2
NARRATOR: W.R. Brown’s work in West
The allure of distant lands.
Mysterious.
Exotic.
For centuries men have sought
them for wealth, power, and
adventure. But others have
sought distant lands for a noble
purpose. As fields in which to
proclaim the good news of
God’s Kingdom.
Jesus told his disciples, “You
will be witnesses of me to the
most distant part of the earth.”
In imitation of the early
apostles a few courageous
men and women early in the
twentieth century took the good
news to remote corners of the
world.
Edwin Skinner preached in the
sub continent of India.
the words of Nathan Knorr
Africa earned him the
nickname
“Bible Brown”.
And Kathe Palm, working
alone, witnessed in mining
camps, company towns and
sheep ranches throughout the
republic of Chile.
Thus by the early 1940’s a
limited amount of missionary
work was being done. But vast
areas of the world had not yet
received a witness. How could
this good news be spread to
the ends of the earth?
September 1942. The world is
at war. In sharp contrast peace
loving Christians attend the
“New World Theocratic
Assembly” held earth wide in
85 cities. At the main city,
Cleveland, Ohio, USA, the
president of the Watchtower
Society, Nathan Knorr, delivers
the talk, “Peace – Can It Last?”
He explains a startling Bible
prophecy that was in the midst
of fulfillment. Many in
attendance expected the then
raging war to climax in God’s
battle of Armageddon. To them
come as a surprise.
NATHAN KNORR: This
international war is not the
battle of the great day of God
Almighty. Before Armageddon
comes the scriptures show a
peace must come.
NARRATOR: Plans were made
to take advantage of the
anticipated peace period.
MILTON HENSCHEL:
I was Brother Knorr’s secretary
and the Governing Body was
the Board of Directors in those
days and the Board of
Directors had the meeting and
they talked about the program
of education that Brother Knorr
had in mind.
NARRATOR: The result?
ALBERT SCHROEDER: I was
one of three that received a
special invitation to see Brother
Knorr at his office. Brother
Keller,
Brother Maxwell Friend,
and myself
were given astounding news.
That the Governing Body had
decided to open up a
missionary school.
NARRATOR: This missionary
school was given the Biblical
name “Gilead”.
HENSCHEL: There was
something to use, that building.
It was a nice place to have
studies, its quiet, fresh air, very
healthy surroundings, so they
could concentrate on their
studies.
NARRATOR: Confidential
invitations to the first class
were extended by letter to 100
full time ministers in the United
States.
CHARLOTTE SCHROEDER
(1st Class)
(Served in Mexico and El
Salvador. In 1956 she
became the wife of Albert
Schroeder, one of her former
Gilead instructors, who later
became a member of the
Governing Body):
I was working with a group of
sisters, special pioneering, five

of us. We had one mailbox. JULIA WILDMAN (1stClass)
We’d go and get our mail, of (Served in Mexico and El
course, everyday. And three of Salvador): I just went home to
us got three long beautiful see my mother and all my
envelopes from the Watch clothes fit into an overnight bag
Tower Bible and Tract Society. and I had a carton with all the
We immediately sat down and Society’s books from my library
read our letters and then we that I put into a little cardboard
couldn’t say another word to suitcase and took my overnight
each other because in the bag with an extra dress or two
letter were instructions to and that was it. That’s all the
discuss this invitation to this preparation there was.
new school of Gilead only with
Jehovah. SIMPKINS: Brother Knorr
showed us around the farm.
NARRATOR: Mildred Simpkins We realized that would be our
received such a letter. home for five months. And
there would be peace there in
a war torn world at that time.
NARRATOR: The dedication of
the school took place on
February 1, 1943.
SCHROEDER: During the
operation of the first class
several patterns were set for
future classes. Very active and
humorous but at the same time
MILDRED SIMPKINS (1st very serious and inquired of
Class) deeper things pertaining to
(Served in the Mexican field): Bible prophecies and the Bible
Please bring your birth itself.
certificate or equivalent with
st
you, do not plan on returning to DOROTHY ARONSON (1
Class): I didn’t know what to
your home after you complete
the course for no doubt you will do. I was awestricken. I
go direct from Gilead to your thought “How little I know, what
am I going to do?”. But they
new assignment.
didn’t mind, they helped us and
they were so kind. All of our
instructors were so loving.
FRANCES GARCIA (1st
Class): In fact. I’ll tell you,
Bother Friend used to call us
his precious guinea pigs. They
were working with us and we
were working along with them,
whatever was presented to us
to do. We were just willing. A
hundred willing people is what
it was.
NARRATOR: There were
CHARLES EISENHOWER (1st
Class) examinations and those who
passed were granted a behind. They don’t even know
(Served in Cuba and
Argentina): diploma. In its first 50 years the
school graduated 6707
We filled out the application
and sent it in to the Society and students sending them to 187
lands.
a month later we got our
invitation for Gilead. Well, we
still didn’t feel we were worthy ALBERT MANN (1st Class)
(Served in Chile): One thing
of it. But we sold the car and
the trailer, said good-bye to that sticks very clearly in my
everybody because we never mind was a statement by
Brother Fredrick Franz when
thought we’d get back to see
them again. he said this is not an
experiment. We know that the
good news has to be preached
3
and that is the purpose of this greeted by stacks of books that
school of Gilead. will help them thorough the
next five months.
HENSCHEL: As long as this
peace period after the war JACK REDFORD (GILEAD
would be going we would be INSTRUCTOR) (Former
doing this work of missionaries missionary in Vietnam:
and we would reach all the Brother Knorr, the Society’s
world if possible. president wanted the students
to have an education in the
NARRATOR: Gilead is still Bible and he wanted them to
training missionaries. What cover every book of the Bible
was it like to be a member of and to put as time on each
the 95th class on the school’s book of the Bible as five
50th anniversary. months allow. And as we go
through we assign certain
verses or chapters for research
and then the students can go
to the Society’s indexes, look
up information and present that
in class. So that truly by the
time they finish Gilead school
the Bible really has been their
textbook.
NARRATOR: On the evening
of their first official day enrolled
in the school the students will
introduce themselves to the
Bethel family. It’s a time for
reflection and even some
humor.
ULYSSES GLASS (GILEAD
REGISTAR):
We’d like to welcome you
students of the 95th class. And
today we would like to have
what we call an orientation
session.
NARRATOR: The students
come to the school between
the ages of 21 and 40. They
must have good physical
health and stamina, speaking BROTHER BILLINGSBY:
English well and have been full And one of those many
time ministers at least two blessings I have to say is
years. meeting my present wife,
Mumtaz. (laughter) I mean by
GLASS: They’re going to leave that, she’ll always be my wife.
their family, they’re going to
leave their friends, they’re
going to leave their home,
they’re going to leave their
language, their climate, the
food, everything, it’s all gone
what kind of climate they’re
going to get into. They don’t
even think about that because SISTER STEDMAN:
they have a purpose a goal. I came to love Jehovah myself
And that’s why it’s such a joy to as I was a young child, my
be a teacher. You don’t have to grandmother used to relate
motivate these kids, they’re Bible stories to me as I was
ready to go. growing up.
NARRATOR: The students tour
the Gilead library and learn
where their 175 written tests
and reports will be returned to
them. In a classroom they are

BROTHER BOKER:
I asked the man, I said, “Do
you honestly believe that?” And
he said, “Well yes, all of
Jehovah’s Witnesses do, it’s
what the Bible says and we
take it as the word of God.” I
was immediately convinced
that I wanted to study with him,
he was the first one I ever met
that really believed the Bible
and I wanted to be part of that.
BROTHER NUMMINEN:
Can you imagine that I have NARRATOR: The school starts
had long hair, a big motorcycle, in earnest. Using different
and leather jacket? (laughter)
styles and teaching aids the
principle instructors take the
students on virtual verse by
verse discussion of the Bible.
SISTER DONZE:
I was raised a good Catholic,
he asked me a whole bunch of
questions, why, why did I go to
church? Why did I celebrate
the holidays? But, of course, I
didn’t know the answers. That
made start asking him about
Jehovah’s Witnesses and what
he was being taught.
BROTHER THOMAS:
I first came in contact with the
truth from my two best friends.
We three together were very
keen surfers. Surfing was our
entire lifestyle. Well, unknownst
to me they started studying the
Bible and in time one of them
came to tell me about the
beautiful new system in terms
that would capture my interest,
perfect surf everyday he
promised. (laughter)
SISTER LUTTRELL:
One of my favorite scriptures I morning the student may find
know will come true which is himself presenting a report.
Malachi 3:10 which says “Test
me out please in this respect,
Jehovah of armies has said,
whether I shall not open up to
you the floodgates of the
heavens and actually empty
out upon you a blessing until
there is no more want.” Thank
you for letting me be here.
GLASS: And it says by what
means did Jesus want people
to identify him as the Christ?
REDFORD: That it had 10
horns. Now the 10 horns seem
to picture all of the pieces into
which the Roman Empire was
eventually divided
GLASS: Let’s have two
reasons why it is not
admissible for a prophet to be
destroyed outside Jerusalem?
REDFORD: So here the Anglo
American World power would
fight against the remnant, the
holy ones.
GLASS: Well we’ve enjoyed
this session with you very
much and we appreciate all
your comments your
observations but that will end
our session for today. Thank
you class dismissed.
4
NARRATOR: About mid way
thru the course a very special
day comes for the 95th class.
The countries where the
students will be sent have been
selected.
BROTHER BUELOW:
It’s like an accumulation of
experience that is just
bestowed upon you. If we were
to add up all the years of
experience these brothers
have and then they just give it
to you, it’s unbelievable.
NARRATOR: To benefit from
the course Gilead students THEODORE JARACZ:
This is the day when we hand
study 3 hrs every night. Come
out assignments to all of the
students and they wonder just
where it’s going to be.
BROTHER LUTTRELL:
Well another aspect of the high SISTER JONES:
priest’s garment that we want The morning we knew that we
were going to get our
to talk about is the blue
assignment we went down to
sleeveless coat. What is
morning worship and then we
interesting is that the bottom of
had to line up and we were
this coat was handsome fringe
of bells and pomegranates and waiting to get our assignment
and my stomach was churning
taken into its entirety this
and I felt really sick, Sick with
woven garment pictured Jesus’
excitement as well as the fact
trueness and faithfulness
toward Jehovah. that you knew that whatever
Brother Jaracz said the next
sentence that came out of his
NARRATOR: They have a
mouth would determine the
work assignment during a
rest of your life.
portion of every school day.
And they keep their preaching
skills sharp with regular JARACZ: Well we’re going to
participation in the ministry. send them not too far away into
the Carrebean area, the
REDFORD: A person who Dominican Republic.
becomes a missionary should And they’re going to join
be one of those who just loves another couple that is being
the field service because that’s sent to Taiwan.
all they do. 140 hrs a month It’s to Chile.
they spent preaching and
teaching. He’s going to adjust
to his new assignment
although it’s very different
because he loves the people
there, although they’re
different. And because he loves
people he’ll be able to get
along with his fellow
missionaries in peace and unity
in the missionary home. SISTER BUELOW:
We’re just so excited about
going, When we came to

Gilead it was anywhere in the
world. And we felt like no
matter where we were sent you
know we’d be happy to jump
into it. And so since it is Chile
it’s such a wonderful place it’s
like better than our dream.
JARACZ: Well a good place is
Estonia. To the Leeward
Islands.
Lesotho. Argentina. Honduras.
Cambodia. JOHN BARR:
But the effect of God’s word on
our mind can have the same
effect if we let it. This is the
point if we get into it’s field of
influence. But we’ve got to do
that and it means effort on our
part.
JARACZ: So we have to see
BROTHER NILSSON: the organization and our
I have a little anxiety, will we
position and our place in it and
stay healthy, will everything then we’re going to be able to
workout good. Will we have the
explain it to other people. If you
opportunity to continue our don’t see it how can you
service or not? But we will turn
explain it? You can’t teach
to Jehovah and ask for him and someone something that you
his help and support in this
don’t understand.
regard.
NARRATOR: About this time
the class photograph is taken.
And the class work continues
without letup. One of the great
blessings of Gilead is to be
able to listen to lectures given
by members of the Governing
body.
DANIEL SYDLIK:
Make the truth come alive in
you then you’ll come alive. And
you’ll find joy in your life. And
you will find joy because you’ll
know that you’re associating
with your God, Jehovah. You
will feel that you are walking
hand in hand with him.
CAREY BARBER:
REDFORD: Most of them
What is the proof of a good
seem to be impressed at the
teacher? Brother?
end of it all with the humility of
the members of the governing
BROTHER: The things that the
body. Brothers are very warm
student does.
and friendly, down to earth,
very human, and this makes a
BARBER: Get results from
tremendous impression on the
your student. Not for yourself
students as they leave here,
but get good results from your
that there is a loving caring
student.
kind organization that is
backing them up.
NARRATOR: As the course
nears its conclusion the NARRATOR: After listening to
students find time for a bit a program of encouraging talks
relaxation and reflection. they make their way to the
stage for their last moments as
Gilead students. Very soon
5
BROTHER BUELOW: What I they will be Gilead graduates
think I’ve gotten out of it is I’ve and the 95th class will be sent
gotten a heritage a deeper to the ends of the earth.
heritage into the truth. You get
this feeling that these are the GLASS: It’s when they walk
people that have worked hard across the platform and get
they’ve toiled and that’s the their envelope with the
family. But now they’re handing diplomat in it. And they know
the torch to you and they’re what that means then, this is it,
saying run hard with it. You can now they’ve got it they’ve made
keep the work going. it, they got through, the next
stop now is their assignment.
SISTER JONES: You’ll never And we know that isn’t a stop
ever get another opportunity to really it’s just a beginning for
spent at least 8 hrs a day them and it’s just like part of
without having to worry about the family is leaving you. You
anything else just to just can’t escape that.
concentrate on building
yourself up spiritually and REDFORD: It’s a remarkable
building your faith up. You’ll testimony to faith and to
never ever get another chance confidence in the organization
to have the time or the to see what young people are
opportunity to do that and I doing. They’ve sacrifice
wouldn’t of swapped it for the everything that the world can
world. offer, they’ve devoted
themselves to this one purpose
NARRATOR: Graduation day of being able to qualify to be at
comes quickly. The Jersey City Gilead. Now to study and to
assembly hall fills with Bethel qualify to go out and give
family members, close family of themselves in further sacrifice,
the students and special you have to love them for what
guests. they are doing.
SCHROEDER: We say Good NARRATOR: What is life as a
morning, this is the happy day missionary like? Consider just
of graduation for the 95th class 3 countries where missionaries
of the Gilead school. have been active for many
years.
NARRATOR: This is the final
step. What awaits them are SISTER: We didn’t really know
envelopes with their diplomas what to expect at this point we
and later one way tickets to were ready and willing to go
their assignments. wherever Jehovah would send
us.
JOHN STUEFLOTEN
(Watchtower Farms BROTHER: It was a little
Committee): You’re going to strange but we were really
18 countries that has a total positive and prepared because
population of approximately of the training of Gilead
170 million people. especially the part missionary
service it really trains you to
DEAN SONGER (Factory anything and you were full of
Committee): Obviously you fire and you’d talk to anyone.
will initially be learners. Who
are the experts, the brothers
who are already there.
SYDLIK: Teach yourselves and
others too to love Jehovah with
all your hearts soul mind and
might and your neighbor as
yourself. Do this and you’ll find
that your joy will be great and
your reward of everlasting life
will be made sure.
HARVEY LOGAN (TAIWAN):
 6
You come out with a view as it magazines, Young People Ask,
was stressed when we were and tracts)
young at Gilead, this is a one
way ticket and this is your NARRATOR: Missionary life is
assignment this is where you’re truly rewarding. But it brings its
going to be until Jehovah own special challenges.
brings the new system.
ED MOBLEY (COTE
NARRATOR: Missionaries D’IVOIRE): We’re in a country
around the world begin their where malaria runs high and
day with the discussion of the any sickness is a handicap to
Bible text. the work, So when we get sick
it doesn’t make us feel good
(Different languages discussing naturally and it come become
daily text from Cote d’Ivoire, discouraging but as a whole we PAUL SANCHEZ (ECUADOR)
Ecuador, and Taiwan) see how Jehovah bring us thru. EMMANUEL TOMASZEWSKI (59th CLASS):
(COTE D’IVOIRE) (79th When we had our memorial
We get the needed medicine
CLASS): 1854 just for our congregation.
NARRATOR: By whatever and with time we’re back on
People are very friendly and Besides that in our territory we
means of transportation the the road again.
practically at each door you had something like 29 baptized
entire day will be spent in
preaching. One of the first HEIDI POHL (COTE can talk with somebody. We sit just from our congregation for
challenges a missionary must D’IVOIRE): In order to be down at nearly every door. We one assembly. And in four visits
overcome is learning the local happy as a missionary one meet very few people who say of the circuit overseer the
language. shouldn’t be fussy, one I do not believe in God. They congregation divided 3 times.
shouldn’t be afraid of dirt, of are a people who as soon as
(Brother teaching other brother smells, of mosquitoes, of all you ask “Can we talk about TOMASZEWSKI: That is not to
the word “agree”) these little beasts and also the God?” Reply, “Of course.” say that all Bible studies come
rats and mice and all this. I into the truth but at least in
MARY CHRIST (TAIWAN): mean just can’t avoid it ARLENA MOBLEY (COTE conducting several studies you
After being in Gilead taking in because you are in the tropics. D’IVOIRE): You see how have the feeling of working
people are responding to the thoroughly. Of giving a
all this wonderful knowledge
and then come to Taiwan and NARRATOR: Taking turns message and you’re able to thorough witness to all these
can’t speak the language. some missionaries will be share the kingdom truth with people and that makes us very
Chinese is very difficult and so assigned to shop in local them, study with them, see happy.
I found it very frustrating. I markets for food and other them make changes and it’s
couldn’t express myself. At essentials needed at the fulfilling when you see them NARRATOR: Chores around
learning how to thank Jehovah. the home are part of the
least a year or more before you missionary home.
How wonderful Jehovah God is regular assignment.
could really start to carry on a
when they learn that and that
conversation with people.
he is center of all true worship SISTER: Missionary life has
and admiration it just swells got it all. You feel that you’re
your heart. using your life to the full in
Jehovah’s service. You learn so
NARRATOR: Most much living the way we do.
missionaries preach in cities
and towns, but sometimes they KAREN EVANS (COTE
witness in more primitive D’IVOIRE): To be a missionary
territories. They find good you can’t be afraid of work
results. because there’s a lot of
physical work in a missionary
WALTRAUD BISCHOF (COTE BISCHOF: The ministry is home to keep it clean and also
D’IVOIRE) (46th CLASS): good. I wouldn’t want to there’s lots of work in the
We have to wash our change with anybody. It’s really congregation helping brothers
vegetables nicely in the kitchen good. People are friendly, they and sisters and especially in
KAREN ETHERIDGE and put that in the bleach water are hospitable. When you go the field. There’s enormous
(ECUADOR) (76th CLASS): for 20 min. to kill the amebas from house to house you can changes that people have to
But then when you are limited but after a while you just get sit down in general, they listen make so you really have to
with the language it’s just not used to it. and it’s very easy to have work hard in helping people to
possible. so then you have to studies. I have more studies come in the truth.
work extra hard to know how to NARRATOR: The break at than I can take care of.
put it in a simple way that you midday finds the missionaries NARRATOR: Missionaries
can understand what you are back at home for a family meal. have the privilege in teaching
saying and that the person can In the afternoon it’s back to the many people the truth that
understand what you are field for preaching. leads to everlasting life. This is
saying. And you dread them to the grandest reward.
ask you any questions cause
you have no idea what they
ask you.

(Brothers and sisters is service

in other languages using

NARRATOR: What has been
the accomplishment
thousands of missionaries
planting seeds of Kingdom
truth around the world?
Consider just 2 examples.
First, Japan. A country steeped
in the Shinto and Budhist
religions it did not seem at first
to be a likely location for a
large harvest of Christians. In
fact prior to the arrival of
missionaries in 1949 the good
NANCY WARGNIER (COTE news of God’s Kingdom was
D’IVOIRE) (91st CLASS): almost unknown.
When you feel that love from
you brothers and sisters and
from the interested people that
you have the privilege to study
with them it’s just wonderful
feeling.
BROTHER: I study with
Seyvundo and his wife
Mercedes they study with sister
Anito Jova and she studied
with Margarita. So we have 1- LLOYD BARRY (11th CLASS):
2-3-4 generations
We looked at those people and
we knew at the time there were
HERMAN GAU (ECUADOR): I only a handful maybe half a
believe that I do better than dozen Kingdom publishers
any medical doctor here that active in the country, we
saves the life. Because he can wondered well will anything
save the life for about 5 – 10 – ever come out of this?
20 years but if I can help
somebody to accept the truth I NARRATOR:
In time more
can help them to live forever. missionaries would come. Over
What better thing can you do? the years some 168 would
serve there. Listen to Matsue
NARRATOR: A very full day of Ishii one of the handful of
work will likely conclude with
Jehovah’s Witnesses
spiritual meetings or personal preaching in Japan before the
and family study.
arrival of Gilead missionaries.
YOLANDA SCHUILO
MATSUE ISHII: Their influence
(ECUADOR): You go to bed was truly marvelous. Before
tired but satisfied because you
the war in Japan there were no AUGUSTO MACHADO: It’s
feel you did what you were meetings or assemblies. We
supposed to.
never got together. We didn’t
study the Bible together. So
NARRATOR: Even though they when the missionary brothers
come from distant lands
and sisters came meetings
missionaries have found new became regular. Conventions
places to call home.
were started and all sorts of
things got organized. So that
BROTHER: My family is here, we who’d been blind up until
my work is here, all my friends
then were brought to life
all my children are here. Now I spiritually.
am determined to stay here.
NARRATOR: Those early brothers so that they could
MOBLEY: And it’s our desire to missionaries found a zealous assume leadership of the work.
remain as missionaries as long
people, enthusiastic to learn.
as Jehovah permits, our health Japan was a fertile field ready NARRATOR: The message of
permits, and the governments
for harvesting.
on foreign soil permits. It’s a
career, it’s a way of life for us BARRY: In the first 10 years in
and we would like to remain Japan we had up to 60
forever.
missionaries in the country by
that time. We got just 1000
publishers. I remember when
we reached that 1000 mark
of after 10 years of hard work.
And now in Japan they get
1000 publishers increase every
month. You talk about
Jehovah’s speeding the work
up well that means it’s been
speeded up 120 times since
those early days of missionary
work.
NARRATOR: Now consider
what Gilead missionaries have
accomplished in the vast
country of Brazil. Though long
dominated by the Catholic
religion, Brazil too proved to be
a receptive field for seeds of
Kingdom truth. A graduate of
the first class remembers the
daunting task of organizing the
preaching work in a land so
vast.
CHARLES LEATHCO (1st
CLASS): The publishers were
thinly spread all over the whole
country even though there was
less than 400. When I came
with my partner Harry Black
there was 394 publishers, a
peak in the year of 1925.
NARRATOR: The early
missionaries shared in a battle
to legalize the Watchtower
society. Only after many years
did their efforts triumph.
Nevertheless the preaching
work went on. The branch
committee coordinator in Brazil
was taught the Kingdom truth
by a Gilead missionary. He
explains why such missionaries
produced good results in his
native land.
precisely the same now a days
in the congregation, if a student
has a study with a brother who
is weak his progress is slower.
On the other if he happens to
have a good teacher his
progress will probably be
faster. The missionaries
contribute to more rapid
progress. Without them it
would certainly take much
more time in the training of the
truth has continued to prosper
and grow. The result? Today
more that 360,000 in Brazil
witness to Jehovah’s name and
on the average more than 60
new ones are baptized every
day. Similar success stories
7
could be told in many other
lands. For example in
Argentina, Mexico, Italy and
Nigeria. In 1993 the total
number of Jehovah’s
Witnesses was 75 times what it
had been in 1949. Worldwide
during the schools first 50
years Jehovah’s Witnesses
grew from 129 000 to 4.7
million in 231 countries. Gilead
missionaries played a major
part in paving the way for that
increase. When Gilead was
established more than 50 years
ago vast areas of the earth had
not been reached with the
good news. Today millions still
have not heard the message of
salvation. The missionary
example encourages all young
Christians to make the full time
preaching work their career. It
encourages those with family
or other responsibilities to do
their utmost to reach out to
others with the good news.
In it’s new home in Patterson,
New York,
Gilead will continue to fulfill it’s
mandate to train new
missionaries. All dedicated
Christians will continue to work
with the missionary spirit to
seek out the meek hearted until
Jehovah says, “The work is
done.”
GLASS: For than 50 years
Gilead has had an impact on
the worldwide preaching work.
It continues to prepare young
men and women for missionary
service and it’s wonderful to
reflect on what they
accomplish. Thanks to their
efforts and with Jehovah’s
blessing great numbers in
many lands continue to be
helped to gain in a knowledge
of the truth. This is the legacy

that Gilead is leaving behind. It countries with a combined
is something that will never be population of some 170 million
forgotten. people. So how will you
influence those people?” By
reflecting the wisdom of
Jehovah, the new missionaries
will be able to help others to
become worshipers of
Jehovah, the Source of
boundless wisdom.
“Becoming All Things to All
Men” was the theme of the
Gilead Training in the following talk, developed by
Most Holy Faith Lloyd Barry of the Governing
Graduation of 95th Body. (1 Corinthians 9:22, King
James Version) Some 45 years
Class ago, Brother Barry himself was
Watchtower December 1, 1993 a student in the 11th class of
Gilead. Now the 95th class
“OUR students have been well appreciated receiving practical
trained in the most holy faith.” counsel from a former
These were the opening missionary with years of
remarks at the graduation experience in a foreign land.
program of the 95th class of He encouraged the students to
the Watchtower Bible School of identify quickly with the people
Gilead, held on Sunday, in their new foreign territory by
September 12, 1993. On that getting to know the local
morning the 4,614 invited culture and learning the
guests and members of the vernacular language. He said
Bethel family who were that this can best be done by
gathered at the Jersey City mingling and working with the
Assembly Hall were led in an local people as well as by
opening prayer by George learning their customs and
Gangas. Brother Gangas has adopting them whenever
been a member of the Bethel appropriate.
family for 65 years and at 97 is Next, Dean Songer of the
the oldest member of the Factory Committee spoke on
Governing Body. the intriguing theme “Set Free
From Duty.” After more than 35
Albert Schroeder, also of the years of full-time service,
Governing Body and chairman Brother Songer understands
of the program, stated: “For what it means to live a focused,
five months the Gilead course simple life, concentrating on
has been based on the most the work at hand, free from
holy faith.” But what is the material concerns. And that
“most holy faith”? He explained was the essence of his counsel
that this “most holy faith,” to the students. The singers at
mentioned at Jude 20, is the Jehovah’s temple were set free
whole range of Bible truth. So from duties common to other
the Gilead course is based on Levites in order to devote
Jehovah’s Word, the Bible, themselves fully to their special
which is its principal textbook. assignment. (1 Chronicles
9:33) Similarly, Gilead
Students Receive More missionaries have been set
Instruction free from such ordinary matters
The first speaker was John as secular work so that they
Stuefloten of the Watchtower can concentrate on their
Farms Committee, who spoke special service. Brother Songer
on the theme “Benefiting From concluded with this admonition:
the Influence of Wise Persons.” “Keep your outlook focused
The Bible says that those who and your life simple. Your
are “walking with wise persons responsibility as those set free
will become wise.” (Proverbs from duty is to be in the work
13:20) During the Gilead by day and by night, praising
course, the students spent over Jehovah.”
900 hours studying the Bible.
Brother Stuefloten asked the Governing Body member
students: “How will Jehovah’s Daniel Sydlik followed with the
influence affect you in the theme “Teaching Others How
future? You are going to 18 to Get the Best Out Of Life.” He
8
encouraged the students “not their “spiritual root system
only to teach doctrine but to be against any damage.” They
bold enough to show the were exhorted to ‘continue
people what they must do to drinking the water of life from
bring their lives into harmony Jehovah because only God
with the will of God.” Good can make a tree.’
teachers must inspire and
motivate. “Be conscious of The final talk was given by
building Christian values rather Carey Barber, a member of the
than merely teaching rules and Governing Body. After 70 years
regulations,” he said and of full-time service, Brother
added in conclusion: “Above all Barber could confidently speak
things, dear brothers, teach on the subject “Give Jehovah
yourselves and teach others Exclusive Devotion.” The vast
how to love, for it is a perfect majority of mankind have not
bond of union.”—1 Corinthians given Jehovah exclusive
13:1-3; Colossians 3:14. devotion. (Deuteronomy 5:9)
However, as Brother Barber
After months of training, the indicated, in spite of our
students grew especially fond imperfection, “it is quite
of their two Gilead instructors. possible to be wholly devoted
Jack Redford, a former to God.” He added: “No one
missionary himself, spoke first, can really say: ‘The Devil made
on the subject “You Have Made me do it.’” But the Devil can
the Right Choice.” In the defeat us if we fail to oppose
ancient Jewish world, before him. (James 4:7) Keeping busy
becoming a Christian apostle, in Jehovah’s work is the
Paul had position, prestige, foremost way to oppose Satan
influence, and financial and his world and give
security. But at Philippians 3:8, Jehovah exclusive devotion.
Paul described all of this as “a
lot of refuse,” or “garbage,” Appointed as Missionaries
according to the Phillips The morning program
translation. His heart was in the concluded with the official
ministry, and he made the right appointment of all 46 students
choice. In contrast, the majority as missionaries. The 23
of mankind today show by their couples received diplomas
choices in life that they stating in part that the
consider their material graduates are “specially
possessions to be of greater qualified to engage in
value than everlasting life. educational work, promoting
Gilead missionaries have made goodwill and working in behalf
the right choice. Jack Redford of permanent peace and the
concluded by saying: “There is law of perfect order and
nothing that the Devil’s world righteousness among all
can offer you that compares peoples.” The 95th class of
with missionary service. Take Gilead will surely endeavor to
care of that inestimable accomplish this lofty mission in
privilege, and let the world take the 18 countries to which they
care of its garbage!” have been assigned. The
assignments span the world
For the past 32 years, Ulysses and include countries in Asia,
Glass has been a Gilead Africa, Europe, Latin America,
instructor. He gave the and the Caribbean.
students some parting counsel
with the theme “Only God Can In the afternoon, after an
Make a Tree,” basing his talk abbreviated Watchtower Study
on Psalm 1:3. Modern conducted by Charles Woody
technology has never been of the Service Department
able to rival the construction of Committee, the new Gilead
a tree, designed by God. In a graduates presented their
sense, true Christians are like student program, with the
trees, planted and irrigated by theme “Gilead Has Prepared
Jehovah. Brother Glass noted Us to Teach as Missionaries.”
that for five months, the The session concluded with the
students had been “regularly drama “The Choices Facing
irrigated from the fountain of Us.”
life-giving waters in God’s After this stimulating program,
Word,” like trees in a spiritual the new missionaries were now
grove or paradise. Yet, as ready to be sent to the four
missionaries, they must guard corners of the earth to share
 9
with others the “most holy
faith.” 1980-81: Gilead Cultural
School of Mexico; 10-week
Class Statistics course; three classes; 72
Number of countries Spanish-speaking graduates
represented: 7 prepared for service in Latin
Number of countries assigned America.
to: 18
Number of students: 46 1981-82, 1984, 1992: Gilead
Number of married couples: 23 Extension School in Germany;
Average age: 30.06 10-week course; four classes;
Average years in truth: 12.92 98 German-speaking students
Average years in full-time from European lands.
ministry: 9.4
1983: Classes in India; 10-
week course, conducted in
English; 3 groups; 70 students.

1987- : Ministerial Training

School, with an 8-week course,
held in key locations in various
parts of the world. As of 1992,
graduates had already been
serving in more than 35 lands
outside the country of their
origin.

1988- : School at Wallkill, New

York. Twenty-week course in
preparation for missionary
service is currently conducted
there. It is planned that the
school will be moved to the
Watchtower Educational
Gilead Classes Center at Patterson, New York,
when this is completed.

1943-60: School at South

Lansing, New York. In 35
classes, 3,639 students from
95 lands graduated, most
being assigned to missionary
service. Circuit and district
overseers serving in the United
States were also included in
the classes.

1961-65: School in Brooklyn,

New York. In 5 classes, 514
students graduated and were
sent to lands where the Watch
Tower Society had branch
offices; most of the graduates
were entrusted with
administrative assignments.
Four of these classes had 10-
month courses; one, an 8-
month course.

1965-88: School in Brooklyn,

New York. In 45 classes, each
with a 20-week course, another
2,198 students were trained,
most of these for missionary
service.

1977-80: School in Brooklyn,

New York. Five-week Gilead
course for Branch Committee
members. Fourteen classes
were held.