"Follow the Christ!" is the theme of next weekend's annual Jehovah's Witness District Convention for Utah and portions of two surrounding states at Ogden's Dee Events Center.

In addition, for the first time ever, a Spanish-language Jehovah's Witness District Convention will also be held this year at the Dee Events Center, July 6-8.

More than 7,500 Jehovah's Witnesses from Utah, Southeast Idaho and Western Wyoming are expected to attend the three-day English event, which begins Friday, June 29, and continues through Sunday, July 1.

Some 5,000 Spanish-speaking Witnesses are expected to converge at the Dee Events Center a week later. Both meetings will have identical themes and organization. Only the language and speakers will change.

The two conventions are among more than 282 similar conventions to be held in the United States this year.

All meetings are free and open to the public. No collections will be taken.

According to Richard Wolf, an elder for the Witnesses in Davis County, this year's convention will explain details on the principles Jesus Christ taught and the value of applying them in day-to-day life.

The theme is based on what the Bible says in 1 Peter 2:21 about following closely the model that Jesus Christ gave us. Other key texts that will be discussed at the convention include John 21:19, Hebrews 12:2 and James 1:22-25.

Francisco Montano, an elder for the Witnesses in Salt Lake City, said he is especially excited about the new Spanish-language district convention in Utah this year. He said previously, Spanish-speaking Witnesses had to travel outside Utah to places like Fort Collins, Colo.; Tacoma, Wash.; or Fresno, Calif., for the nearest district convention in their language.

Utah now has some 14 different Spanish-speaking Jehovah's Witnesses congregations.

Wolf said pertinent advice will be given on the role of family members and the Sunday afternoon session will include the traditional full-costume Bible drama acted out, this year based on Colossians 3:12.

He said dozens of Witnesses perform in the drama practice and work for three months on their parts, the scenery and other facets.

Wolf also said area Witnesses will be delivering a colorful tract to much of the public along the Wasatch Front this month to make sure they are aware of this year's convention and that Witnesses believe in Christ.

"The Witnesses hope for an even greater attendance this year," Wolf said, "since the program will be devoted to examining what the Bible really teaches about Jesus and what scriptural basis there is for determining who are Christians today."

The Dee Events Center is located at 3850 University Circle, just east of Harrison Boulevard and north of the Weber State University campus. The convention has been held there annually for more than 26 years.

Both the June 29-July 1 and the July 6-8 conventions will feature Friday and Saturday sessions from 9:20 a.m. to 4:55 p.m., and Sunday sessions from 9:20 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• For more information on Jehovah's Witnesses, go to www.watchtower.org.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com