Jehovah’s Witnesses will return to in-person meetings with a special talk on April 10 titled Where Can You Find Hope?.

The Witnesses banned in-person meetings at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but falling infections and control measures have seen gatherings being given the greenlight to resume from next month.

The talk came at a time when a new Gallup poll revealed a decline in hope and happiness globally.

“Facing 2022, the perception is that we are rather in a chronic situation without a clear end,” Gallup’s president Kancho Stoychev said of a poll held at the end of 2021.

In contrast, the 30 minute-talk by the Witnesses will deliver a concrete reason for confidence in the hope and happiness promised in the Bible.

“The Bible describes a future without pain, without suffering — even without death, right here on earth. Many people are surprised to find out that God’s original purpose is for people to live in perfect health in perfect conditions on earth. His purpose has never changed and will soon be realised. The lecture will include a number of solid reasons why we can have faith in the Bible’s promises,” Jehovah’s Witnesses in Zimbabwe spokesperson John Hunguka said.

The public is invited to this special event as it is going to be the first of two events in April to be hosted in-person.

“The public is also invited to the annual observance of Jesus Christ’s death on the evening of April 15, 2022. This is the most important event of the year for Jehovah’s Witnesses. For last year’s virtual event, over 8,6 million Witnesses were joined by more than 12,6 million visitors. The total attendance of 21 367 603 marked a 19,7% increase from 2020. The memorial will be held in-person at our places of worship this year,” Hunguka said.

Admission to both the memorial and special talk programmes is free, and no registration is required.

As from April 1, Jehovah’s Witnesses will be resuming in-person meetings at their respective places of worship known as Kingdom Halls