Special to The Leader

LAKE CHARLES, La. — Jehovah’s Witnesses will soon hold their annual convention at the Burton Coliseum. They extend an open invitation for all to attend. The theme of this year’s program is “Imitate Jesus!”

Walter Littleton, a convention spokesman, states: “Jesus, the founder of Christianity, is widely considered as one of the most influential and significant men who ever lived. As Christians, a core belief of Jehovah’s Witnesses is that Jesus lived his life as a model for us to follow. The “Imitate Jesus!” convention will examine Jesus’ life, as outlined in the Bible, and emphasize how all—regardless of their background, lifestyle, or religion—can benefit in practical ways from his example and teachings. A highlight of the program will be the keynote address on Friday morning, entitled “Concealed in Him Are All the Treasures of Wisdom.”

Starting this weekend, and continuing for the next three weeks, Jehovah’s Witnesses will extend personal invitations to everyone from Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas to attend the convention. Locally, all of the area’s 46 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses will help distribute printed invitations to the convention. There is no admission fee. Conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses are supported entirely by voluntary donations.

The three-day event to be held in Lake Charles will begin Friday, July 24, 2015 at 9:20 a.m. An estimated 5000 will come to the Burton Coliseum for the Bible-based program. Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States are organizing 453 conventions—in 29 languages—in 124 cities. Worldwide, there are over 8,000,000 Witnesses in more than 115,000 congregations.