While at times there may be good reasons for two publishers to work together, in many territories more can be accomplished by working alone while others are witnessing nearby.

Working alone in field service, where conditions permit, allows us to reach more people, and it can be good training for the future in the event that unexpected restrictions are imposed on our preaching work. (See the November 15, 1985, Watchtower, page 13, paragraph 11.)

 1. Meetings for field service have what purpose?

¹ On one occasion, Jesus met with 70 of his disciples before they went on a preaching campaign. (Luke 10:1-11)

He gave encouragement by reminding them that they would not be alone and that they were being directed by “the Master of the harvest,” Jehovah.

It may be done alone or with a small group of perhaps two or three.

Many find it advantageous to sit at a table and have in front of them items that they normally use when preaching from house to house.

While preaching from door to door, a pioneer brother was quickly dismissed by an elderly widow when she learned who he was.

“It isn’t safe for you to be doing that alone,” he said.

Last year alone, Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide devoted more than a billion hours to the preaching work.

In the United States alone, there are some 2,900 congregations and 240 groups preaching in 38 languages other than English.

³ An Excelling Work: The Kingdom message alone explains the purpose of life, the cause of human suffering, and the only reliable hope for the future.

Is that not worth all the effort we can put into Kingdom preaching?

If you were in the truth at that time, you may remember how excited we were to have so many preaching the Kingdom message!

Now, there are that many publishers in this country alone.

The annual report shows that last year alone, worldwide they spent more than one billion hours preaching the “good news of the kingdom” and conducted more than 4,500,000 home Bible studies with interested persons. (Matt. 24:14)

Offer suggestions on how to assist new ones who want to get started in the preaching work.

In some territories it may be advantageous to work alone and not to carry a briefcase when distributing the Kingdom News.

When the apostle Paul was in a position where he had to stand alone, he said, “the Lord stood near me and infused power into me, that through me the preaching might be fully accomplished.” (2 Tim. 4:17)

In some places it is unsafe to walk the streets alone, even in broad daylight.

In order to share fully in the preaching and disciple-making work in high-crime areas, caution and good judgment are needed. (Matt. 10:16)

There are hundreds of pioneers who are physically ill, but they keep busy in the preaching work.

Many new pioneers being enrolled are older brothers and sisters, some of whom are ill and live alone.

Alone in the mountain village, he spent many hours proclaiming the “good news” to the people in their native language.

Encouraged by the attendance and seeing the great need to increase the amount of time he was spending in preaching and teaching, he enrolled as a temporary pioneer.

While the Christian ministry includes caring for one’s family and home, our discharging these responsibilities does not relieve us of the obligation to share in Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making outside our immediate family circle.

Our fine example in Christian conduct can give a witness, but that example alone will not be enough for others to become disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.