The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness is fastly approaching its 70th anniversary in the Pampa community.
Paul Shedd, Coordinator and member of the Body of Elders of the Pampa Congregation for the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness gave insight into the history of the local congregation.
“The first congregation of Pampa’s Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness was formed July 1st, 1955,” Shedd said. “The first Kingdom Hall was on Dwight Street. The current Kingdom at 2300 Crescent Drive was built in 2017 and dedicated on November 10th, 2018.”
Each congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses has a body of elders. Elders are spiritually mature men who have been appointed by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses to provide pastoral care for the congregation. These men volunteer their time, taking the lead in their Bible education work, the congregation’s scriptural instruction programs, and organizing congregation operations to care for the spiritual needs of congregation members and the community at large.
The Kingdom Hall is a house of worship, and Bible-based guidance and instruction are considered at each meeting. Shedd explained the services the Kingdom Hall provides.
“Our midweek meeting prepares us to be Bible instructors, this helps all in the congregation to conduct our free Interactive Bible Study course and improve their public speaking abilities,” Shedd said. “We invite the public to attend our meetings; admission is free and there is never a charge for worship services or Bibles and Bible-based literature.”
The Kingdom Hall is never used for fund-raising activities and does not charge admission for any of the events held at the Kingdom Hall. The Bible education work done by Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide is supported by voluntary donations.
Shedd highlights an upcoming event for all Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Memorial of Jesus’ death.
“The most important yearly event is the Memorial of Jesus’ death,” Shedd said. “This year the commemoration will be held on April 4. Worldwide more than 19 million are expected to attend. In Pampa, the Memorial will be observed at 8:00 pm.”
As well, the Pampa Congregation will attend, along with many other congregations, an all-day Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Amarillo, Texas on April 22nd. The theme for that day’s program is “Jehovah’s United Family.”
Another upcoming event is a regional convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses that will be held from June 23rd through June 25th.
The theme for year’s this program is “‘Exercise Patience’!” and the convention will be attended by Jehovah’s Witnesses from Midland-Odessa, Lubbock, and the Texas Panhandle.
“We will personally invite our neighbors to attend the program along with us,” Shedd said.
Shedd expressed his sincerest gratitude to the community.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Pampa as well as the Civic Leaders who have assisted and supported us throughout our long history here in Pampa.”
