Branch Letter

Dear Kingdom Publishers:

For us March and April always prove to be busy and happy months. We all look forward to the special activities arranged. Have you considered temporary pioneering for a month, or even for two weeks? It will be an ideal time for many to enroll as temporary pioneers, especially young folks who will be on school vacation for a few days. Last March over 9,000 enrolled, and in April, over 17,000. Perhaps many more will be able to serve as temporary pioneers this year.

Why not talk it over as a family or with several others in the congregation? Parental encouragement may be just what is needed to help many young ones to taste the joys of temporary pioneering. One young sister wrote the Society: “With much encouragement from my family and with Jehovah’s blessing, I found that I could pioneer a half day of each school day. It really sharpened my appreciation of the privilege and joy of serving Jehovah and helping people in these last days. In addition it has served as a protection from the influences of worldly schoolmates.”

Yes, pioneer service brings blessings! Recently, after a zone visit to the branches in Mexico and Central America, Brother Knorr particularly mentioned that missionaries from early classes of Gilead are still serving there. That means that they have enjoyed full-time service, as pioneers and in Bethel homes, for over thirty years! In Mexico, Brother Knorr said, 81,371 persons are now publishing.

While some of us may not be able to be pioneers, all of us can continue to encourage the youths and share with them in the increased service activities at this time of the year. May your blessings be many.

Your brothers,

BROOKLYN BRANCH OFFICE

Encourage the Young People Among Us

¹ There is a large percentage of youthful ones in the congregations. These young people certainly need and deserve the encouragement of older ones, and their help in making advancement.

² Jehovah God himself views with great interest and joy the young people who serve faithfully. (Luke 18:16) Remember how he backed up young Daniel and his companions. They were transported by an enemy king to a faraway land, where paganism and nationalism were dominant. But did these young people break integrity or keep silent as to their belief in Jehovah’s sovereignty? Did Jehovah forsake them? The Scripture account says: “As for these children, the four of them, to them the true God gave knowledge and insight in all writing and wisdom.” As a result it became evident even to the king that the wisdom that they had was far superior to that of all the priests of Babylon.—Dan. 1:17-20.

³ We can be sure that, while those four Jewish boys were still at home, their parents had given special care to see that they developed spiritual strength, for the family arrangement was one of the most important features of Israelite life. Parents and other adult members of the congregation, are you helping the young persons among you to become real praisers of God? What can you do?

⁴ Do not take their efforts for granted. Young people have proved to be a real asset to congregations. Many, by their fine conduct, have ‘adorned the teaching of our Savior, God.’ (Titus 2:6-10) This has given an effective witness to schoolteachers and others. Youths who manifest Christian behavior at conventions have glorified Jehovah and have brought greater respect for Jehovah’s witnesses in the community. Many young persons also do well in field service, even aiding others to take their stand for the truth. Commend them for the good they do.

⁵ Ask yourself: ‘When was the last time that I stopped to talk to the young folks at our Kingdom Hall, not merely to say “Hello,” but showing genuine interest?’ In conversation with these young people you can help them to set attainable goals—not too high for them to reach at their age. It may be the goal of preparing comments for meetings, beginning to use the Bible in the field or witnessing to at least one person each week at school. Many may be able to be temporary pioneers, particularly during school vacation periods.

⁶ Also, in order that young people might realize that they are a recognized, appreciated part of the congregation, give them things to do at the Kingdom Hall according to their age and ability. They can be encouraged to welcome newcomers and to share in Kingdom Hall maintenance, such as cleaning and caring for the grounds.

⁷ Among the youths at our meetings are some whose parents are not Jehovah’s witnesses. Have you considered making a friendly visit on the parents of these young folks? This would encourage the youths, and you might be able to aid the parents to get a better attitude toward the truth.

⁸ You who are parents, of course, have a special responsibility to spend time with your children, showing real interest in their spiritual growth. While helping others, do not neglect your own family. Your children need you to converse with them, to listen to them, to be interested in them, and, not simply to give them orders, but to reason with them. Help them to see how the truth applies in all the ways of life and to take real pleasure in serving Jehovah. Do this, and Jehovah will help you to keep them on the road to life.—Deut. 6:6, 7.

⁹ In making plans for field service, it would be a fine thing for parents and elders to give consideration to the youths, perhaps planning times after school as well as on weekends. As you are able, personally work with them and help them to learn how to improve their effectiveness in presenting the good news. If we encourage them now, they will be both an honor to Jehovah and a source of joy to all of us in the days to come.

Engage in Memorial-Season Activity

¹ Once every year Jehovah’s people have an occasion for very special observance. This is the Memorial of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has been resurrected into the heavens. Having there presented the value of his sacrifice, he owns all humankind. As God’s high priest he administers life-giving benefits to all who call upon God with faith in his sacrifice. We can look for his help in every time of need.—Heb. 4:16.

² Certainly such a provision of our Father Jehovah is something to be thankful for, and the commemoration of this sacrifice with all it means is something to advertise to the widest possible extent.

³ To help truth-seeking persons to know about God’s life-giving provision, special arrangements have been made for this Memorial season. On Sunday, March 28, seventeen days before the celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal, there will be a special public talk on the very appropriate subject “Who Is Jesus Christ, so that We All Need Him?” Let’s do our utmost to enable others to attend the public talk as well as the Memorial on April 14.

⁴ The April 15 Watchtower also highlights our need for Jesus Christ. Free copies of this special issue will be sent to each congregation—three for each Bible study being held by congregation publishers and pioneers. If you are conducting Bible studies, you will receive, through the Bible study overseer, three copies for each of your studies. As you give them to the Bible student, encourage him to give them to people at work, to relatives, neighbors and so forth. Aid the new one to see the need of rousing in others interest in Jesus Christ. Perhaps the student