The Time I Went to a Jehovah's Witness Convention.
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- Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
- This was the time when I went to my first Jehovah's Witness convention in my early days in ministry. It was one of my most memorable visits... cuz I didn't have a BADGE.
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Thank you Melissa. Ex JW here. I was a JW for about 35 years. Then after that, agnostic, New Age, etc for about 15 years. And NOW by the compassion and grace of God, a Christian now for 4 years. Jesus, the Father and Holy Spirit changed everything. Everything. Praise God. Keep up the good work Melissa. It's very valuable. You and Mike Winger have helped me so much. And still do. God bless.
My sis has a good friend that's a JW. I love her and her husband and have spent time with them. Her and I have had a few discussions. How can I reach someone who is so enmeshed in that? I've studied some of the History of JW and the Watchtower Society and I am truly concerned for her salvation. It must be terribly hard to face disfellowship.
Praise God ❤
@@billiamnotbobI recommend watching all of Melissa's videos about JWs and Mike Winger's videos too. It's a lot of information and you will probably want to watch them more than once. They both have excellent explanations and advice. It's a complicated thing to try to help JWs and the advice on their videos is excellent. And first and foremost pray. Pray a lot, that God opens their hearts and breaks off the lies being told to them. And pray that you will have His guidance and wisdom to know what to say. God can change everything.
Praise God!
Hardly surprising people are agnostic every year approximately 75 million people die. Each day WHO estimate that 30.000 children die And as humans we have 35.000 days of life and that's if we are blessed.
Looking at the God of the Old Testament seems so cruel.
Yet in the New Testament Christ is loving and kind and helps others.
Although I view myself as a Christian it's all extremely complicated.
I like that your focus is on the disfellowshipped. The few times I've gone to a JW event it couldn't have been more clear that those are the ones Jesus would focus his time on. Broken but repentant, wanting to be accepted by God but being told by people that they haven't proven themselves well enough yet.
That is a wonderful way of describing Jesus and so true. I have come to that conclusion too and try to focus online with the ones disfellowshipped.
I don’t even know your name but your channel was one of the first I subscribed to in your early years. I watched only science videos then but now I watch mostly Christian content. I watched some of the last video you made with box of husky plastic, dude I have a box of it that was returned by a painter because it was already a 400 foot tube without taping. The kids and I had so much fun with it. Made a tunnel with a box fan and a hot air balloon with a hair dryer. I could send you a video. I have wanted to do RUclips for years and would love to get I contact. “K Conner tech” all together at that email put out by the same company as You Tube.
@Jedi-knight_survivor spoken like a true jw
@Jedi-knight_survivor nope! Just deal with them all the time.
@Jedi-knight_survivor mmm must be an active Jehovah's witness here not surprised 😂😭
As a 3rd generation JW the conventions were our annual "vacation". It was looked forward to since we would get to travel and be away from the local Kingdom Hall. It was "refreshing" since it was different and we got to meet new friends since we were not to associate with people outside of the JWs. This is also the only time people would have the opportunity to be baptized since it wasn't done at the local congregations. I disassociated 17 years ago and it was the best thing that I have ever done. When you read the bible without their publications the new light your receive is amazing because you get to experience the bible in its absolute truth and not being manipulated by the JWs.
Many years ago I almost got sucked into the Jehovah's Witness cult. I was lost at the time and in a bad place mentally. Luckily God opened my eyes to the strangeness of their teachings. I must admit it was hard to separate myself from them because after the short time studying with them, going to Kingdom Hall weekly etc. I had made what I thought were friends. I met some good people who I still pray for regularly. The minute I notified them that their organization was not for me I was just cut off. No more phone calls , no more "friends'. I was blessed to find my way back to Jesus and true belief. I pray for all of those people stuch in this and other cults to find freedom in the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It wasn't luck it was a blessing
كيف اكون من شهود يهوي
Ex-JW here - disassociated in 1984. I have been shunned for over 39 years. I don't hate my family or JW's...but I find it hard to even speak to JW's that come to my door. The pain of losing my family is overwhelmingly great and I just can't speak with them. The best I can do is ask them to read the book of Acts to find out what the gospel was preached and it's not what they are preaching.
Having been raised in a Christian bubble and staying there my whole life, I didn’t know there were people like you…so bold to assert yourself into these types of situations. Well done! Keep it up! And may the Lord bring many JWs to salvation.
I agree. I look for your videos all the time. I also like watching Prodical Ali’s videos with her mom. All Excellent. Though I can’t talk like you Melissa or even put my thought together like you I do know the things they do and how manipulative they are. And Brainwashed.
I covet ANY PRAYERS from you and people who read this and those who care for their souls also.
Remember we are to be bold in our witness too, it's not just one or two. We are all called to disciple people.
I knew it, but don't have contact with many who do. I fell into drugs a few years back and was still a Christian. You wouldn't believe how many people came to me to talk, ask questions about the Lord, and ask for prayer. Hope in some small way I still shone Christ's light to them in their dark situations.
Sounds like you are still in a Christian bubble. Or were you referring to a Hindu god?
The disfellowship thing absolutely breaks my heart. They sound like the very people Jesus would run to. I want to go to a convention just to love on those people!
If you’re depressed or shy, you’re pretty much ignored there. It would have been nice to have a normal interaction for a change.
@@millie9814yes, I was "bad association" because I was shy and nervous.. so I had no friends in it, and couldn't have friends outside of it. So extremely traumatic. And once you leave in your mid 20s, it's hard to make friends from scratch.
Thank you Melissa…I was born into the jws and baptized at 14. Disfellowshipped at 16. By the grace of God, baptized (VALIDLY, this time, in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit). 10 years ago. It’s been so long since I’ve lost my family due to my disfellowshipping and refusal to seek reinstatement, that I thought I was completely past all the emotional trauma of it all. But when you talked about the baptisms, the moment a life was forever changed, the moment one loses their freedom…it got to me…your words were 💯 accurate to my experience. And I wanted to say thank you for that because it was a reminder of the people currently suffering and in need of prayers…and to be more gentle with myself as well in my self criticism. Thank you for what you do, truly you are doing the work of Jesus in the most special way. ❤❤❤
Prayers for all those deceived by the cult of JW
When I was really young my best friend was a Jehovah’s Witness. I remember looking at his pamphlets, him going out every weekend, him not saying the pledge of allegiance or celebrating birthdays, and I even attended his church once.
I grew up in a very secular household, so his entire lifestyle and belief system was not only foreign to me, but it seemed very odd.
All that to say, I’m glad Christ grabbed me in college and I didn’t go down that path. I can totally see how coming out of a JW background could be devastating to someone’s overall belief in Christ.
Jesus is the Holy One. The Holy One is the God. Mark 1:28. Isaiah 43:3.
@Jedi-knight_survivor What BS are you referring to?
@Jedi-knight_survivor Can you prove it?
I have to agree about the Pledge of Allegiance part. And I’m a disabled veteran. We shouldn’t be making pledges to anyone but our Lord and Savior. America isn’t Christian. A short walk through the pagan symbolism in Washington DC will tell you that. We’ve been duped. The god they refer to isn’t the same God that died on Calvary for us. I know, I went through the same cognitive dissonance about that as others have. Like I say, they duped us.
@Jedi-knight_survivor
Ex jdub here..... lost GOD for a while but by HIS grace HE found me again.... saved at last.
Happy in the blood of the lamb and waiting on the King..... HE is coming !!!.
GOD bless you and that young woman you befriended .
Gilly wife of Mark.
Yes! Love this for you, He is coming soon, thank you Jesus
Lol
He’s already here..John St Julien Baba Wanyama YT
You will know them by their fruits🕊️💜🌸
I attended a Jehovah’s Witnesses church service in Argentina with my missionary companion, as a 20 year old LDS missionary (queue the cliche standard tropes about me being in a “cult” etc).
My companion and I were treated like ROYALTY. Everyone was willing to give up their seats for us. Everyone in our vicinity was offering up their books and were eager to have us be part of the meeting. It was a delightful experience.
As per usual, I fully expect all of the eye rolling to ensue as proper “Christians” go out of their way to call me a cultist, as I literally left my house at 19 years old to go to a foreign country to preach about Jesus. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.
God bless each and everyone one of you! 😀
We don't need no stinking badges.
😂 Thanks Dad!
😂😂😂
We ain't got no badges.
Especially in last few years, badges have become quite a thing at JW conventions. ‘The Attendants’ as they’re called, aka glorified ushers, are trained and instructed to keep a suspicious sharp eye on people without badges. And even tho’ it’s claimed to be a public event, it’s not really. It’s for indoctrination and “new light” adjustments for the JW’s.
And you’re 100 % right about the single guys & gals glaming it up in order to meet members of the opposite sex, and meeting potential marriage mates. 😄
Great movie......
Hearing you say “Jehovah loves u. God loves u” just made me cry.
My only complaint about this video..not long enough :-) I love hearing your witnessing stories and strategies
I've been praying for the salvation of those in cults. There's so many and it's heartbreaking to think that they desire to know the Creator and have been fooled into abuse.
Also you are a warrior. God bless you stay prayed up
You are super brave! I was never baptized in that but my entire family was in there. That is exactly what it’s like at those conventions. Only when my grandmother died is when I really started asking questions. It led me to a degree in theology and now I know who Christ really is. The pain, anger, frustration, sadness and then happiness with a jolt of energy that ran through me after I read Revelation 1 17-18 and finally was able to understand is something I wish for everyone.
What an awesome testimony! So glad to read it. 🙂
I love your deep love and compassion for the lost.
And your strong reaction to the harmful, abusive sides of JWs' doctrines.
thank you for this video. Years ago God blessed me with the opportunity to "rescue" my beloved (since desceased) sister-in-lawfrom JW. He allowed me to share the love & saving power in Christ Jesus and when she died (at 49Yrs Old) she went home rejoicing!!!
How wonderful! Praise the Lord!
Thank you, Melissa. I have a person in my neighborhood who writes me letters every few months, trying to get me to become a JW. He handwrites them, but I don't acknowledge getting them. I read what it is and throw them away. I admire you so much for your courage and your ability to take them on and put rocks in their shoes. I've never met this person, and I do think it's highly sus that he writes to a disabled old lady who lives alone. Thanks for having the courage and the seminary background to take on their unfortunate beliefs.
Why dont you write him back and teach him the love of Jesus to see if he is receptive to it
I think those are basically form letters, even though they look handwritten.
I got one recently as well.
I live in Southeast Kansas.
I live in Australia and have also received a handwritten letter. I don't think they have singled you out.
@@susanelisd5584 No they haven't single anybody out.JWs do this. I'm a POMI. We did this from the Kingdom Hall , from our homes, looking in phone books.
They started doing this during tghe covid shutdown and some still do it that are holding onto that impersonal work they can do, and still sthink they are "working".
Thank you for this video. I didn’t understand this. Now my heart is tender for them.
Hello sending greetings
I’ve attended several. I go on Saturday only, because one day is all I can stand. But I do love the convos I have during breaks and lunch.
My husband grew up with a mother who became a JW, and at the time, his two brothers were not JWs until later (when hubby was old enough, he left it.) She manipulated them and they didn’t have much contact until she passed. I recently became a Christian and hubby baptized me. It was hard for him (he has a lot of church hurt), but he did it for me. I pray that he can heal from his hurt and God softens his heart again. 🙏🏻 Thank you for sharing these videos.
I will pray for your husband too, I had a lot of church hurt in my history too. Bless you!
Wow. Brought back many memories. I was born in till 2020. I was a pioneer and was raising my children in the organisation. Thankful to the Holy Spirit for opening our eyes to the grace of God. My sister is disfellowshipped and it breaks my heart that my mom doesn’t talk to her. I keep praying that my mom will come to know the love of Christ but every time I try to drop a seed she gets all preachy on me and won’t listen. 😢
What's the disagreement you guys have? The conversation should focus on Jesus & Jehovah. Do u think your mom doesn't know Jesus well enough?
Rejoicing in the fact that she emailed you!!!! 😁
Your courage and love for those who are lost touches my heart ❤️ I hope one day I can be as bold for Christ.
Love what you do, keep on loving and praying for them, you are Special. I was born and raised a JW, but my dear sweet mama knew we shouldn't get baptized young because they had disfellowshipped my grandmother. So at 17 I faded away knowing something was terribly wrong with the way they treat their own. I lived my life and became a born again Christian many years later. It's so easy to be loved by Jesus and know how much He loves us. God bless you Melissa you are doing Great work for the lost.
Bless you, agree that JW and Mormon are difficult to penetrate but keep up the good work
I want to thank everyone for sharing their stories in the comments. These are very interesting and can help othwr Christians understand jws and how to reach them with the Gospel.
More info, including where I got my "seed droppers" can be found here: www.4witness.org/
This is also a great website for lurking or fading Jws that might be watching. Please pray for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Keep doing this and you will get really good at it. Praise the Lord Melissa and God Bless you. Amen
@@moisesbeyond Give the time stamp where she said any such thing.
Did you know that JW's actually watch your show and actually strive to argue against what you are saying? Keep that in mind.
The JW's fail to ask the question," Who is God?" The Bible says that the God is the Holy One. The Holy One is Jesus. If Jesus is the Holy One, the Father and the Son are the same entity.
@@moisesbeyond Jesus is the Holy One. The Holy One is the God.
@@moisesbeyond The Holy One is not a description. It is a title. The book of Isaiah says that the God is the Holy One. According to Mark 1:28 Jesus is the Holy One.
According to Philippians chapter 2 the Son is submissive to the Father. However, Jesus is still God.
You need to ask this question," Who is Jesus?"
Former JW here, grew up in it and baptized. I left when I was 16 after questioning the elders about the teachings and not getting any answers. The best thing you can do to help JWs is get them to question some of their beliefs. I was not any religion for a long time after leaving but about 24 years later became a born again spirit filled Christian Hallelujah! I was publicly reprimanded as a teen in the congregation and when I left was treated like a disfellowshipped person because I disassociated myself. I loved going to convention as a JW but visitors are definitely not expected nor are you encouraged to have normal conversations except to witness to them. Great job talking with the ones you did and leaving your little card!
as a former member of the Church of Christ. I can relate 😔 Your videos really encouraged me to read and study the Bible. Thank you 🙂
What is Church of Christ about? What are you now?
There are various types of Church of Christ
Latter Day Saints ?
I love your heart Melissa. Thank you for the work you are doing.
In a future video please read out one of your seed droppers, I'm very interested to hear how you plant them to JW❤.
In order to this kind of work you have to love people and see past the division and just love on them and share the Gospel when the doors open.
JW house was 50 meters from my home and Spirit led me to visit their service once. Not to preach but to learn. My mind was shocked at how they twisted the Bible but I found the reason why I was there. I've learned the level of involvement they practice is smth we miss in evangelical churches. One is reading the Bible, another one is sharing the revelation, another one is teaching, the next is sharing his testimony, etc. So many people serve. This is the involvement God wants and the Bible teaches us (1Cor 14.26)
Thank you for doing that, Melissa. I was born into that religion and was in it all my life until about 2 1/2 years ago. My can’t help them because I am shunned, but people like you can and I so appreciate your loving effort.
Thank you. You’re quite wonderful and beautiful. You are doing a phenomenal ministry for shunned JWs who are either in being shunned, or out. It takes a great amount of strength to do this. Thank you again. ❤
I absolutely love you Melissa! Another great video!
Hello there
As a fellow Christian I absolutely love you for what you’re doing and doing well. Keep it up!
I think you are great! I had a very pleasant time wathcing you again Melissa. So happy when i see you
You are very inspiring, Melissa. I evangelize also, but I am inspired by your boldness. May there be more Christians like you.
Wow, so interesting and informative, thanks for sharing, and will pray for them.
I was born into it. I remember so much even going back to age 3. This brought back lots of memories with the “assemblies” we went too. Mt dad was disfellowshipped when I was 13. He wound up going back to them in 2000
Thank you! Love your content, praying that you are blessed, and the jw are moved.
Your JW resources have been very helpful!!
I need to review them again!
@MelissaDougherty I always appreciate your honesty and messages
My aunt joined the Jehovah witnesses, she had 4 kids from 8 years old to 16, 1st thing she did was take Christmas away after celebrating it all their lives 👀, it was the beginning of a downwards spiral that never recovered, her oldest is still in jail
May God redeem them.
May others like her be arrested for mentally abusing a child.
We stopped celebrating Christmas years ago and our faith is stronger than ever. Not JW, but many people are realizing Christmas is nowhere celebrated in the Bible.
@nattybumppo4151 you can believe in God and still celebrate Christmas, I had a problem with Church on Sundays, shouldn't it be Saturdays? We can pick things apart, Birth was not December 25, but to celebrate his birth is what matters, every day I pray, I pray that my sins are forgiven, I pray for forgiveness if I get dates wrong, years wrong, decisions wrong, I pray 🙏 for Family, Friends, Strength to be there for others, I pray for the true words to be shared, that's one of the reasons I subscribe to this channel, I pray 🙏
Wow you're special!😂
"This is how all men shall know you are My disciples if you have love one for another." John 13.
"...keep yourselves in the love of God..." Jude.
Love, from the Spirit...is powerful and it works.
Jehovah's Witnesses, The Way International...others, only the love of Christ can pull them OUT. Satan's stronghold, feeling accepted by others...filling their love tanks, with the wrong fuel.
Only the Spirit reaches them.
Totally agree! Prayer prayer prayer. He IS faithful.
My first time when I watch one of your videos, but I really enjoyed it. Thank you for being so brave and for loving the people that are deceived into darkness. God bless you.
After listening I'm really touched, as I literally saw Jesus in you sitting with the outcasts.. That is so beautiful. Thanks Melissa. 💖
You're awesome, Melissa! I'm sort of new to your channel and the things you cover are so interesting and you present it well! Clearly been gifted by God to do this ❤ God bless!
As a Christian former Jehovah's Witness I want to point out how important videos like this are. The ex-JW community tends to be overwhelmingly anti-Christian and atheistic. It makes sense after feeling duped people want to throw the baby out with the bath water. Spreading the truth of the Gospel to a former witness is SOOOO hard. They are programmed and conditioned to reject what they hear before they even hear it. One must approach them with love and have a solid knowledge of apologetics. I'm looking to get into JW outreach as I feel especially called-to and qualified for it. You're truly doing the Lord's work Melissa. Thank you for helping me in my Journey getting closer to Christ.
JW here! I always listen to people before I reject. Even from other religions. My parents and religion taught me to treat everyone with respect. And I apologize for those you had a bad experience with.
I was raised as one. And I never got baptized. I’m at a point in my life where I do want a relationship with god and I’ve become a very spiritual person. TIL this day sometimes I feel like I’m just plain wrong bc of the JW’s teaching. I feel like God sees me as a rebellious child.
I'm an ex 2x2. Look them up. 62 years in. Got out last September and finally know the fullness of God's love and His amazing gift of grace. There are so many people I love trapped in an organization they are convinced is the one true way, and every one else is going to hell. They need your prayers as well. 😢❤
Wow, Kelly Graves!! You must be one very brave human being, and with an incredible story to tell...and I imagine that gaining your freedom must have cist you dearly... Welcome to FREEDOM!!! ❤
Keep up the good work
What a door The Lord has given to you. God bless you and your tender heart toward thr Jehovah Witnesses. It amazes me at how The Lord will supply us for whatever He calls us to do. I'll be praying for you and that The Lord will make you fruitful for His honor and glory. Keep on walking the walk and caring for the souls of others, even those who most of the public will not engage.
I left unofficially in 2020 and officially disassociated 10 days ago!
Good for you!!
Melissa, I am a 65 yr old very conservative Catholic. I know you're not either old or Catholic but your videos always have some education and truth in them for all Christians. I hope you for continue to make them. Prayers for you and your family.
I Love you so much, Melissa!! 🤗
I am so Thankful for you, and people like you, out there doing God's Work. I have so much love for these people in my heart, but reaching them can sometimes feel so... difficult. Thank you for all of the Love and energy, time and consideration, that you put into this kind of outreach.
I feel like God has so much in store for these people... and nobody should live in bondage like that-- especially when JESUS has already Paid our way!!! Much love to you and everyone involved in SETTING THE CAPTIVES FREE❤🙏💕
Awesome video- as a former JW - your ministry is wonderful, GOD is using your channel and efforts to comfort these people trapped in the cult, as well as help share the genuine good news of Jesus! Bless you!
Please share more, this was so informative , I would love to hear more.
Geeezzz Melissa...I'm really getting allot from your sharing, or to say I'm learning....I pray for this kind of Wisdom and boldness to Share Gods word & Christ Message of Salvation...Mahalo's Pal...
Thank you for your work. You are a brave and amazing woman. God bless you!
Melissa, that's amazing what you're doing! Praise God for your compassion and diligence in reaching lost souls in bondage to a false gospel. ❤️✝️
This was great. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I pray for those who Melissa interacted with that they will really think about what she said and I pray that more people will leave JW and turn to the real Jesus 💜✝️
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’ve met several JW over the years. All but one listened calmly to my questions and comparisons between their book and the Bible. The one that became agitated only did so when I took him back to the Greek text of John 1:1. There is a difference between “a god” and “the god”. “A” being an infinitive and “the” being a definitive.
Before I became a Christian, I was married to a JW woman for about 13 years. That “religion” thrives on guilt and a sense of belonging to this elite group. She was basically shunned and almost disfellowshipped for marrying me. The church will guilt you and yes even the elders will have private meetings with you to guilt you into submission if you are doing something that they don’t see as good. Little things turned me off ever joining. Things like the required “unrequited” dress code, very strict facial hair requirements, keeping track of every minute they spent going door to door and having to turn in their time to the elders to prove they were doing an adequate amount every month or they would be spoken to. Thank you God for bringing me through that!
Wow. You truly have the mind of Christ. I was raised JW and got baptized July 13, 1985. I later left. Everything you experienced is true. So glad you took the time to talk to people. God bless your ministry Melissa.
Hello, how are you doing and where are you from?
Thank you, Melissa, for reaching out to the JW's will keep you in prayer
Keep up the good fight sister .. GOD bless I learn alot from this channel
So nice to listen to u speaking with love for people
I'm not a Christian but I really love your videos. I'm an ExJW, disfellowshipped and shunned by friends and family, and your empathy and compassion for us is clear 😊
This makes me wanna make satirical badges to say “not a JW” and “Not LDS”. Thank you for sharing. I almost teared up listening you share The 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥
Love this. I was disfellowshipped at 15 and tried to get back in for a while afterwards. One time a JW who didn't know I was DF tried to speak to me at a regular meeting. I just cried and went outside and didn't even respond to her. I felt so ashamed and guilty for being DF, and didn't want to relive telling someone else. It's horrible.
This is great, Melissa and thank you for sharing. Only question I have and this is open to anyone to answer, why would a dis-fellowshipped jw attend the event?
What a great question! I’ve been trying to figure that one out too. From my past experience with JWs ( 3 woke up, 2 are still in) I believe it has a lot to do with being part of a group, the desperate need to be part of this group and have all these people make themselves available to you for what ever you need. Also, fear of the unknown ( remember, they are not allowed to think for themselves, but only what the WT info is given) its the fear that has been instilled in them keeps them hanging on. I can’t imagine being shunned like that, especially as a child. What other group of friends do they have? The need to have people live by a set of rules, by the book! But I have to say that Just today I got fed a bunch of hoopla about what one of the “brothers” is now sporting a beard! How “they” have decided it is now ok ( because times have changed 🤦♀️) you can grow a beard. 🤮 I do everything I can not to puke or cry when I hear some “ new info on the rule”
They want to be seen so as to facilitate their reinstatement.
THANK YOU MRS. DOUGHERTY!😊
Great video! My heart is also filled with so much love for JWs. When I was around 17 years old some new neighbours who moved into the apartment under ours turned out to be JWs and the husband was an elder. From the first moment I saw them I felt like I should talk to them, and soon they invited me to go to the Kingdom Hall with them for a Saturday service. I found it really interesting and really felt the urge to go deeper and witness to these people. So the following three years I visited them every Thursday for a bible study. Leading up to the visit every week I would do my research, pray, and make a long list of questions to ask them. My intent was for them to start thinking for themselves. I got one of their own bibles and used it to point out Jesus divinity in scripture. Way to often when they couldn't answer my questions because it was clear that it proved Jesus was God. They would just change the subject or try and find an answer in their literature. It was frustrating many times, and God taught me patience. I also followed them to a convention and my heart broke when I saw a girl go from New Age to being baptised there and becoming a JW. Met many kindhearted and nice people. Had an older lady come up to me and say that she saw a different kind of spark in my eyes. I hope it was the Holy Spirit! Learned a lot during that time and I still have brief contact with some of the JWs to this day. The woman who's husband was an elder and who lived in the apartment under us at the time once told me she had a dream one night about the trinity. I really hope some of the seeds that were planted will grow one day and that their eyes will open to the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
One of the things I didn't realize when I studied with the JW's for a few years was the complete absence of The Holy Spirit. The Holy spirit is not there. This is a works based cult and along with missing Jesus as our precious Saviour and Lord The Holy Spirit is not there. I left them and was mercifully saved years later and realized that.
Yes, I went to a wedding and a funeral there. Yes, the place felt empty. It was so strange. We take the Presence of the !Ord for granted, dont? Thank You Jesus for Holy Spirit
So helpful and informative. Thank you.
Im an EX JW of 16 years now, but I recently started to try to help the ones still in it. I made a group the other day for us to fellowship if anyone wants to join.
Bless you Melissa. I admire your courage, your boldness and creativity. I never would have though to go to a convention like that. Intriguing idea, and I'm certain some seeds were planted there 😉
That would be scary. Talk about Daniel in the lion's den.
I always appreciate your openness.
I really admire your courage and your dedication to helping the JWs. Thank you!
Bless you Melissa❤
First video i watch from you, ive met a few JW, as someone who has ministered to LDS people and who almost ended up mormon i know how bad cults like this can hurt people.
You are doing the Lord's Work. Bless you, subscribed.
What on earth could a 9 yr old have done to be disfellowshipped?!?
You gotta wonder, don't ya. I sent up a prayer for her.
If I heard correctly that was Melissa's inner 9yo that hurt to see a young woman all alone at lunch
Melissa referred to her memory as a nine year old girl to emphasize where the empathy in her heart was coming from. The JW was an adult.
I think Melissa was having. flashback to her own 9-year-old self and maybe how she once felt shunned during school or something😊She used that empathy to approach the other young woman.
The disfellowed woman wasn’t 9 years old. Melissa was saying that she could relate because it made her (Melissa) feel like she was a lonely little 9-year old again.
As a former JW, I find this fascinating. I also know how brainwashed and hardheaded JWs are from experience. If you're able to get through to anyone, I applaud you. Focusing on the df'ed is smart.
Thank you Melissa....you are an amazing young lady of God. I'll be praying for you to continue with your fabulous work.
Amen Sister! Well done!
i love listening to your experiences witnessing, i hope i am learning something so i can do it too. im going back to listen to all of your jv videos, thanks!
I “studied” with JWs my whole life, bc my mom started going to meetings and they offered study for her and me, I went to meetings, conventions, but never got baptized bc of so many issues I saw… I made “friends” (or so I thought) and as soon as I was on my own and stopped going to meetings, those friends stopped talking to me… It showed me all they were waiting for was for me to get baptized to truly be my friend but I chose a different path in life and they don’t reach out any more. My mom is still in but not baptized but she’s been understanding of my decision thankfully. I always saw the badges as “only for baptized members” and since I wasn’t baptized I figured I wouldn’t get one (and never did or was offered one even after going to meeting for +10 years), never connecting the good or bad association aspect and now that its mentioned it makes so much sense why it was never offered to my family, we weren’t baptized so we weren’t “fully in” so I guess we were bad association in their own terms… Kind of sad looking back at it now
If someone is disfellowshipped, why would they be there to begin with?!
I think if they want to be undisfellowshipped they're supposed to do everything to prove they're repentant or whatever. For people who grew up inside the religion it can be all of their family and friends they stand to lose. Eve. If they don't believe it anymore it can be too much
To earn their way back into good standing with Jehovah's Organization.
When you're disfellowshipped, you have to show your repentance by going to all the meetings to get reinstated.
Exactly.
I've spoken to JW since 1988. Initially, they ran rings around me but now that I know better the HB..
Compassionate and kind, as well as smart. A badge for Jesus. "On that day, I will choose/set my jewels. . ."
I think the greatest lesson to learn from the Gospels is that we, Christians, are NOT responsible for converting the unbeliever to a believer. Only God does that. Our job is to present the Gospel and pray for those we encounter in our lives. That's it. So rest easy in the Lord knowing we are doing our part and God is doing His. Amen.
Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus to this group. I so appreciate your thoughtful and compassionate care for them, and demonstrating authentic Christian behavior to those many of us simply write off immediately.
Melissa keep up the good fight for the kingdom. God bless you in our savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for sharing this insight. Honestly, I’ve gained a lot from your videos and listening to your podcasts; it’s extremely inspiring.
I’ve been debating about heading to the JW convention upcoming around me, but I haven’t even attended one of their meetings yet. I want to, but it is difficult breaking that barrier when I feel there aren’t many like me that are seeking to reach JWs or LDS. I’m praying that the Holy Spirit guides me in truth and that I have the courage to go forward and love these people. Take care and God bless!
More information on the seed droppers!
Yes please!
I got them from this amazing ministry:
www.4witness.org/
God bless you, sister. I hope to spread Lord Jesus love, as well as the gospel, towards these people. Specifically, my grandma has already been deceived into this and there was one time I tried calling it out and she immediately got defensive that all I could do was keep silent. I’m more than certain you’ve at least saved one soul when you want 💙