A section of the audience at the Annual District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses under the theme: 'Keep on the Watch' at Sabina Park in Kingston, yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Winning souls for the Lord is a relentless mission of the Jehovah's Witnesses, as they seek to spread The Word to thousands at their annual district conventions.

The convention, which dates back to the 1950s has seen 11,941 people being baptised so far. Earlier this year 86 persons got baptised at the first instalment of this year's gathering in Trelawny.

The numbers grew on Saturday when another 50 persons yielded to the call at Sabina Park in Kingston.

The convention which is being held under the theme 'Keep on the Watch' started with meetings this weekend and will also run next weekend.

Ninety-two-year old Bruce Beckford, one of the persons baptised at the convention, said he was elated that he finally realised his true faith. But he was sad that his wife never lived to witness his baptism.

His wife of 67 years died last July. She often beseeched him to be baptised and so now, Beckford has vowed to emulate her in tribute to her memory.

Good Christian

"I wanted to become a good Christian, I was already living a Christian life in a Baptist church but with my wife's interest I was bent on getting baptised in the Jehovah's Witness," he said.

Eighteen-year-old Jetniel Bernard, also got baptised on Saturday. She said she was overwhelmed with the turn she has made. According to Bernard, she was inspired during the staging of the convention last year.

"The convention last year 'Guided by God's Faith' has really moved me and I have decided that now is the time to go ahead and dedicate my life to Jehovah."

Minutes before the baptism, Howard Pearce, elder of the Elletson congregation encouraged the persons who would be baptised to use their senses after baptism.

"If you want to fight Satan successfully you have to use your God given senses wisely and it will allow you to act sensibly," he stated.

Pearce added that persons who are willing to be dedicated and baptised servants of Jehovah, are oftentimes faced with pressure from Satan, but if they are determined to continue to serve the Holy One, they have to use their senses. >