Jehovah's Witnesses: JT Life at Bethel Public Talks - Episode 4

#exjwsthink #jehovah #jehovahswitness #exjw #lifeatbethel
Former Jehovah's Witness elder/bethelite is discussing his own personal experience about what he knows about the practices and policies of the Watchtower, Bible & Tract Society.
This video is a continuation of JT's life at Bethel. He discusses Public Talks and his role as the speaker coordinator in his congregation. The presiding overseer in his congregation specifically asked him not to coordinate speakers from other Kingdom Hall's using what he termed a whole sale bargain where if they had 11 speakers, they would automatically tradeoff every speaker they had. Rather, he encouraged JT to select only their best speakers.
JT was not bashful in whom he invited to his congregation to deliver talks at his congregation. He approached some of the most popular speakers and even asked select members from the Governing Body. To his surprise brother George Gangas, one of the Governing Body members actually accepted his invite.
He recounts what it was like accompanying brother Gangas to his congregation for field service prior to the Sunday meeting and the series of events that happened prior to the meeting.
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[@annabizaro-doo-dah]

Funny thing is they couldn't be more wrong about the appeal of a southern voice. Especially to English speakers from other parts of the world like UK, New Zealand etc. We love that beautiful accent!

[@EXJWAnalyzer]

Woohoo! I caught another JT special right when it started. Doesn't happen often. It's like winning the lottery. 😁 Loving this series JT!

[@DanielBrown-nw9xo]

Love your channel bro!

[@ExJWCriticalThinker]

Thanks bruh! Love your channel too.

[@godvsevolution2816]

Enjoyed your video , do you still believe Jehovah is the almighty God?

[@EXJWAnalyzer]

"We lost a governing body member! We *lost* a governing body member..." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ExJWCriticalThinker]

😂😂😂

[@pamelawatkins6678]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mrsmith3869]

EXJW Analyzer when they all die the world comes to an end Is that still a thing? Are there freemasons in the organization? Are there illuminati members within the organization? Is that even a real thing? Are there secret societies within the organization?

[@mrsmith3869]

ExJW Critical Thinker lmao at vanilla accent By that u mean white all american like dean dixon from michigan when he hosted the young people asks tape

[@lisanoonan1267]

EXJW Analyzer Ganges had given talks in cong. I was from; on Long Island. He was such a extremely dramatic speaker with hands flying all over the place & a voice that would pitch in extremes in his Greek accent, haha, so, I could envision him in his own world, immersed in his preaching, not even aware of his surroundings or just not caring, LOL

[@prescotts.3235]

Your "Life at Bethel" series is on fire! I absolutely love these, and I thank you so much for sharing these experiences. p.s. Keep'em coming!

[@diannabell7817]

Excellent work. It takes time and effort to do all of this. I really needed the Bethel experience fleshed out for my research

[@forrestbrennan7093]

instaBlaster...

[@heidimohammed7817]

JT- u have such a great speaking voice & knack for telling a story! Absolutely appalling that you would be turned down! Being born & raised as as a JW- I know a good speaker when I hear one! Few & far in between! And Lady C is another force to be reckoned with! Bravo! Preach on, brotha & sista! 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤

[@leesmith9064]

Your video literally brought tears to my eyes. Lol. I'm here crying. "Jehovah will wok something out." That was the Jehovah I loved. All loving, all powerful , reasonable JEHOVAH. They took that love of just his name alone from me. I haven't been in a Kingdom Hall in ten years now. I believe it's a dangerous cult that I was born into. But hearing you repeat what God should mean and how he should make you feel reminds me of why it was so difficult to leave. Thanks. All powerful. All loving. JEHOVAH. How did the society kill that feeling from me? Wow.

[@wysteriaherr8306]

I really love listening to you speak. I find your voice very soothing.

[@TheVillainOfTheYear]

I know this video is two years old at this point, but I'm just now seeing it. I love your videos. They're so full of warmth and heart--no wonder the GB doesn't want witnesses watching this. You speak exactly like every brother from the South I've ever known. You're not bitter. You have good memories of the organization, but you don't let emotion cause you to outsource your thinking to other men. I admire your channel very much.

[@mickhewitt4082]

Could listen to you all day brother JT

[@darryltalley5871]

Me too

[@TonyExumJr]

Man!! I wish I could get my family to see this.

[@theoracle56]

I am really enjoying your insight and experiences. I wonder if you had an English accent would you been critiqued so harshly in the beginning. I realize one of the main reasons I like you and your wife’s channel is that you are very down to earth, humanistic, and philosophical. You are doing great work and waking people up! Many blessings!

[@gagoomt4076]

Nope! Everyone loves an English accent, do you have an iPhone? Siri gives you English from UK or South Africa accent 😝

[@EveSieminski]

I could listen to you for hours! Your congregation was lucky to have you. I was talking with my husband yesterday and we both concurred that watchtower has driven out its most talented, honest hearted and intelligent people. Thank you, Lady C and Daniel for all you do!

[@bonnymayfield669]

Great Story JT...JR Brown...Wow I haven't heard that name in many years. He was the one Brother that people in Chicagoland and surrounding areas would flock to see He was so popular that if he had started his own church, .people would have followed him. Very dynamic charismatic speaker!

[@deetaylor]

His brother is an elder at the Kingdomhall I use to attend. He would come down a few times a year and give talks at that hall. Bruh, was packed! Everyone, came.

[@davidwicklin9943]

Yes, Brown along with certain other traveling overseers were followed around by their cliques here in Chicagoland and even Freddy West, a prominent elder and substitute circuit overseer who came out of the Cabrini-Green housing projects had a similar Flock following. He spearheaded Warren Park from the same 1250 Farewell Chicago kingdom hall I was attending in 1999-2000 along with another popular JW brother named Arne Kelsey who largely studied with me coming into the Borg between 1992-1994. He's now in the Houston, TX area having been an elder over 25+ years with his pioneer wife Lisa.

[@evakalz6338]

I love a good story teller... JT..Your charisma is sooo infectious.

[@MyThougths]

I just LOOOOVEEEEE hearing JT's stories. Such a great story teller!!

[@melvinkumar89]

I could listen to you all day JT. Your story telling ability is amazing! Please give us more weird and wonderful stories.

[@andejode]

Your storytelling-talent is PHENOMENAL!!!! I am laughing and crying at the same time when I hear you talk. I am sure you was an awesome elder and the clearer it is, why you and your wife left the organization. Best wishes for you both, I can't wait for the next toppic 😊😍❤️💐🙏🔔

[@Lukronius]

Hitting the “Like” before I even watch it, because these are ALWAYS good!

[@EXJWAnalyzer]

Yaaaaaasss! I always click like before I watch JT and Lady Cee. No sense in waiting, because I *know* I'm going to like the video so I may as well be preemptive!

[@Lukronius]

EXJW Analyzer Bro! So good to see you here! I’ve been loving the videos you and stoptheshunning have been doing, both separately and together. Keep up the great work! P.S. I didn’t know your email, so I emailed Bethany early this morning (I think) with a question for y’all. You might want to let her know it’s not spam. 😂

[@teeh6180]

I was born and raised as a JW in upstate NY. I remember in the late 70s, JR Brown coming to our congregation . All the black folks in our congregation was SO proud of having a black CO speak. Having a black CO was a novelty in itself. Remember in those years, it was very rare to have a person of color (especially black) in a upper management position in the JW organization.

[@aardvark1956]

You are a MARVELOUS storyteller, JT! Love this series.

[@DavidTaylor-ki2ir]

Really enjoying this series JT. Brings back memories.

[@mump68]

This was great. You were more than fair. It actually made me remember some of the good times I had when I was still a JW. I also had brothers that served as mentors to me as my father died when I was 10. JW’S are mostly good people being misled. I hate the organization but still love the people that help me become the man I am today.

[@ronnie1049]

Thanks JT, it's amazing how long this organization has gone with calling their teachings the truth.

[@diarrareed]

Thanks for the good memories. What I love about Critical Thinking is the objectivity. It's important to know when to walk away, and examine what "truth" is, but after years even decades in any place there are some good memories and wonderful people we met along the way. Thanks for sharing this with us. I smiled and laughed watching this one😊

[@saabtech3510]

Thank you JT. Love the George Gangas experience. I had many in my '85-'88 Brooklyn Bethel time. First Saturday off since I was there, I went shopping on Montaque St. This bent over elderly man with a placard and 2 magazines on it, comes down the busy sidewalk approaching all he can. I take him for a local brother. (Non Bethelite) He spies me and approaches me. I tell him, with a little "new boy" pride: "I'm a Bethelite." He says simply: "Oh, I live there too." I saw him a bit later at lunch and figured out who he was. So humble it floored me. Another time he visited our Midtown Manhattan congregation for the public talk. Going in service he never made it to the territory, as when he walked up busy 14th Street towards the territory, he spoke to everyone he could. I had lots of personal encounters with him. Thanks for sharing yours with us.

[@womanofthenang3210]

I agree with you on where it's headed. Even up until 2017 when I attended my last meeting,once a month the presentations for field service were broadcast on the screens. Its being slowly introduced for everything to be coming straight from bethel. Thanks JT 👍

[@CS-np2oo]

When I came in the mid 90's. I'd never think it's become what it is. My mother who knows nothing about technology, bought a brand new tablet. She told me she had her bible and all types of literature on it. That she used it during meetings like others. Around 2000, 2001 using electronic devices during a meeting and IN the hall would have been grounds for being brought before elders and no respect for Jehovah's house.

[@theirregularpioneerchannel1804]

JT i had to pause the video to laugh! “Society said 2 plus 2 equals 9”...sad but true. I had about 3 of those chronology public talks in my repertoire, and it sure was confusing sometimes lol

[@falling043]

I bet JT's public talks were great, just by the awesome and entertaining way he brings his message. I'm glad he's now using this talent to make these KZbin videos, I love hearing these stories.

[@alansibuoroyugi1120]

JT and Lady C you are just the best. Your honesty , sincerity and knowledge is clear and admirable

[@jwnomore2488]

JT I always look forward to your videos.

[@glompworthyash]

JT, man, you're such a great story teller. I could watch you all day! Love these anecdotes about gb members, elders, the behind the scenes stuff that rank and file members would never have known of. Keep it up!

[@zachauley3331]

The Broadcast P/Talks are already happening with high frequency in some parts of the world. Thank you JT for your honest and positive presentations.

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

Love it! George Genghis sounded like an interesting guy. Refreshing approach.

[@RayRay-ch9vc]

Awesome J.T. I can see that too about the public talks being broadcasted. They won't have to give the guest speaker a token of love(money) for their travel.

[@helpforexjws4998]

I’m loving this series JT!

[@donnabaynes3978]

Quite an entertaining series. I'm looking forward to the next installment....and the next....and the next.

[@reneehoney7355]

I thought your voice sounded familiar. I listened to those cassettes heavy in the nineties. 95 2001. They kept me spiritually strong. They were my association at my job. Thank you jt. Its too bad they didnt compensate youd have a great pension.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

That Governing Body dude sounded like a pretty cool guy.

[@guillermovilla9517]

Efrain Rivera Junior I was trying not to like him, but couldn’t. He does sound cool. Expressing his own opinion outside WT? Wow. Also, wanting to spend the whole day with congregation is impressive.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

@@guillermovilla9517 - Yup! A rare creature to find within that organization.

[@nesnate4]

Wow that was a classic story JT.Its really crazy how we treated those governing body members like rock stars or God like status.

[@leeleemee]

I wonder if they live like rock stars :/ I wonder if their children go to college or pound the pavement (pioneer) like the masses.

[@simonsanchez105]

UNCLE JT!!!! I'M LUVIN IT. YOU HAD ME HOOKED AND LAUGHING ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT. THEN YOU GOT ME WORRIED AT THE END. WHEN I SAW THAT COMMERCIAL, MY BODY WENT COLD; IT GOT ME THINKING. I DO AGREE THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN.

[@RoyalRelief]

Ready for part 5 Uncle JT!!

[@bivens3ify]

Wow JT your experiences are truly amazing. About 40 years ago I basically was raise by elders. My bible study teacher became like my dad so I would spend a lot of time at his home. And he was hosting a governing body member and I was just a kid but I think he was brother Franz he was very old and frail and short in statue. My bible study teacher told me to stop making noise because brother Franz was preparing a talk but I look in the room and he was watching TV and saw me then started reading again. I had no idea who he was. Wow.

[@gbh105]

Love you brother! Keep speaking truth !

[@gaia1218]

Wow JT, I'm watching your series and I'm watching this one from the UK in the midst of covid. What you said about the future of public talks is basically what we are living now. I doubt very much of it will ever go back to 'normal' - Just WOW!

[@odilezhurje8445]

It's a joy, listening to you, JT. Just happilly laughed all the way while listening to Jimmy Bell with EXJW AnaLyZer. I, therefore, come to understand, that it isn't useful to carry on holding all this bitterness. You all reveal so much to me! I ddnt know about the gov bod members. They were treated like movie stars going to the Cannes' Festival. How people treated each other in the congreation? That's a thought! Be blessed both of u

[@ddwilliams23]

Man JT I wosh the video was longer! The way you explain it makes me feel as if I were there! Thanks😄😄😄😄

[@karpogaming]

Love The Uploads JT

[@darthfader7876]

At around 8 min. I personally thought that why are we not conscerned for our brothers and sisters falling away or even disfellowshipped? We just seemed conscerned about our hours and getting individuals in! Made no sense to me! I really believed we were in a life saving work, and i would spend countless hours at the library( not the UN library) on my own time doing reasearch to collaborate the watchtowers ideas, in order to help save people! I would pioneer by myself and allow others to say a prayer as long as i could say one too before studying! I was so into my faith! But we would just throw our brothers away when they made a watchtower mistake! Why couldn't we just leave it to jehovah this time in judging? Affecting his WHOLE social and family structure in a blink of an eye! To now understand that they are spirit directed and make mistakes! So this is one of the big things waking me up!

[@heidimohammed7817]

U nailed it with your predictions about the future of talks in the KH. The big screens with the broadcasts- it's happening. 2016 convention was when I saw this & felt the mind control in action. Been going to conventions since birth- & never felt is so strong until 2016. MK Ultra in effect!

[@latoyah1624]

"She had prepared Cornish hen, you know, lil thiny chicken" I about DIED! oh JT (and Lady Cee) you are the best!! Made my day

[@iamtruthseeker444]

JT I can listen to you all day!😀 So funny and entertaining while at the same time very insightful. Keep up the great work brother!

[@acajudi100]

My best friend is JW, andI am a Muslim reporting to God only. She helped me, when i was very ill, and was honest and trust worthy. I am leaving all I have to her, and donating my body to Medical Science. The name of the game is RESPECT.

[@hounjac]

JT very informative, I know for me I listen to a lot of talk radio if I don't like the tone of the talk show host voice althought the subject maybe good I will change the station! Also I would want to hear a public talk that interest me personally like singleness "the Benefits of being Single compared to being Married! I live here in the SF Bay Area I see JW's in field service just standing there and this is what I think: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”​-MATTHEW 24:14. I say to myself I don't hear anyone preaching I just see you standing there! So it was good to hear about the Greek Brother that was able to start a conversation with everyday people!

[@kallelundahl5784]

Thank you for the story relating to George Gangas. Also, thank you for the insight into gigantic screens and G. Orwell

[@genegrant1200]

Love your series on life at bethel. Bro JT I really admire your candor. Very good presentation and viewpoint.👍🏾👍🏾

[@mistyjones9777]

thanks for sharing....once again enjoyed it!

[@jcstruggler992]

Part 5 JT please!!!! Keep it coming!!

[@dawill2doit]

Deep....no words... Just deep!

[@barbarabarnes5181]

I appreciate you and your wife, I've been listening to you for several years sense I left the Kingdom Hall. I'm 67 years old started to study when I was about,18 years old. To make this short I stayed in for almost three decades, I was a pioneer when I stopped,so I was not spiritually week as they say. I knew something was not right at that time I went through much hardship and stress because I didn't want me and my kids to die when the end can. You see by 1975 I had 2 children and was already in a few years, than later I ended up with 4 children. I stayed in for until June of 1996. I was reading an article from the Awake, "Are Jehovah's Witnesses an occult?" I not only read it I researched it, and from than on my time taken from Bible study's to researched, so I sent a letter and me and my 4 children left, I didn't draft out I walked out. Thank you guys for the support you-all are sharing, GOD Bless you ♥️.

[@jsilvanus240]

I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the LORD..

[@simonrgalesg]

I love the way you tell your stories... You make them so alive.. Feel like I was there👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@josephcartier8749]

So proud of JT & Lady Cee. Their channel is so educational and entertaining. Everyone please like and subscribe to their channel.

[@akinomokogboh8761]

Just short of words....🤗 Your creator will not abandon you. So be it.

[@UJB123]

As soon as you mentioned the 2 tv screens, I immediately thought of, "1984". Great series JT.

[@gregfuller5807]

Great video JT! Great story. I always liked Gangas.

[@cherylseebreth3926]

JT What I totally like about your videos. You shoot from the hip. No bitterness. You simply tell it like it was. If the so-called truth were not so sad and destructive, it would have been comical.

[@simonsanchez105]

I can relate with the type of public talks you chose. I hated the chronological, profecy and the 2+2=9 talks. It never made sence to me. But the talks about the needs of the congregation as a whole; loved them. Some brothers would give these types of talks in a way that made me tear up.

[@webtraffic2012]

Great information JT agree 100%

[@ExJWKid]

Oh my God I forgot about the Watchtower cassette tapes we had a bunch of them they were white. Thanks for memory lane lol

[@daveroberts2296]

JT ... this was a brilliant PT! I can picture the day when this talk will be given on TV's in the true Kingdom, not in a hall, but in our heavenly Father's world to come. All those who have known and loved Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, will be their to applaud you. ...... love you brother... in Jesus' Precious Name. ... Dave

[@t-streetmusicstudio6749]

God dame JT! that was bloody amazing. And im sure your right, no more local talks and just TV screens and mind controlled cult followers.

[@kingsaintides7227]

Also..more story times please...you and Lady Cee...we need a Lifetime network show or OWN with Oprah....

[@RealDukeOfEarl]

Great story telling, really enjoying these.

[@artistmidnight7730]

I love Brother Gangues, I met him on my 1st visit to Bethel. He took the initiative and spoke to me on the elevator.

[@seanswade8699]

Bethelites striking a B-Boy stance in the intro 😂..... Naughty

[@TonyExumJr]

I know right??? #worldly lol!!!

[@tonyneal3266]

I always hated that term wordly lol

[@anarchorepublican5954]

...thanks for sharing your experiences inside the secrecy of the Watchtower Org....a very rare glimpse for those of us on the outside...🏢👀

[@misskitty976]

All the friends in "urban areas" loved J R Brown. He was our hero.

[@CanadianLoveKnot]

You're damn right the "truth" transformed my life. The truth lead me right out the door of JW-Cult-Org.

[@thewarriorscodex8758]

Great video enjoyed it very much.

[@SheilaTrueLove]

I would have loved to hear someone with your dialect read. You have an excellent speaking and reading voice.

[@reneehoney7355]

Dragging ourselves to the meetings to watch t.v.s of talks.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

Wow! I never thought about that before but I can see it too. With the amount of control the Governing Body wants to have over the brothers plus their now superstar status that they seem to love, I would not be surprised that you are right. All talks prerecorded by the WT.

[@mamajimothy1677]

They’re doing it already. The talk before the memorial was a canned video. It felt very impersonal. This was the last meeting I attended at our hall. It felt contrived with no real content.

[@AN425W]

As someone who's from Seattle, I enjoy your accent. It's endearing 💕🥰🙂

[@freeatlast.]

That was excellent JT

[@jeannec7558]

Another perfect video, 👌 bringing out points I have always thought. I truly want both you and lady C coming to dinner at my house in the new system. I have no doubts about that.

[@merylbarnes2770]

Great video. Thank you.

[@a.d.2206]

I just found your channel. I could listen to you guys all day. Thanks for the content

[@IllPropaganda]

All of your uploads are tactfully enlightening. Certainly not a vibe easy to achieve, well done!

[@talk2s5061X]

Really interesting and honest series about your time in Bethel. I really enjoyed it

[@dantoinettetaylor1663]

Thank you very much JT. I'm becoming a Junkie for this "series"... your insight and experiences are simply compelling

[@robinkishmiller2596]

Your videos woke me up.

[@jessduncan66]

JT, I remember you now, those early pictures at bethel and in 107 bldg reminded me of who you were when I was in NYC. I also was in NY Circuit #5. This is a nice series, and many enjoy hearing the stories.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

Voiceovers is something I would’ve enjoyed doing back then.

[@davidhughes6883]

Thank you for putting together your videos. I was born and raised as a JW and had a couple of friends that went to Bethel. It was my goal as well. However I "left the truth" in 1984 but I still somewhat believed the teachings for the next 25 to 30 years. Being on the outside for so long, it is amazing the difference in what is taught now as compared to then (e.g. overlapping generations). I enjoyed listening to your experiences because it allowed me to reminisce on the good or enjoyable experiences of growing up a witness. My wife and friends have no idea of what it was like.

[@beanabelt379]

They are doing that now at the convention now. You are looking at a screen a brother from bethel is giving the talk wow!!!

[@57koop]

Jt love you man! I wish I knew you in my time in the “truth” thank you so much

[@jamieangel3766]

JT when I was a kid people used to exchange cassette tapes of PTs, our favouries were 2 from the same guy in America who used to talk about My way or the high way. A child wanted to stop going to the meetings so the dad said give me your keys. The boy got scared and carried on going to the hall. Another thing was about Large Social Gatherings, how bad they are, and pep rallies how a JW giirl got knocked out and then knocked up. The guy had such a funny way of saying stuff though. Did you ever hear that talk?

[@hopeimfunny]

So entertaining, I was on the edge of my seat with the Gangas story (met him myself a few times).

[@jasmynelliott]

The only time I’ve stepped into a Kingdom Hall in the past decade was for my grandfather’s funeral. This is so insightful and, in some ways, nostalgic. Thank you for being so open and informative with your experience.