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24 September 2014
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Nadine and Matthew Dodd spread the message
Nadine and Matthew Dodd spread the messa

Door to Door Witness

Pete Thompson
Jehovah Witnesses will readily talk to you all day about God - so why is their faith still viewed by some with suspicion? 大象传媒 Hampshire's Pete Thompson went to meet two dedicated local Witnesses.


Jehovah Facts

  • Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a worldwide Christian religion who actively share with others information about God, whose name is Jehovah, and about his Son, Jesus Christ.
  • There are over six and half million Jehovah Witnesses across the world all operating under the direction of a central body based in Brooklyn , New York.
  • Jehovah Witnesses hold regular meetings in Kingdom Halls as well as larger assemblies and conventions each year.
  • Jehovah Witnesses distribute magazines called The Watchtower and Awake!

As any door to door salesperson will tell you - for every success there are countless rejections - the work can be tough and is for the most part unrewarding.

It's hard enough flogging double-glazing but try telling people that God's Kingdom awaits them - it's no mean feat. Enter Matthew and Nadine Dodd.

They're both members of the Millbrook congregation of Jehovah Witness. Like all ordained Witnesses they are dedicated to spreading their message.

"Every baptised member of the Jehovah Witnesses is an ordained minister", said Matthew. "So we will get involved in the preaching work - which is why so many people know us for going house to house."

Spreading God's message is a central theme of the faith and has its origins in the New Testament, and the actions of Jesus.

"For people that have very blinkered information about Jehovah Witnesses, it's hard to sometimes change that view - because it's so embedded."
Nadine Dodd

"The first Witness in the Christian religion was Jesus and he set the example because he was going house to house and talking to people about what a wonderful future we have to look forward to", said Matthew.

"We're following in his footsteps. Going out to preach to people about the same message that Jesus left - that the Bible has real practical advice for the problems we face today."

It's probably not most people's idea of a fulfilling way to spend the weekend, but Matthew and Nadine seem to both enthusiastically embrace the practice of sharing their faith - which in reality means knocking doors.

But do they feel obligated? Their religion does seem to ask a lot of its followers.

"For us it's one of those things that does require commitment", said Matthew. "Becasue that's what God requires of us - he wants us to be happy and we we find that we are better off as a result", said Matthew.

Nadine and Matthew Dodd
Nadine and Matthew Dodd

"We do get tired", added Nadine. "We don't always spring to life but it is very very rewarding work. I'm a pioneer - which means I'm out most days and I find the more I do it the more I want to do it - the message is so positive and has such good benefits", said Nadine.

Despite the positive message, for many people the arrival of Jehovah Witnesses on the doorstep is at best an inconvenience

"For people that have very blinkered information about Jehovah Witnesses, it's hard to sometimes change that view - because it's so embedded", said Nadine.

"It could be that Dad has said 'don't open the door to Jehovah Witnesses' - because they think we're part of a cult or we are going to do this or that.

"It's just a shame that there are so many misconceptions - because people aren't prepared to find out the truth about things sometimes - so they judge - which is just human nature.

Which is why we call on people so they can make the decision themselves as to what we are like - rather than have someone else's view forced upon them", added Nadine.

last updated: 14/04/05
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