Letter to All Bodies of Elders, 1981-01-02: Witness to be given to the students in campus and colleges
WATCHTOWER
BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC.
CABLE WATCHTOWER
25 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11201, U.S.A. PHONE (212) 625-3600
January 2,1981
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
Dear Brothers:
In this country there are many universities and colleges with thousands of students attending and many of them living on the campus. In some areas the elders have used good initiative in arranging for an effective witness to be given to the students and the results have been encouraging. Much literature has been placed, many studies started and students are learning the truth. Do you have colleges or universities in your territory? Is it possible that you, too, could do more in reaching the students and others who work there?—1 Timothy 2:3,4.
Those who have been successfully doing this work say that it is necessary to approach the proper authorities at the college. Tell them that you are interested in providing Bible education on campus and would like to know what is required to do this. When the brothers learned what was required they endeavored to follow closely the requirements of the college and found school officials helpful and cooperative in many instances.
When the regulations of the college have been met, our brothers have in some cases been permitted to put up a table or 'booth' with a display of literature, doing so once a week, once a month or as often as permitted and in a location provided by the college. Alert, outgoing brothers and sisters (two or three at a table) have been able to draw students into conversations, answer their questions and offer Bible studies. An informal approach, avoiding debates, has proven to be best, providing the relaxed situation that allows students to open up and discuss matters freely. Students have generally been found to be open-minded, inquiring and willing to talk. You may find the college requires that literature offered must be without cost to the student. (In this case the congregation may wish to absorb the cost of the literature placed.) Three publishers working together were encouraged when five different students requested Bible studies in one afternoon.
We encourage you to inquire into these matters to see what can be done locally to give a more thorough witness if you have universities or colleges in your congregation's territory which are not receiving attention. If you have success in this activity January 2,1981
and would like to pass on to the Society any information on how you are handling the work in your area, this would be appreciated. If publishers in your congregation have interesting experiences, we would be pleased to have you pass these on to the Society also.
When your circuit overseer visits, we are asking him to check with you on the progress you have been able to make in this. It may be that he can be of assistance and help you in following through on this matter during the week of his visit and we are asking him to do so if appropriate.
We pray that Jehovah's rich blessing will go with you in all of this. We send our Christian love.
Your brothers,
Watchtower B.V. Society
OF NEW YORK, INC.
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We encourage what you have done so far to improve your experience. We can no longer give you more information on colleges or colleges in your area without receiving your permission. If you need assistance, please contact us.