A Jehovah’s Witness representative clarified this week his group isn’t pushing literature or religious discussion on people passing by a sign-and-cart set up weekly on the Haines waterfront.
Sebabi Leballo said it’s the official policy for Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world not to take the initiative to approach people while set up in public. “They have to come up to us, then we speak to them,” he said.
The group recently acquired a sign permit to distribute literature on the waterfront, including at Lookout Park. They set up weekly on Wednesdays, when cruise ships are in town, Leballo said.
“We know there are many people from around the world who may never learn about the Bible in their countries. It’s an opportunity for them to learn more about the Bible,” he said.
Residents have questioned the presence of the Jehovah’s Witnesses at Lookout Park, expressing concerns that they might make visitors uncomfortable.
“I think because it is new and different and people haven’t seen it before, I assume that is why maybe some people were surprised and taken aback by it,” Leballo said.
He also stressed the goal of the literature isn’t so much to “recruit” or “convert” people, or solicit them to come to meetings, but to initiate a conversation about the Bible.
“Some (people) will decide to become Jehovah’s Witnesses, but that’s not the end game,” Leballo said. “It’s your personal decision. We’re just going to give you the information to make your decisions.”
Aside from the weekly presence at the waterfront, the group holds twice weekly public meetings. They primarily focus on one-on-one Bible education, which is usually initiated by the door-to-door visits Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for.
Before Leballo came to town almost two years ago, there was no Jehovah’s Witness presence in Haines. Last year, about three to four people were coming to the public meetings held at Leballo’s home. Now, that number is about 15.
“It’s definitely been increasing,” he said.
Leballo said his group has conducted one-on-one Bible studies with about 50 people.
Those conversations usually stem from a specific question someone might have, such as, “If God exists, why is there wickedness in the world?”
“We don’t believe in telling you what to believe. We show you what the Bible says, and then you decide what to believe based on that,” Leballo said.