VILLE PLATTE — With many opportunities as a chemist and a basketball player, Howard Jackson, who meets twice a week with Ville Platte Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, traded a laboratory and a basketball jersey for a “priceless pearl” hidden in plain sight. He reaped physical and spiritual refreshment soon thereafter, and for years to come.
As a six-foot-four, All-American at Lincoln Memorial University, who transferred to the University of Northern Colorado, Jackson enjoyed a career in basketball where he would push himself to excel in the sport. Later, as a chemist he frequented the laboratory doing research and development for a local facility. However, increased appreciation for spiritual things prompted him to refocus his energy and leave other pursuits behind. Jackson says, “I feel my accomplishments in life have shown that there is great value in my current pursuits. It’s amazing the things I can personally do with God’s help, with very little stress to myself or my family.
Jackson is not alone. In this time of pandemic, when many have lost the things they thought were of the highest value, some have made their spirituality a priority. They feel like the merchant in an ancient parable who found a pearl of such great worth that he sold everything he had to obtain it.
“Have You Found a ‘Pearl of High Value’?” is the theme of a global virtual event to which Jehovah’s Witnesses are inviting the community in March. In the Gospel account, Jesus Christ used the parable of the pearl to illustrate the motivating value for the truth about God’s Kingdom, the solution to mankind’s problems.
This free 30-minute program unlocks the meaning of that parable, explaining what the Kingdom of the heavens is and how that valuable knowledge can help us attain peace and a sense of security even now.
“The pandemic changed our lives within weeks, bringing the economic, educational, and social systems to their knees,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “What has not changed is spirituality and its powerful effect on people’s lives.”
“We invite anyone searching for peace, security, comfort and hope to attend,” Hendriks continued. “The special talk and the Memorial of Jesus Christ’s death will show people how they can obtain something priceless that will make their lives better, not only now, but also in the future, even forever.”
Due to the pandemic, congregations around the world will host the events virtually. There are no fees to attend, and no registration is required.
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Staff Report