By ANGELA PIDDUCK Friday, July 20 2012

The 2012 District Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, “Safeguard Your Heart!” which began last week-end at the Tobago Buccoo Integrated Facility, continues today Friday July 20 to Sunday 22 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, from 9.20 am daily.

Frank Pantin of the Watchtower 2012 Convention Committee says, “People may often hear the expression ‘Follow your heart’ but rarely hear ‘Safeguard your heart.’ The latter phrase will be heard many times during the Convention. We feel that all, including non-Witnesses, will benefit from the positive message and practical suggestions that will be highlighted at our 2012 Convention which will highlight Biblical references to the heart.”

Admission is free as Conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses are supported entirely by voluntary donations.

While Pantin hopes that all non-Witnesses will take this opportunity to share in daily fellowship with this well-known worldwide organisation, he made special reference to two items on Sunday’s programme – a public lecture at 11 am on Sunday morning, where the speaker will be Gordon Headley, a local representative of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and the Co-ordinator of the local Branch Committee. The theme of the lecture is drawn from Isaiah 65-17, “The Former Things Will Not Come up Into the Heart.” There will also be a play at 1.30 pm the same day, “What is True Love?” which dramatises Bible principles that should govern a romantic relationship.

During the Convention, programme parts will also encourage self-scrutiny and reflection, amounting to a three-day examination of one’s own figurative heart. Through lively discourses, dramatic Bible readings and presentations, and the play, attendees will see how protecting the figurative heart can help them to make wise decisions, improve family life, strengthen their personal relationship with God, and find true happiness.”

The daily themes and titles of programme parts are based on passages of Scripture, including 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Chronicles 28:9, and Matthew 12:34. The convention theme “Safeguard Your Heart!” is based on Proverbs 4:23. Strengthening one’s spirituality will be the focus of the programme.