(Part 2) DVD Transcript (Interviews-Sections-Supplementary Material) _Young

People Ask-What Will I Do With My Life?

GIRL: When you’re young and at school, it’s hard to think about the future.

BOY: You’re entire life can be affected by what you do when you’re young, what you

decide for your career or also spiritually speaking. BOY: Also, there are so many choices. It’s hard for a person to know whether this choice is right or this choice is wrong. GIRL: It’s scary because you’re in the mentality where you have to decide what to do with the rest of your whole life.

NARRATOR: Young people from four different countries now discuss: What will I do with my life?

SECTION: DEDICATION TO VAIN PURSUITS OR TO GOD?

(Girl watching TV)

Male television advertiser: “That’s right, for only $49.95 you get everything you’ll need to

start making the kind of money you’ve only ever dreamed of…”

Female advertiser: “No matter what they tell you, there are some things that only

money can buy…Diamonds are one of them”.

NARRATOR: Today’s world urges young ones to have a materialistic view of life, appealing to

what the Bible calls “the desire of the eyes”.

Male advertiser: “You want the best. You need the best”.

NARRATOR: As a result of this materialistic pressure, many young people consider attaining

financial success to be their top priority.

Male advertiser: “So why would you drive anything less than the best?”

Supriya, United States: And more than just choosing a career that they really like, they just like ‘oh, that’s the car I want. How do I get it?’ Or ‘that’s the house I want. How do I get there? How much do I have to make”.

Simon, Britain: They kind of equate money with success. If you have a lot of money, then you’re automatically respected by society.

Elaine, Brazil: So if you have very little financially, you’re not worth anything. You have to leave your family and go to another country to earn money. Then you’re going to be rich and be something in life.

NARRATOR: Secular goals are often promoted at school by peers and by well-intentioned educators.

(Counselor’s Office)

Woman, Counselor: And I see that you are in the top five percent of your class. You should have no problems…

Man, Counselor: You’re going to have to make some changes. What would you think about taking a few more courses in college math….involved in a few extracurricular activities…..College recruiters are looking for kids who are...

NARRATOR: Christian youths often feel pressured to pursue lucrative jobs and time-consuming careers. Such pressure may make it difficult to keep spiritual goals in view.

Nina, Germany: At school I’m constantly told what the teachers think and mean and what is

the best goal in life in their view. Stephen, United States: Because they see your academic performance, they see what you’re good at and what you’re not good at, and they try - they think they are helping. They try and push you in a certain direction. Michael, United States: They flat out told us: If you don’t go to college, you will be nothing,

you’re not going to make any money, you’re never going to make enough money to support a

family. You’ll never be able to get married, have kids or own a house. NARRATOR: Education can be valuable and beneficial... But how much education is necessary? Christian parents can help young ones bear in mind the Bible’s reminder at 1 John 2:17, “Furthermore the world is passing away, and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever”. Erica, United States: It’s in vain that you follow these pursuits, because in the end, this

world is going to be gone, and all those accolades you get, they mean nothing. Stephanie, United States: Once the glory and the glamour wears off, you’re left with what the meaning to your life is, and a lot of people don’t have a real meaning, or a real focus, or a real purpose. Karyl, United States: We actually had a chance to work with people who were rich and

famous, and I saw that they weren’t really that happy. If you have family problems and you

don’t have any kind of a relationship with God, what kind of happiness is that?

NARRATOR: Yes, the Bible makes it clear that lasting happiness and fulfillment will come only if you put the doing of Jehovah’s will ahead of all other things. To do this means taking a very important step. Jesus commanded that all his followers be baptized. Water baptism is evidence that we have truly dedicated ourselves to God. It opens the door to a joyful life of service to God. Some, however, put off taking this important step.

Daisy, United States: A lot of kids they really love Jehovah and they want to serve

Jehovah but they only think about “Well, what if I mess up”, or “What if I do wrong and then

Jehovah’s never going to forgive me or my parents?” To them, it’s like a whole load of

pressure. Madeleine, German: This constant feeling that I must render him an account is a little

frightening.

Simon, Britain: It’s wholesome and it’s also healthy to have that fear, because baptism is a big step. But because it’s such a big step, you see, it’s the biggest step you can take on the path to everlasting life. NARRATOR: But does it make sense to let fear hold you back from doing what is right?

Buffy, United States: For example, getting a driver’s license. There’s lots of consequences. You could crash. You could injure someone you love. But does it stop you from getting your permit?

Jessica, Britain: You’re accountable to Jehovah from the moment you know his standards, regardless of whether you’re baptized or not. Because you know what Jehovah expects of you, so from that moment on, you’re accountable to him. NARRATOR: Perhaps you have held back from dedicating your life to Jehovah. What are

some things that could help you to reach the point of baptism? First, you may need to prove

the truth to yourself.

Prove the Truth to Yourself Tanya, United States: A spiritual self-examination is so important. Kind of sit back and ask

yourself questions like “How real is Jehovah”, even though that’s a basic concept or something

that’s pretty basic. “How real is Jehovah to me? How real is the new system to me? Do I

really feel that we are so close to the end?” Marc, Paraguay (Missionary): I always trusted that what’s in the Bible is true and it’s good

and it’s beneficial for us. But there was a point in my life where I said “well I really need to

prove this to myself. It’s not enough just to have heard this and been taught that it’s true”. Ana, Brazil: I used to ask myself “How does Jehovah’s organization know about specific dates like 1914? How do they have that information?” What helped me to clear up those doubts, near the time of my baptism, was researching things. NARRATOR: Take personal bible study seriously. Proving the truth to yourself can clear up

any doubts that might hold you back. Aline, Brazil: We need regular bible study. Study the publications. Not just the basic things, but go deeper to make sure that it is the truth.

NARRATOR: But you need to do more than prove the truth to yourself. You also need to draw close to Jehovah.

.

Draw Close to Jehovah

Rebecca, United States: For a while my prayers were kind of automatic, but they weren’t too

meaningful. It wasn’t like I was talking to a friend. Andreas, Germany: It is something that you must work for, this appreciation for the truth.

You really have to build up a relationship with Jehovah. Peter, United States: Just read the Bible daily as we are constantly instructed. You develop

a strong relationship with Jehovah. Rebecca, United States: Then later, when I started praying longer, saying more meaningful

things, and then all of a sudden, you realize: I am becoming closer to Jehovah. Eliana, Brazil: It’s only by studying the Bible that we can make Jehovah real to us. When he is real to us, we’re going to feel motivated to worship him. NARRATOR: With time and effort, you can reach the point of dedication and baptism.

Personal research, daily bible reading, attendance at congregation meetings and heartfelt

prayer will help you prove the truth to yourself and get to know and love Jehovah. In time,

your heart will move you to make a complete dedication and lead a life of service to Jehovah

God.

SECTION: LEARNING TO ENJOY YOUR MINISTRY

NARRATOR: All dedicated Christians must heed Christ’s command to make disciples. As a young person, you have a unique opportunity to help others to serve God. However, not all young ones may fully enjoy the ministry. Karyl, United States: I found going into service, every – maybe once a week, once or twice

a week, to be very boring. You would knock on doors and no one would be home. And I felt

like: “Well, when’s our next coffee break?” Jennifer, Britain: When I was in school I really, I really did not like the ministry, because I’d

go out for an hour on Saturday and an hour on Sunday and I would not accomplish anything.

So I never felt I was getting anywhere, and that’s why I found it boring. NARRATOR: What are some things that can help you to learn to enjoy the ministry? First, cultivate the right attitude toward the ministry.

Cultivate the Right Attitude

Stephen, United States: A lot of young people think that the reason we go out in the ministry

is to leave literature with people. The real reason that we go out is to bring praise to Jehovah

God by our lips, and when you realize that, it really makes the ministry more joyful. Andre, Brazil: Going out in the field service isn’t a burden. It’s a privilege. It is something that will never happen again. And it’s worth the effort. Jennifer, Britain: I was speaking to some other pioneers, and they said the more you do the

ministry, the more enjoyable it is and that is so true. The more you go out in the service, the

more calls you have, you may be blessed with a bible study. Judith, Britain: Being on the ministry actually made me enjoy the ministry. I suddenly was at ease. I could talk to people and I was actually having a productive ministry. NARRATOR: Having the right attitude toward the ministry will help you to enjoy it. Even so,

the ministry can be challenging at times.

(Householder opens and immediately slam door on Brother while attempting to make presentation)

Kevin, Britain: But what I found quite difficult was the rejection that came with the ministry and I think young people in general find it quite difficult to deal with the rejection. Reem, United States: I have a problem with speaking to people I don’t know. I have – you know, I just can’t come about and say what I want to say. I might have this perfect presentation up in my head, but then whatever comes out my mouth, is like blah blah blah blah, you know, no real words! Alberto, United States: Some of the young kids might be scared of going out there and

talking to people. They might be shy. They might not like going up to people and telling

them. NARRATOR: For some young ones, there is something that they may fear even more than talking to a stranger.

(Brother happens to call on house of Boy who knows him)

Dirk, Germany: My greatest horror was meeting one of my schoolmates at a door, because not everyone knew that I was a witness. I sometimes looked down the street to make sure that none of them lived there and I had such strong inhibitions, and that blocks you. It only became better when I publically professed my faith in Jehovah.

Simon, Britain: Yeah, I think, especially when you’re young, fear of man plays a very big part. Not so much the service is perhaps boring, but rather daunting. Personally, I used to freeze at the thought of working in an area where my school friends would be, or that sometimes my teachers would live. I just used to get this kind of freezing of my heart almost, and I would just want to run the other way. So it’s definitely – you have to get over that initial fear of man.

NARRATOR: How can you overcome your fears and develop courage to speak?

Develop Courage to Speak Kevin, Britain: I think our mindset has to be right and the organization teaches us quite well

in that we bear a message from Jehovah, and really, they are not rejecting me. Ulrike, Germany: I have noticed that when you’re not enjoying yourself it’s because you’re not really prepared.

Josh, United States: Preparation is the key. If I don’t feel comfortable at the door, then I don’t do very well. Priscila, Brazil: In addition to proper preparation, prayer is very important, especially when you have negative feelings, because after all, it’s Jehovah’s work. It’s not carried out in our own strength. Tiago, Brazil: The example of the Apostle Paul helped me. He wasn’t ashamed of the good news. He preached zealously and that strengthened me to lose my fear. Brannon, United States: It’s just like jumping in a pool in the deep end for the first time. You’ve got to do it. And a lot of times, that call that you’re so nervous about, that house that you’re so nervous to go to, you have a really great experience. NARRATOR: Yes, it takes courage to preach God’s word. But always remember that our

courage comes from Jehovah – Psalms 27:14. What else is needed besides the right attitude

and courage?

(Householder unexpectedly asks unprepared Brother about 1914)

NARRATOR: To enjoy the ministry, you also need to develop a measure of skill.

Become Skilled in the Ministry

Judith, Britain: One of the biggest problems with youths in the ministry finding it boring is that they’ve never been trained. They go out there and they read the cover of the magazine, and say “Would you like to read this magazine? It’s on…”, and that’s all they do. They never do return visits. They don’t experience bible studies and that’s really where the joy of the ministry is.

Brian, Britain: I remember one of the sisters encouraging me to go street witnessing. And I must have gone out street witnessing for about 4 months before I actually plucked up the courage to speak to a person. And she was like “no, you’ve got to talk to people. I’m not going to walk around here with you”. She forced me to talk to people. And it’s only when you get into doing that, that you can actually get a bit of confidence. And you learn to trust in Jehovah and do some more preparation, and then it starts to work. But loving the ministry doesn’t come first, it comes with the effort.

Iraida, United States: You have to take the initiative and work with people like pioneers.

They have experience in the full-time service. Ask how they do it. Kenyatte, United States: Join the Pioneers Assist Others Program. That is what helped

me, working with some of the mature friends who have been pioneering for years. NARRATOR: With the help of your parents, or an experienced publisher or a pioneer, learn how to do deep research into God’s word. This can broaden your knowledge and help you to gain confidence as a teacher.

(Brother returns to Householder and gives prepared and confident witness about 1914)

NARRATOR: Becoming skilled in using the bible itself can also build your confidence and

increase your joy in the ministry.

Tony, Britain: It reminds me of the scripture where it says the word of god is alive and exerts power. That’s what it feels like when you’re talking to someone and bring out God’s word the bible. You show them a scripture and see their eyes light up. Denis, Germany: I also discovered that service simply is nicer. You feel that you really give

something to the people. Naomi, Britain: The feeling of actually being able to find a scripture that would then be able to

maybe change someone’s mind or show them the truth is an incredible feeling. NARRATOR: By developing the right attitude and the courage to speak, and becoming skilled in speaking to others, you will no longer find the ministry to be so daunting. In fact, it is something you will learn to enjoy.

SECTION: AN OPEN DOOR TO SERVICE

NARRATOR: The apostle Paul said “to what extent we have made progress, let us go on

walking orderly in this same routine”. Pioneering offers you many opportunities to advance

spiritually. Pioneering can help you to sharpen spiritual skills, your ability to use the bible, your

ability to teach. Pioneering also allows you to enjoy association with other zealous preachers.

Nevertheless, some may hesitate to enter this door of service.

Jenny, Britain: I think some youngsters think that you have to be cut out for pioneering,

that you have to be made for it. You have to love the ministry right from the start. Tiffany, United States: You go out with other pioneers, and they’re doing all these nice presentations at the door, conducting all these bible studies, and I felt like I didn’t know enough scriptures. Richard, United States: I didn’t know the Bible like they did. It seemed like their hands

would just find stuff. I didn’t even know that was there. So I just didn’t feel like I knew enough.

I felt like “How can I be a pioneer? I don’t know anything”. Elaine, Brazil: Many think that pioneers can do anything. Pioneers are narrow-minded.

They are saints. They have to be perfect. NARRATOR: Be assured however that you do not need to be perfect or unusually gifted to

enter the full-time service. Daniel, Germany: So I said “Wow, they can do it so well, why can’t I? They know the Bible by heart”! But now I simply know that good preparation is important and that everybody can manage to give a good witness with Jehovah’s help. Virginia, United States: Not every pioneer at first knows every scripture. They don’t know

how to answer every question. But as years go by, as months go by, you learn how to look

up those scriptures, find those scriptures, and you become better in the ministry.

Brannon, United States: Don’t compare yourself to the pioneer who’s been out in the ministry for 30 years. Measure yourself from when you start pioneering. Maybe after a year, re-evaluate, and you’ll be amazed how much progress you’ve made. NARRATOR: Nevertheless, some may still hold back from full-time service because of economic concerns or because they feel that priority should be given to education. How can you meet these challenges? First, by cultivating trust in Jehovah to provide for you.

Trust in Jehovah NARRATOR: Jesus told his disciples not to be anxious over material things but to seek first

God’s kingdom and to trust in God to provide for them.

Gabriel, Brazil: If we really trust him, then all these other things will be added to us. He will

never let us suffer necessity or want, because we have chosen to serve him. Erica, United States: I come from a single-parent home so my concern was really to help out

my mom. And she was like ‘I don’t know why you’re worried about it. Jehovah has provided for

us through all this time. If you pioneer we’ll have even more blessings”. NARRATOR: Even so, it is wise to apply Jesus counsel to maintain a simple eye. Tennille, United States: You just have to be practical. Sometimes when you go shopping you just have to say “Do I really need this, or do I just want it?”

Stephanie, United States: Sometimes you have to realize that it’s a simple life and full-time

service is a sacrifice.

Ana Carina, Brazil: 1 Tim 6:6-8 talks about being content with basic things, our sustenance

and covering. NARRATOR: While full-time evangelizers must trust in Jehovah, they must still work to support themselves. In preparation for a career in full-time service, it may be possible to select courses in school that will teach you a trade. While planning for your education, it is important to keep your focus on spiritual goals.

Focus on Spiritual Goals

Judith, Britain: I think possibly the key is to trust in Jehovah, because if you’re constantly feeling that if you don’t get this qualification, that qualification and the one that comes after, you are not going to get a job that’s good enough to support you pioneering, you won’t get that job that’s good enough to support you pioneering. And a lot of pioneers I’ve spoken to have fallen into their jobs, or they’ve started off in something small, and found that there was a way to get into something better.

Debora, Brazil: My parents supported me as a pioneer. But then I took a technical course in architecture. Things didn’t work out very well because of my work schedule, which messed up my pioneering. Then, I developed a skill that I didn’t even know I had - handicrafts. Jehovah has blessed me so much that now I’m earning more in handicrafts than I would have if I had stayed in architecture. John, United States: I went to a vocational school, a vocational high school in architectural drafting. I became friends with a brother who was an architect. And when I graduated, he invited me to work in the firm that he was in. I learned a lot of the things I know, just from working there.

Iraida, United States: I work as a secretary and I do medical transcription. Since I went

to a vocational high school, they trained me in office work.

Michael, United States: In my senior year, I took work study where you go to school half a day and I worked with construction. I did kitchen and bath remodeling. I learned a lot about the trade, and when I moved away, I got a job working at a retail store selling building materials. Tanya, United States: I’m a dental assistant on the job training and then the state that I live in,

you can go to school and get your license. But it’s only like one day a week, and it worked out

really well.

Tony, Britain: There are quite a number of people who are pioneers tell me they’ve got the perfect job, the most wonderful job. But I’ve never actually had that. The job I’m in at the moment, I don’t particularly enjoy, but I’ve been there for 4 years, and it allows me to pioneer. Judith, Britain: When we trust in Jehovah and recognize that he is the one that’s going to

make the way for us, then we put everything that we have into his hands, and he always

directs us in the right way. NARRATOR: What though if circumstances do not allow one to enter full-time service?

Virginia, United States: Jehovah knows our circumstances. Not all of us can be pioneers

now but if we do our very best, Jehovah will always remember that. Rosangela, Brazil: We know that our worth before Jehovah isn’t measured in terms of the number of hours that we attain, or the results. Numbers don’t matter to Jehovah. It’s the motivation. It’s what we have in our hearts. NARRATOR: So what will you do with your life? An open door leading to many avenues of service stands before you. Whatever your circumstances, make serving Jehovah your main goal in life. Have as full a share in the service as your circumstances allow. Set goals for yourself. Constantly seek ways to improve the quality of your service to God. If you make serving Jehovah your goal in life, you will truly find joy and fulfillment.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: THE VALUE OF PERSONAL STUDY

Rebecca, Britain: I launched into pioneering, you know, looking at things through rose-tinted glasses. I thought right; I’m going to start pioneering. My life is going to be perfect after this. And I’d never been a particularly good personal study or student. When it came to – I did the Watchtower and the basics. But I realized that after a while, I just wasn’t finding the joy. I was running out of steam. It was my personal study that was missing. It was a big hole where I was giving to people and not taking anything in. I needed to take in some fuel so that I would be able to give.

Kevin, United States: What helped me know what real service was about was getting better Bible reading routine and a closer relationship with Jehovah.

Mark, Britain: You’re giving out all the time on the ministry. If you’re not taking in spiritual food to replenish that supply, then your joy for the ministry just dwindles, and you don’t have success.

Tiffany, United States: What used to satisfy you before, as far as knowledge, may not do that for you now because you’re growing in the truth. So you need to continually just step up the research and everything when it comes to personal study.

Steven, Britain: Some people will try to rely on the joy that they’ll get from the ministry, from the results that they get. And in some territories, that simply won’t work. And so, what a

person in that situation has got to do is they’ve got to get joy that comes from within them.

They’ve got to put it there and that means that they’ve got to stoke up their boilers with good, quality personal study.

Jenny, Britain: For instance, if you’re doing your personal Bible reading and you look up some

points, you get really excited about it, and you want to share it. You want to use that on the

ministry.

Kenyatte, United States: I’ve come to find out that if I don’t sit down and actually meditate and

read on what Jehovah says, I can’t balance the other things. They all start to fall out my hand.

Bible reading and personal study is one of the smaller things that I constantly try to work on,

and then I can handle the more greater things.

Mica, United States: With me, it’s the Insight books. I’ve been starting to read them and

I just find it fascinating learning about all the different Bible characters.

Reem, United States: Well, I personally like the older volumes of the Watchtower and Awake. I mean, if you look into them, you see how many experiences are in the Watchtowers. It’s amazing.

Ulrike, Germany: On my way to work, I often listen to the tapes of the magazines, and then I

try to reread them at home. And in the evenings, depending on how tired I am, how

exhausted I am, I try to read a portion of the Bible.

Agapi, Germany: I have noticed that when I do personal study, my relationship with Jehovah gets closer. My appreciation grows and In turn, I have greater joy in bringing his word to the people.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: ALTERNATIVE WITNESSING [Now called: Public Witnessing] Angela, Britain: I think that you can get into the trap of just doing the same presentation all the time, every weekend. And that can get boring, especially if you don’t get a good response from it.

Jennifer, Britain: And one of the most important things for me in learning to enjoy the ministry was to do different types of ministry. Learning that it’s not just about first call, it’s also about return visits, street work, business territory. And the more different types of ministry that you can do, the more you really realize how varied and enjoyable it is.

Mark, Britain: And that’s what helped me to enjoy the ministry more. It was trying different forms of ministry, business territory, street work. And it keeps your mind focused on what you’re doing.

Erica, United States: I find that if I take my magazines on my way to work on the train and read them, I’ll always have somebody looking over my shoulder. And even precisely the other day - I’m trying to learn Portuguese, and I had the “Learn to Read and Write” brochure in Portuguese. And there was one lady that was sitting next to me and this other sister that I ride the train with. And she just kind of glanced over. She said “Oh, what’s that? You’re trying to learn Portuguese?” And she wanted more information. Well, we ended up witnessing to her.

Rakesh, United States: I’ve been stopping in at businesses like small corner stores where they sell the newspaper and things. And there’s a lot of people of Asian backgrounds there. I bring them literature in their language, and they get used to seeing me come around regularly, and they’re more open there.

Virginia, United States: Well in our territory we have a lot of outside buildings and when it’s really cold and snowing or raining, we take advantage of the subways. And if you go down there, there are witnesses all over but people know us. And we can place literally hundreds of magazines down there. People take them on their way to work.

Erica, United States: If we leave ourselves open to preach to someone at every opportunity possible, you’ll have great experiences.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: BETHEL SERVICE

Thiago, Brazil Bethel: I work in the printery on the job press that involves small printing jobs. Bethel is a unique environment that you don’t find anywhere else. You spend time with people who have the same way of thinking that you do, the same manner, the same way of treating people. The fact that I am working in a department that is involved with producing spiritual food, even if it is just carrying that spiritual food, that’s a great privilege.

Beniamino, Germany Bethel: In the upholstery shop, we upholster sofas, armchairs, chairs for the dining hall and for offices, and so forth. Back home, I completed my apprenticeship as an interior decorator which included upholstery. It fills me with great happiness, finally to do something purposeful in my life. Not to set out on a worldly career, not to work for money, but to work for Jehovah and for my brothers.

Micael, Brazil Bethel: When I thought of coming to Bethel, I thought about two main things. My spirituality and some kind of skill that could be useful to the organization. I thought about what would be most useful. Electronics appealed to me, so that’s why I studied it. I did courses and worked in this area. I don’t see any better way of using my skills. It’s something that brings me pleasure. Even if I am assigned to do another kind of work, I’m still working full-time for Jehovah. But since my abilities are being used in this way, that’s better still. Jehovah does not use the best. He uses those who are available. I’m available. My circumstances permit me to serve at Bethel and any young person, who is willing, who offers himself, will be used at Bethel. Jehovah will train him to do things the way he wants them done.

Luke, London Bethel: There is room at Bethel to have a good time and to enjoy yourself. You get to meet lots of interesting people, many of whom will be your age. And so I’ve had lots of good times with friends I’ve made that I wouldn’t have made if I hadn’t come to Bethel. I don’t think you have to be special to work at Bethel. You just have to be willing to do whatever you’re asked and you have to want to serve Jehovah.

Sven, Germany Bethel: Between doors, a circuit overseer asked me “Sven, have you ever thought about going to Bethel?” I stared at him quite aghast and said “Bethel? But I’m in full-time service! What would I do at Bethel? I’m already in a form of full-time service”. And he said “Well, just think, you can serve Jehovah not only out here, but also inside at Bethel”. At that point, I began to think about it. The result was that I attended the Bethel meeting at the District Convention, got a Bethel application and handed it in. I feel that I am doing something that has lasting value. I could also have used my skills in the world, but it would have been like depositing money in a bank that you know will be robbed tomorrow. That means that what you did would be gone. At Bethel, when you go home in the evening, it might not be that everything at work went great, but the time that you worked, was effectively used for Jehovah. And that gives you a super feeling. It’s impossible to describe.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: MINISTERIAL TRAINING SCHOOL [Now called: Bible School for Single Brothers]

James Hinderer, Instructor: The Ministerial Training School, or MTS, as we often refer to it, is a school to give single brothers who have served as elders or ministerial servants for at least two years. For example, a young brother can apply for Bethel when he becomes 19 years of age, but to apply for the MTS, he must be at least 23 years of age. So he’s had more experience, more background, and thus the additional training will qualify him to take on more and more responsibilities in the organization. Todd, MTS graduate: Well, I was able to begin regular pioneering when I was 15 years old. I really appreciated and loved the field ministry. So my goal as a young person was to attend Ministerial Training School. I applied to MTS when I was 21, then I applied to MTS when I was

22. Then I applied one more time when I was 23, and I was accepted to the 65th class of

Ministerial Training School in the fall of 2002. In just two months of classroom instruction, I feel that I received years and years of spiritual growth. In those eight weeks of school, I truly became a different person and I think all my classmates feel the same way. Those two months creates a strong bond of friendships between us that we’ll have our whole life. It will be interesting to see where all of us are at and how we’re benefiting and assisting the organization a year from now, ten years from now, and hopefully, forever.

Aaron, MTS graduate: Well, I was raised in the truth and I’m very grateful to my parents for that. I auxiliary pioneered for some time but really knew I could do more for Jehovah, so I began to regular pioneer. At 22 years of age, a good friend of mine invited me to help out in a Portuguese- speaking group. So, I moved there and started to learn a foreign language. Well, after there only a short while, the Circuit Overseer asked my partner and I, although with

a limited knowledge of Portuguese still, to help out where there was a greater need in a

congregation that had only one elder, one ministerial servant, and one regular pioneer. Little

did I know at that time, that branching out to learn a foreign language was going to bring many

blessings in the future. So I stayed there in the Portuguese congregation for about 5 years,

until I was accepted to the 4th class of the Ministerial Training School in 1989.

I was 27 when I attended the Ministerial Training School, and at the time, I thought that, well, I was a decent enough student of the Bible. But really, the school taught me that we need to dig deeper into the scriptures in order to follow principles and how to apply them in many circumstances in life. And one thing that really sticks out in my mind that we learned at the Ministerial Training School was to imitate Jesus. Imitate the way Jesus taught, imitate the way Jesus was a shepherd, how he kindly cared for God’s sheep. And certainly, if we were to approach every situation in life and think “How would Jesus handle this?”, it will help us be much more effective as shepherds and teachers.

Todd, MTS graduate: Well, growing up in your home congregation, sometimes you take things for granted. But the school really opened my eyes to organizational procedure and arrangements that had been invisible to me before. It gave me a readjustment and a clarification of different ideas and attitudes, and understandings of things. You really start to comprehend that Jehovah’s organization is so important and to appreciate any privilege that it extends to you. If you really apply yourself, MTS is a great jump start to your usefulness to Jehovah and to the brotherhood.

Aaron, MTS graduate: The Ministerial Training School also taught me much about how to handle organizational matters that if I was to have learned that on my own, would have taken me many years. In fact, in this regard, it really comes to mind how the principle at 1 Corinthians 4:6 which has really stuck with me for many years, which says: “Do not go beyond the things that are written”. For surely, if we do, we often get ourselves into much trouble. We’re much more successful in our counseling and in our teaching if we follow what’s written in the scriptures and in the Christian publications.

Todd, MTS graduate: Well, after graduation, I was assigned back to my home congregation. However I could not believe it, just three weeks later, I was assigned to the Russian congregation in Pennsylvania. Now, I had no prior exposure to the Russian language, but in a relatively short period of time, I began to give parts at every meeting in the Russian language. Now, it’s only been a little over a year now, so I can’t say that I’m fluent at all. But I usually understand what’s being said to me and can communicate my thought to Russian householders and to the friends.

Aaron, MTS graduate: At graduation, I received a missionary assignment to the country of Swaziland, which is located in Africa. Now I was very excited to receive that assignment, but I must say, I was a bit surprised too. It seemed strange because I had learnt Portuguese, and they don’t speak Portuguese there in Swaziland. But after a year and a half serving there, the ban had lifted on our work in Mozambique, and I was reassigned to Mozambique, where they do speak Portuguese. I served there in the missionary field as well as at Bethel, and I enjoyed many wonderful faith-strengthening and sometimes adventurous experiences.

And after serving nine years in Africa, I transferred back to the United States. I was pioneering and supported myself working as an interpreter for Portuguese. But in 2000, I was appointed as a circuit overseer, which is my present assignment and I’m enjoying it very much. And Jehovah certainly has poured on many blessings in this regard. Michael, Congregation elder: We currently have an excellent Ministerial Training School graduate assigned to our congregation, and these brothers are real gifts from Jehovah. Single, enthusiastic and ready to do whatever is asked of them. They work hard to present high-quality meeting parts and conscientiously care for all their assigned duties. They show genuine personal interest in others, and set an excellent example for young ones to focus on the ministry and to pursue spiritual goals. It’s like having a missionary assigned to the congregation, a modern day Timothy. We dearly love these brothers, and we really appreciate the significant part they play in the theocratic history of our congregations.

James Hinderer, Instructor: Yes, there are many privileges of service that the brothers in the organization can reach out for, but the Ministerial Training School is truly one way to qualify a young man’s theocratic training to enable him to be given additional responsibility and to take on this responsibility at an earlier age. For example, one graduate of the Ministerial Training School who is now in the circuit work, expressed himself this way, and I quote: “Attending the school served to expand my view of the organization. Previously, I would have been content to spend my whole life in the comfort of my home congregation. Serving with the host congregation where I went to school and with the other students, proved that we have family and friends in the organization wherever we serve. Friendships formed in school are still among my dearest and this is repeated with each new assignment”.

I’ve personally seen hundreds of young men receive this training in the MTS. And as a result of the training, they, like Timothy of old, they take good care of the brothers and sisters in the congregations where they are, and they are sincere in working for the furtherance of the good news. So the school does not just teach Bible facts. It’s helping these brothers to become mature, and those that see them, take note that their advancement is manifest to one and all. (Quotes 1 Timothy 4:15)

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: GILEAD MISSIONARY TRAINING

Peter, 111th class of Gilead: For many years, I had no real desire to even pioneer. Then later on, when I pioneered, I had no desire to go to Gilead.

Fiona, 111th class of Gilead: I’m the kind of person who doesn’t do things half-heartedly. If

I’m going to do it, I’ll go all the way. So once I was on that roll, missionary service was a goal

that I had set before me when I was about 17.

Peter, 111th class of Gilead: Really, missionary desires only came to my mind and heart after I got to know Fiona. Actually, the very first day we met, was in a special group doing business witnessing. And through the whole morning, we worked together, and we talked about missionary work. And that’s what made me think. I actually was single for the kingdom prior to that. But the more I got to know Fiona, my thoughts changed.

Preparing for Missionary Work

Peter, 111th class of Gilead: We moved into the Chinese congregation in Brisbane, Australia.

And that helped us to then basically set a course of life into motion that would lead eventually to

missionary work. We could see how we would adapt to pioneering in a foreign-language group,

learning the language, and adapting to the culture. It was a great indication whether we could

really do missionary work or not.

Fears and Doubts

Peter, 111th class of Gilead: People may even look down on you, thinking that you may be crazy. You know, like “Why would you want to go to another country when you could have a quiet, comfortable life here at home and still serve Jehovah?”

Fiona, 111th class of Gilead: I saw Jehovah’s hand in my life, and I find that the more

you put yourself in his hand, and the more scared you are, and the more insecure you are,

that’s when you really see Jehovah help you.

Peter, 111th class of Gilead: So I really didn’t feel I could qualify. I didn’t have the right qualifications spiritually, as well as within myself, when it comes to the fruits of the spirit. I felt I was still a bit too stubborn, a bit too proud, a bit too quick with my temper. It’s amazing how that when you make the goal in your mind, how Jehovah helps you to learn those things quite quickly and he puts you through situations which can mould you according to his desire so he can use you more fully in those areas.

The Gilead Experience

Fiona, 111th class of Gilead: I think my greatest challenge, especially now, having started Gilead, is going to be dealing with the fruitage of the spirit. You don’t realize, how many faults you have, and I think when we’re going to be in such a close community and living with others, your faults come out.

Peter, 111th class of Gilead: Definitely, Gilead School is truly a blessing from Jehovah. And we feel very privileged to be part of it because it really teaches you to develop

unbreakable faith and trust in Jehovah as well as his organization.

Fiona, 111th class of Gilead: I wish everyone could have the education we’re having here, and the education that we get on the Bible is just incredible.

Peter, 111th class of Gilead: If you can make the same choice, it might be hard, but put

Jehovah to the test.

Fiona, 111th class of Gilead: I recommend Gilead. It’s awesome! Anything in Jehovah’s service is only going to bring you enjoyment, happiness, a sense of security inside, despite living in a world that’s full of insecurities. I would never swap it for anything in the world.

(Peter and Fiona are serving as missionaries in Hungrary)