NewStats: 3,265,462 , 8,186,799 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 05:16 AM 4256x

In November 2017, the Legal Department at the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses held their annual meeting. In it, staff reveal how they have extracted huge donations from elderly . This 90 minute meeting was recorded on video for those who were connected remotely.

In a talk entitled “U.S. Legal Department Highlights”, John Fowler of the Legal Department interviewed a number of the staff of the Legal Department including Keturah Dunne, Richard Moake, Erna Neufeld, and Nathan Reed.

Fowler’s interview with Neufeld included notably generous donations from two elderly gentlemen, one being 99 years old. This is a transcript of that interview.

Fowler (F): Now, Erna, how does charitable planning help our brothers and sisters in the field?

Neufeld (N): Our group provides information to people who want to name Watch Tower on their estate planning documents, perhaps as a beneficiary on a retirement , insurance policy, bank . We also get calls from attorneys and executors telling us about a new estate. We generally have about 300 open estate files that we are working on.

F: That is quite a bit. We know you also get a lot of phone calls every week. Can you give us an idea of the volume there?

N: It is an estimate, but it is at least a hundred calls a week. Many of them are simple: how to name Watch Tower as the beneficiary; they’re interested in donating real property; sometimes we get a nice surprise on one of the calls.

F: A surprise? Can you tell us a little bit about that?

N: We got a call from a brother. He sounded a little bit feeble, somewhat elderly. He asked about a specific donation arrangement. A sister told him, ‘Brother, you have to understand that the minimum for this is five thousand dollars ($5000.00)’. There was a pause and he said, ‘Well, I’ll be putting in a million ($1,000,000.00)’.

F: [Pauses, nods, then responds] That is a very kind gesture on the brother’s part. Now, of course you get these phone calls. Are you always able to answer all the questions over the phone?

N: Usually, but sometimes there is unusual circumstances. For example, last year, in April, a brother who is ninety-nine (99) years old, donated stock as an outright gift. It was twenty-three million dollars ($23,000,000.00) worth of stock. And then about six (6) weeks later, his financial representative called and asked for a personal visit. So we went to see him at the facility where he is now residing.

F: So can you tell us how the visit went?

N: Certainly. Michael* is a very sharp 99 year old brother. Quiet, but he was happy to share his life story with us. He attended meetings with his wife for many years but he wasn’t baptized until after he retired. [Erna forgets what she wanted to say next so has to take a second to look at her notes.] We enjoyed lunch with him. Then he took a short nap. We visited with some other Witness residents in the facility and spent the afternoon listening to his stories about world travels, looked at his art and artifacts. And Michael told us that he was an engineer. One of his stories was that he had to invent a product that his boss had already sold to a customer.

F: So, apparently, he was successful.

N: Yes. And his generosity has greatly benefited the organization.

However much money people donate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their own business. Donations are a private matter and that the World Headquarters’ legal department would discuss such generous figures is a reflection of how fixated this organization has become regarding money. And yet, even with all these huge donations coming from the elderly faithful, the organization continues to regularly beg for money, even manipulating young children to donate their pocket money to the organization.

*Michael’s real name has been changed to protect his identity.

Source: https://a-jw.org/lifestyle/money/usa-whq-extracting-huge-donations-from-elderly-jehovahs-witnesses/

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKzdSm7Ol64

MaxInDHouse should come and explain to us

before you comment you better read well, read and read it over again so as to comprehend what they were saying before you come and comment insult or false defence. i didn't really understand much of what i read and thats why am not making any comment regarding that. so if you didn't understand emulate me or ask question, anybody who understand may attend to you rather than abusive comments or making jest of everything jestable we should behave like obedient christians yes be fast to hear but make no haste to give a respond

Ogamysamo:
before you comment you better read well, read and read it over again so as to comprehend what they were saying before you come and comment insult or false defence. i didn't really understand much of what i read and thats why am not making any comment regarding that. so if you didn't understand emulate me or ask question, anybody who understand may attend to you rather than abusive comments or making jest of everything jestable we should behave like obedient christians yes be fast to hear but make no haste to give a respond

I have this video of this interview. I'll look for and . It's was amazing to watch.

ChristianFreedo:


In November 2017, the Legal Department at the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses held their annual meeting. In it, staff reveal how they have extracted huge donations from elderly . This 90 minute meeting was recorded on video for those who were connected remotely.

In a talk entitled “U.S. Legal Department Highlights”, John Fowler of the Legal Department interviewed a number of the staff of the Legal Department including Keturah Dunne, Richard Moake, Erna Neufeld, and Nathan Reed.

Fowler’s interview with Neufeld included notably generous donations from two elderly gentlemen, one being 99 years old. This is a transcript of that interview.

Fowler (F): Now, Erna, how does charitable planning help our brothers and sisters in the field?

Neufeld (N): Our group provides information to people who want to name Watch Tower on their estate planning documents, perhaps as a beneficiary on a retirement , insurance policy, bank . We also get calls from attorneys and executors telling us about a new estate. We generally have about 300 open estate files that we are working on.

F: That is quite a bit. We know you also get a lot of phone calls every week. Can you give us an idea of the volume there?

N: It is an estimate, but it is at least a hundred calls a week. Many of them are simple: how to name Watch Tower as the beneficiary; they’re interested in donating real property; sometimes we get a nice surprise on one of the calls.

F: A surprise? Can you tell us a little bit about that?

N: We got a call from a brother. He sounded a little bit feeble, somewhat elderly. He asked about a specific donation arrangement. A sister told him, ‘Brother, you have to understand that the minimum for this is five thousand dollars ($5000.00)’. There was a pause and he said, ‘Well, I’ll be putting in a million ($1,000,000.00)’.

F: [Pauses, nods, then responds] That is a very kind gesture on the brother’s part. Now, of course you get these phone calls. Are you always able to answer all the questions over the phone?

N: Usually, but sometimes there is unusual circumstances. For example, last year, in April, a brother who is ninety-nine (99) years old, donated stock as an outright gift. It was twenty-three million dollars ($23,000,000.00) worth of stock. And then about six (6) weeks later, his financial representative called and asked for a personal visit. So we went to see him at the facility where he is now residing.

F: So can you tell us how the visit went?

N: Certainly. Michael* is a very sharp 99 year old brother. Quiet, but he was happy to share his life story with us. He attended meetings with his wife for many years but he wasn’t baptized until after he retired. [Erna forgets what she wanted to say next so has to take a second to look at her notes.] We enjoyed lunch with him. Then he took a short nap. We visited with some other Witness residents in the facility and spent the afternoon listening to his stories about world travels, looked at his art and artifacts. And Michael told us that he was an engineer. One of his stories was that he had to invent a product that his boss had already sold to a customer.

F: So, apparently, he was successful.

N: Yes. And his generosity has greatly benefited the organization.

However much money people donate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their own business. Donations are a private matter and that the World Headquarters’ legal department would discuss such generous figures is a reflection of how fixated this organization has become regarding money. And yet, even with all these huge donations coming from the elderly faithful, the organization continues to regularly beg for money, even manipulating young children to donate their pocket money to the organization.

*Michael’s real name has been changed to protect his identity.

Source: https://a-jw.org/lifestyle/money/usa-whq-extracting-huge-donations-from-elderly-jehovahs-witnesses/

Video of the interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKzdSm7Ol64

GardenOfGod:

MaxInDHouse should come and explain to us

After hearing that, Jesus said to him, “There is still one thing lacking about you: Sell all the things you have and distribute the proceeds to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come be my follower. Luke 18:22


In fact, no one was in need among them, for all those who owned fields or houses would sell them and bring the value of what was sold, and they would deposit it at the feet of the apostles. In turn distribution would be made to each one according to his need. Act 4:34-35

When faithful people hears about the good news of God's coming Kingdom they realize they don't need keeping the acquired material possessions {Luke 16:9} that could be used to provide spiritual food for their fellow believers in other places so to make an equalizing they give up everything for God's organization to keep providing what is needed! 2Corinthians 8:14

For your information i'm not leaving any possession for anyone to inherit, my children already knew that when i die all my properties belongs to the Watchtower for provision of Bibles and other timely information materials where my brothers and sisters are lacking it.
I'm not to on wealth to them but knowledge that's never going to ware out. Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Thanks for inviting me, God bless you and may you have PEACE!

Ogamysamo:
before you comment you better read well, read and read it over again so as to comprehend what they were saying before you come and comment insult or false defence. i didn't really understand much of what i read and thats why am not making any comment regarding that. so if you didn't understand emulate me or ask question, anybody who understand may attend to you rather than abusive comments or making jest of everything jestable we should behave like obedient christians yes be fast to hear but make no haste to give a respond

Thanks for your understanding!

Among Jehovah's Witnesses we have brothers and sisters who formerly slaved for wealth but after getting the sense of the Good News of God's Kingdom they realize they don't really need it so the willed all to God's organization so that Bibles and other material provisions needed by their brothers and sisters in poor counties may rich them.
For instance most people don't know that in Africa only few can afford the Deluxe Bible Jehovah's Witnesses organization is distributing FREELY to everyone that needs it yet our brothers and sisters in rich countries never got tired of supplying these things.

WHY?

Well Jesus commanded that we sell our clothes if any of us can't afford a Bible (Spiritual Sword) {Luke 22:36} but due to the love we have among us {John 13:34-35} we can't watch our brothers sell their clothes to get Bibles so our Jehovah provide for our needs through our brothers as He dwells in our midst! 1John 4:8

MaxInDHouse:


After hearing that, Jesus said to him, “There is still one thing lacking about you: Sell all the things you have and distribute the proceeds to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come be my follower. Luke 18:22


In fact, no one was in need among them, for all those who owned fields or houses would sell them and bring the value of what was sold, and they would deposit it at the feet of the apostles. In turn distribution would be made to each one according to his need. Act 4:34-35

When faithful people hears about the good news of God's coming Kingdom they realize they don't need keeping the acquired material possessions {Luke 16:9} that could be used to provide spiritual food for their fellow believers in other places so to make an equalizing they give up everything for God's organization to keep providing what is needed! 2Corinthians 8:14

For your information i'm not leaving any possession for anyone to inherit, my children already knew that when i die all my properties belongs to the Watchtower for provision of Bibles and other timely information materials where my brothers and sisters are lacking it.
I'm not to on wealth to them but knowledge that's never going to ware out. Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Thanks for inviting me, God bless you and may you have PEACE!

It's always reasonable to have decent conversations without resorting to unnecessary insult that I personally detest.

Having said that, might I draw your attention to the disparities in both cases... The issue at the headquarters of the witnesses is about forceful deduction of funds... While the portion of the scripture you presented in has to do with freewill donation.

How do you marry the two discrepancies together?

GardenOfGod:

It's always reasonable to have decent conversations without resorting to unnecessary insult that I personally detest.

Having said that, might I draw your attention to the disparities in both cases... The issue at the headquarters of the witnesses is about forceful deduction of funds... While the portion of the scripture you presented in has to do with freewill donation.

How do you marry the two discrepancies together?

Do you listen attentively?
Because the highlighted is totally against our beliefs! 2Corinthians 9:7

MaxInDHouse:


Do you listen attentively?
Because the highlighted is totally against our beliefs! 2Corinthians 9:7

But that's what was done to the elderly

GardenOfGod:

But that's what was done to the elderly

No what the writer is emphasizing here is that the organization continue to ask for all to contribute despite what those wealthy people have done.
Well Jesus commended a widow with two coins of little value {Luke 21:1-4} meaning God wants everyone to feel a sense of belonging so that it's our collective effort that's working not that of single person!

MaxInDHouse:


No what the writer is emphasizing here is that the organization continue to ask for all to contribute despite what those wealthy people have done.
Well Jesus commended a widow with two coins of little value {Luke 21:1-4} meaning God wants everyone to feel a sense of belonging so that it's our collective effort that's working not that of single person!

What you're saying is a direct opposite to the evidence before us.

However much money people donate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their own business. Donations are a private matter and that the World Headquarters’ legal department would discuss such generous figures is a reflection of how fixated this organization has become regarding money. And yet, even with all these huge donations coming from the elderly faithful, the organization continues to regularly beg for money, even manipulating young children to donate their pocket money to the organization.

GardenOfGod:

What you're saying is a direct opposite to the evidence before us.

Which Spurious evidence?
I thought you are educated or your comprehension skills have taken flight?


Let's use this sample to expose the stupidity and bigotry of the website source of this story.

#1
"In November 2017, the Legal Department at the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses held their annual meeting."

Did JWs invite them to the annual meeting?
No.
Wetin concern JWs you hate & annual meeting wey JWs no invite you?


#2
"However much money people donate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their own business"

When did it become apostate business to mislead the public and form biased opinion about JWs donation?.

3
Donations are a private matter and that the World Headquarters’ legal department would discuss such generous figures is a reflection of how fixated this organization has become regarding money"

Was the apostate website invited to JWs annual meeting?
No !

Why is the apostate website's fixated & frustrated over "a private matter" of JWs?

#4
. And yet, even with all these huge donations coming from the elderly faithful, the organization continues to regularly beg for money, even manipulating young children to donate their pocket money to the organization"

Did JWs beg that apostate website owners for money?

Did JWs manipulate anyone to donate?

Definitely not!.


#5.
Did JWs reveal the identity of individuals who made donations?
Definitely not!

*Michael’s real name has been changed to protect his identity"

Oga, how many times have JWs come to your Church to complain about huge sums of money that you & other gullible sheeples donated to your Pastorpreneurs?

Garden of hypocrisy .

Source: https://a-jw.org/lifestyle/money/usa-whq-extracting-huge-donations-from-elderly-jehovahs-witnesses/

Janosky:

Which Spurious evidence?
I thought you are educated or your comprehension skills have taken flight?

Sorry I won't entertain insult and uncivilised utterances from you.

We are having a decent conversation here.

GardenOfGod:

Sorry I won't entertain insult and uncivilised utterances from you.

We are having a decent conversation here.

"However much money people donate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their own business"


You read this statement in the website story yet you dey put mouth for matter wey no concern you.
Wetin concern you & the apostate website with donations of JWs to our Church?

Oga continue to throw Mumu tantrum & make false claims.

GardenOfGod:

What you're saying is a direct opposite to the evidence before us.

You're missing the point Sir!

Imagine you were present the day people are contributing into the treasury and you see a poor widow bringing her two coins of little value, what would you have thought about her and what did Jesus say about her contribution?
Everyone is happy contributing to the success of God's organization even our little ones are happy to in the contribution.
If Jesus never stop them from coming forward to in acknowledging God's prophet {Matthew 19:14} who are we to stop them from participating in the success of God's work?

MaxInDHouse:

You're missing the point Sir!

Imagine you were present the day people are contributing into the treasury and you see a poor widow bringing her two coins of little value, what would you have thought about her and what did Jesus say about her contribution?
Everyone is happy contributing to the success of God's organization even our little ones are happy to in the contribution.
If Jesus never stop them from coming forward to in acknowledging God's prophet {Matthew 19:14} who are we to stop them from participating in the success of God's work?

However much money people donate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their own business. Donations are a private matter and that the World Headquarters’ legal department would discuss such generous figures is a reflection of how fixated this organization has become regarding money. And yet, even with all these huge donations coming from the elderly faithful, the organization continues to regularly beg for money, even manipulating young children to donate their pocket money to the organization.

That's an extract from the article.

GardenOfGod:

That's an extract from the article.

The writer of the article is biased but from the events that occurred among God's people in ancient times you can borrow a leaf.
Those taking the lead will appeal to Jehovah's Worshipers (Witnesses) and contributions will flow in from all both rich, poor, young and old so that no one is left out in the contribution.
That's why it's called "VOLUNTARY contribution" it's whatever your heart compels you to do and nobody should deprive anyone from participating in the success of pure worship!

Janosky:

"However much money people donate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their own business"

Our Master, Lord and King Christ Jesus said:

“Look! I am sending you out as sheep among wolves; so prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves. Be on your guard against men, for they will hand you over to local courts and they will scourge you in their synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations. However, when they hand you over, do not become anxious about how or what you are to speak, for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour; for the ones speaking are not just you, but it is the spirit of your Father that speaks by you". Matthew 10:16-20

We don't need to speak harshly with anyone {1Peter 3:15} God's people in ancient times do contribute to the success of pure worship and nobody was left out as long as you're willing to make a contribution!
So they're the ones that will become frustrated after their efforts to accuse us failed and come out in their true colors! Luke 6:45

Lol.

When they are exposed, they start screaming persecution!!

oteneaaron:
Lol.

When they are exposed, they start screaming persecution!!

"However much money people donate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their own business." According to your apostate friends website.

Deluded WAILER, receive SENSE.

Janosky:

"However much money people donate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their own business." According to your apostate friends website.
Deluded WAILER, receive SENSE.

After my invitation the thread died!
WHY?
Critics don't know how fully competent and completely equipped we are when it comes to defending the truth, in fact they thought we will always agitate for being accused, whereas each accusation against God's people opens a room for gratification of pure worshipers.

These are the questions raised:

Did God's people in ancient times contribute to the success of pure worship?
YES!
Was there a hindrance for poor ones not to participate during contribution?
NO!
Were little children restricted during contributions?
NO!
Apostle Paul emphasized on something very vital that critics of pure worship failed to note:

"On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law" Galatians 5:22-23

Any organization of people in whose midst God's Holy Spirit is WORKING out this qualities there is no law sane individuals can put up against them!
Such law must surely be inhumane before it could stand against Jehovah's Witnesses!

MaxInDHouse:


After hearing that, Jesus said to him, “There is still one thing lacking about you: Sell all the things you have and distribute the proceeds to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come be my follower. Luke 18:22


In fact, no one was in need among them, for all those who owned fields or houses would sell them and bring the value of what was sold, and they would deposit it at the feet of the apostles. In turn distribution would be made to each one according to his need. Act 4:34-35

When faithful people hears about the good news of God's coming Kingdom they realize they don't need keeping the acquired material possessions {Luke 16:9} that could be used to provide spiritual food for their fellow believers in other places so to make an equalizing they give up everything for God's organization to keep providing what is needed! 2Corinthians 8:14

For your information i'm not leaving any possession for anyone to inherit, my children already knew that when i die all my properties belongs to the Watchtower for provision of Bibles and other timely information materials where my brothers and sisters are lacking it.
I'm not to on wealth to them but knowledge that's never going to ware out. Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Thanks for inviting me, God bless you and may you have PEACE!

ChristianFreedo:

Like their will call others pastorpreneurs to look good. We know they are all in the same business of money making and grabbing.

Luke 20

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

James

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Luke 21

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”


How else will Jesus drive the point home in Luke 20: 47 that houses of WIDOWS that should be catered for are DEVOURED by the religious leaders of his day?

oteneaaron:
Lol.

When they are exposed, they start screaming persecution!!

Post like the below makes it more laughable

However much money people donate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their own business." According to your apostate friends website.
Deluded WAILER, receive SENSE

When it concerns the other religious denominations they love to call false Christian. It is their own business to pry into how they donate such money.

rottennaija:


I have this video of this interview. I'll look for and . It's was amazing to watch.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm that leeeeeeeeeegal deeeeeepaaaaartment .

cashing out things. Na person wey sabi go understand.