22,000 JW delegates gather in PH to attend international Bible convention
PASAY City–What seemed to be a normal religious gathering of Jehovah’s Witnesses became a huge exhibit of colorful traditional attire of countries from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe.
Close to 22,000 people, 5,500 of them are foreign delegates from 67 countries, flocked to SM Mall of Asia Arena and SMX Convention Center Friday to attend an international Bible convention with the theme “Love Never Fails.”
The delegates, who are mostly visiting the country for the first time, were touched when Filipinos greeted and sang for them as they entered the gate at 8am. The Filipino delegates also showcase their diverse culture by wearing their respective indigenous attire.
Dean Jacek, national spokesman of Jehovah’s Witnesses, said they mobilized and trained more than 4,000 volunteers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to assist the foreign delegates throughout their stay in the country.
He said although the three-day convention ends on Sunday, all the delegates are staying for at least 10 days in different hotels in Manila and will participate in convention activities that do not only strengthen their spirituality but also experience Filipino hospitality.
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