVER, CO, McNichols Sports Arena, 1635 Clay St. EL PASO, TX (Spanish only), Special Events Center, Baltimore at Mesa. FT. LAUDERDALE, FL (French only), Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly Hall, 20850 Griffin Rd. FRESNO, CA (Spanish only), Convention Center, 700 “M” St. HAMPTON, VA, Hampton Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Dr. HIALEAH, FL (Spanish only), Hialeah Park Race Track, E. 32nd St. at E. 2nd Ave. JERSEY CITY, NJ (French only), Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly Hall, 2932 Kennedy Blvd. LITTLE ROCK, AR, Barton Coliseum, Roosevelt & Dennison St. LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (Greek only), Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly Hall, 44-17 Greenpoint Ave. LOS ANGELES, CA (Japanese and sign language also), Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave. LOUISVILLE, KY (Sign language also), Coliseum, Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center. MOBILE, AL, Municipal Auditorium, 401 Auditorium Dr. PHILADELPHIA, PA, Veterans Stadium, S. Broad & Pattison Ave. PINE BLUFF, AR, Convention Center Arena, 500 E. 8th Ave. ROCHESTER, NY, Memorial Auditorium, 100 Exchange St. ST. PETERSBURG, FL (Sign language also), Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S. SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Sign language also), Cow Palace, Geneva Ave. SPRINGFIELD, IL, Convention Center Arena, One Convention Center Plaza. SPRINGFIELD, MA, Civic Center, 1277 Main St. TUCSON, AZ (Sign language also), Community Center, 260 S. Church.

July 24-27: ALBANY, GA, Albany Civic Center, 100 West Oglethorpe Ave. DENVER, CO (Sign language also), McNichols Sports Arena, 1635 Clay St. HIALEAH, FL (Spanish only), Hialeah Park Race Track, E. 32nd St. at E. 2nd Ave. LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (Chinese only), Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly Hall, 44-17 Greenpoint Ave. LOS ANGELES, CA (Korean only), Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly Hall, 4310 Degnan Blvd. LOS ANGELES, CA (Spanish only), Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave. PINE BLUFF, AR, Convention Center Arena, 500 E. 8th Ave. ST. PETERSBURG, FL, Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S. SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Cow Palace, Geneva Ave. SPRINGFIELD, MA (Sign language also), Civic Center, 1277 Main St. TUCSON, AZ, Community Center, 260 S. Church.

July 31–August 3: ALBANY, GA (Sign language also), Albany Civic Center, 100 West Oglethorpe Ave. DULUTH, MN, Duluth Arena-Auditorium, 350 South 5th Ave. W. NEW YORK, NY (Sign language also), Yankee Stadium, 157th St. & River Ave.

August 7-10: DULUTH, MN, Duluth Arena-Auditorium, 350 South 5th Ave. W.

August 14-17: DULUTH, MN, Duluth Arena-Auditorium, 350 South 5th Ave. W. NEW YORK, NY (Spanish only), Yankee Stadium, 157th St. & River Ave.

Britain

June 26-29: NOTTINGHAM, Nottingham Forest Football Club, City Ground. SOUTHAMPTON, Southampton Football Club, The Dell, Milton Road.

July 3-6: EDINBURGH, Rugby Union Ground, Murrayfield. GUERNSEY, C.I., Beau Sejour Centre, Amherst, St. Peter Port. MANCHESTER, Manchester City Football Club, Maine Road, Moss Side. PLYMOUTH, Plymouth Argyle Football Club, Home Park.

July 10-13: LEEDS, Leeds United Football Club, Elland Road. NORWICH, Norwich City Football Club, Carrow Road. WOLVERHAMPTON, Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, Molineux.

July 17-20: CARDIFF, Welsh National Rugby Ground, Cardiff Arms Park.

July 24-27: LONDON (Greek and Spanish also), Rugby Union Ground, Whitton Road, Twickenham.

August 21-24: LONDON (Italian only), North London Assembly Hall, 174 Bowes Road.

Ireland

July 3-6: BALLYMENA, Ballymena Showgrounds, Warden St.

July 17-20: CORK, Neptune Stadium, Gerald Griffin St.

Canada

July 3-6: BRAMPTON, ONT. (Spanish only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hwy. 7, 1 mile W. of Mississauga Rd., Norval, Ont. EDMONTON, ALTA. (Ukrainian sessions also), Edmonton Northlands Coliseum, 75th St. & 118th Ave. HAMILTON, ONT., Victor K. Copps Arena & Trade Centre, 101 York Blvd. KAMLOOPS, B.C., Kamloops Exhibition Association. KITIMAT, B.C., Tamitik Arena, 400 City Centre. OTTAWA, ONT. (Arabic sessions also), Civic Centre Arena, Lansdowne Park, 1015 Bank St. PENTICTON, B.C., Peach Bowl Convention Centre, 273 Power St. SASKATOON, SASK. (Ukrainian sessions also), Saskatoon Arena, 19th St. E. VANCOUVER, B.C. (Portuguese also), Pacific Coliseum, P.N.E. Grounds, Hastings St. E. & Renfrew St. WINNIPEG, MAN. (Ukrainian sessions also), Winnipeg Convention Centre, 375 York Ave.

July 10-13: BRAMPTON, ONT. (Portuguese only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hwy. 7, 1 mile W. of Mississauga Rd., Norval, Ont. CAMPBELLVILLE, ONT. (Ukrainian, Hungarian, and Korean sessions also), Mohawk Raceway, Guelph Line, 1/4 mile N. of Hwy. 401. PRINCE GEORGE, B.C., Kin Centre, Arenas I & II, Ospika Blvd. & 18th Ave. REGINA, SASK., The Agridome, Exhibition Park. ST. JOHN’S, NFLD., Memorial Stadium, Lake Ave. VICTORIA, B.C., Victoria Memorial Arena, 1925 Blanshard St.

July 17-20: BRAMPTON, ONT. (Italian only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hwy. 7, 1 mile W. of Mississauga Rd., Norval, Ont. CASTLEGAR, B.C., Castlegar & District Community Complex, 2101 6th Ave. QUEBEC CITY, QUE. (French only), Colisée, Parc de l’Exposition, 2205, av. du Colisée. SAINT JOHN, N.B., Lord Beaverbrook Rink, 536 Main St. SUDBURY, ONT., Garson Community Centre, Church St., Garson, Ont.

July 24-27: BRAMPTON, ONT. (Italian only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hwy. 7, 1 mile W. of Mississauga Rd., Norval, Ont. CALGARY, ALTA. (French and Spanish sessions also), Stampede Corral, Stampede Park, 12th Ave. & 4th St. S.E. HALIFAX, N.S., Halifax Metro Centre, 1800 Argyle St. LONDON, ONT., Grandstand Western Fairgrounds, Queen’s Park, 900 King St. MONTREAL, QUE. (French only; Vietnamese sessions also), Montreal Forum, 2313, rue Ste-Catherine O. MONTREAL, QUE. (Italian only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 809, boul. St-Luc, St-Luc, Qué.

July 31–August 3: BRAMPTON, ONT. (Greek only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hwy. 7, 1 mile W. of Mississauga Rd., Norval, Ont.