JEHOVAH’S
WITNESSES
More than 10 years revealing secrets because there is no excuse for secrecy in religion – w1997 June 1; Dan 2:47; Matt 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 12:2; Acts 4:19, 20.
JEHOVAH’S
WITNESSES
More than 10 years revealing secrets because there is no excuse for secrecy in religion – w1997 June 1; Dan 2:47; Matt 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 12:2; Acts 4:19, 20.
| Mugshot | Name | Alias | Baptism | Promotion to Leader | Spouse | Marriage | Country of Birth | Profile | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Kenneth Eugene Cook, Jr. | Kenneth Cook | 07-Jun-1980 | Governing Body | 24-Jan-2018 | Jamie | USA | Birthplace: Pennsylvania, USA; ~1963. Bethel Service: 12-Oct-1984 to Present. Governing Body Helper: Writing Committee; Jan-2017 to Jan 2018. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee, Teaching Committee, and Writing Committee. Other Information: He got baptized prior to graduation from high school. He served in the Printery and the Bethel Office for 25 years. In 2009, he was transferred to the Watchtower Educational Center at Patterson, New York, assigned to work with the Writing Correspondence Department. In April 2016, he was transferred to Brooklyn briefly before relocating to Warwick, New York and becoming a Helper to the Governing Body. | Active | |
 | Samuel Frederick Herd | Samuel Herd | Mar-1957 | Governing Body | 02-Oct-1999 | Gloria | 1959 | USA | Birthplace: Liberty, Indiana, USA; 1935 Bethel Service: 1997 to Present. Governing Body Helper: Service Committee; 1997 - October 1, 1999. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Publishing Committee, Service Committee, and Writing Committee. Other Information: His parents never became Jehovah's Witnesses. He was 21 or 22 when he got baptized. He got married in 1959. He served as a Circuit Overseer from January 1965 to August 1997. Then he was invited to work in the Service Department at the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses. In 1998 he served as a Helper to the Service Committee of the Governing Body before becoming a Governing Body member in 1999. | Active |
 | Gage Fleegle | Governing Body | 18-Jan-2023 | Nadia | 2006 | USA | Birthplace: USA Bethel Service: October 1991 to present. Governing Body Helper: Personnel Committee; April 1, 2022 - Jan 17, 2023. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee, Service Committee, Teaching Committee Other Information: Initially started in the Bindery at World Headquarters, then served in the Service Department, and then the Teaching Committee. | Active | ||
 | Jeffrey A. Winder | Jeffrey Winder | Jan-1986 | Governing Body | 18-Jan-2023 | Angela | 1997 | USA | Birthplace: Murrieta, California, USA; 1970 Bethel Service: 1989 to present. Governing Body Helper: Personnel Committee; April 1, 2022 - Jan 17, 2023. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee Other Information: Was 16 when he was baptized. Grew up in Jehovah’s Witnesses. His two older brothers served at Walkill before he did. Cleaning was his first assignment at World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He then worked in the farm department for three years. He then worked as a secretary for 22 years. He worked with Kenneth Cook for 10 years in the Bethel Office. He worked in the video production office. In 2020, he began to work in the Personnel Office. | Active |
 | Geoffrey William Jackson | Geoffrey Jackson | 1968 | Governing Body | 01-Sep-2005 | Jeanette (Deceased), Loraini Sikivou | Jun-1974 | Australia | Birthplace: Queensland, Australia; 1955. Bethel Service: 1992 to Present. Governing Body Helper: Personnel Committee; April, 2003 - August 31, 2005. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee, Teaching Committee, Writing Committee Other Information: Was 13 when he was baptized. He learned Tuvaluan. He worked in the Samoa Branch starting in 1985. He served on the Branch Committee in Samoa from 1992 to 1996. He then served on the Branch Committee in Fiji from 1996 to 2003. He and his wife were then transferred to Translation Services at the World Headquarters in Patterson, New York. Jenny died of cancer in 2009. He remarried soon after to Loraini. | Active |
 | Jody James Jedele | Jody Jedele | Governing Body | 05-Oct-2024 | Damaris | USA | Birthplace: USA; January 10, 1970 Bethel Service: Lifelong service; 19 years old. Governing Body Helper: Service Committee; 2023 - Oct 4, 2024. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Service Committee Other Information: He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness; his dad having been baptized in the 1940s and his mother in the 1950s. His sister also served in Bethel. Was originally assigned to the cleaning department at Bethel for 2.5 years. Transferred to the staffing office and after getting married, he transferred to Brooklyn and continued to work with medical matters until 2005. Then he and his wife left bethel to take care of elderly parents. He served on the Hospital Liaison Committee and the Regional Building Committee. In 2013, he returned for 2 weeks to help on the Warwick construction project but has been there ever since. In 2015, he was transferred to Patterson, New York to work with the Local Design Construction (LDC) Department. In 2018, he ended back in Walkill when the LDC was transferred there. In 2021, he was assigned to the Hospital Information Department (HID) and the following year to Hospital Information Services (HIS). | Active | ||
 | Jacob Clark Rumph | Jake Rumph | Governing Body | 05-Oct-2024 | Inga | USA | Birthplace: USA Bethel Service: 2020 to present. Governing Body Helper: Service Committee; 2023 - Oct 4, 2024. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Service Committee Other Information: Rumph was born in 1972. His mother was an inactive Jehovah's Witness and his father was not a member. His grandmother was an active Jehovah's Witness. At 13, he asked his mother to study with Jehovah's Witnesses. Soon thereafter, she was "reactivated". In just a month he was "approved" to be an unbaptized publisher. After the 1998 Regional Convention, he moved to Ecuador to promote and sell Jehovah's Witnesses. He was a Special Pioneer and then a Circuit Overseer. In 2011, he and his wife attended the 132nd Class of Gilead. | Active | ||
 | Michael Stephen Lett | Stephen Lett | Governing Body | 02-Oct-1999 | Susan | Oct-1971 | USA | Birthplace: Alabama, USA; 1949. Bethel Service: 1967 to Present. Governing Body Helper: Teaching Committee; April 1998 - Oct 1, 1999. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Coordinators' Committee, Publishing Committee, Teaching Committee. Other Information: Served as a Circuit Overseer from 1979 to 1998. In April 1998, he was invited to serve as a Helper to the Teaching Committee of the Governing Body, before becoming a member of the Governing Body the following year. | Active | |
 | Gerrit Lӧsch | Gerrit Losch | Jan-1959 | Governing Body | 01-Jul-1994 | Tove Merete | Apr-1967 | Austria | Birthplace: Graz, Austria; 1941. Bethel Service: April 1998 to Present. Governing Body Helper: Service Committee; 1992 to June 30, 1994. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee and Service Committee. Other Information: His father was killed in 1943 when he was just 2 years old. He got married in April 1967. He and his wife attended the 41st Class of Gilead. He was a Circuit Overseer from about 1965 until 1976. After that he served in the Austrian Branch until 1989. After the wall fell, and in July 1990, he was invited to to serve at the World Headquarters in Brooklyn New York. Two years later, he became a Helper to the Service Committee of the Governing Body. He speaks German, English, Romanian and Italian. | Active |
 | Douglas Mark Sanderson | Mark Sanderson | 09-Feb-1975 | Governing Body | 05-Sep-2012 | USA | Birthplace: San Diego, California, USA; February 4, 1965. Bethel Service: September 2008 to Present. Governing Body Helper: Service Committee; September 2010 to September 4, 2005. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Coordinators' Committee, Service Committee, Writing Committee. Other Information: He was only 10 years old when he got baptized as a Jehovah's Witness. He graduated from the Ministerial Training School in December 1990. He then served as a substitute Circuit Overseer from April 1991 until February 1997. He was a member of the Philippines Branch Committee from September 2008 until he was invited to be a Helper to the Service Committee of the Governing Body in September 2010. He speak English and Russian. | Active | ||
 | David Harold Splane | David Splane | Governing Body | 02-Oct-1999 | Linda | Canada | Birthplace: Canada Bethel Service: 1990 to present. Governing Body Helper: Writing Committee; 1998 to October 1, 1999. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee, Publishing Committee, Writing Committee. Other Information: He is a graudate of the 42nd Class of Gilead. He served as a missionary in Senegal, Africa. He was a Circuit Overseer from 1971 until he was invited to served at the World Headquarters in 1990 where he worked in the Service and Writing departments. | Active | ||
 | Anthony Morris III | Tony Morris | Jul-1971 | Governing Body | 01-Sep-2005 | Susan | Dec-1971 | USA | Birthplace: USA Bethel Service: August 1, 2002 to February 22, 2023. Governing Body Helper: Service Committee; August 1, 2002 to August 31, 2005. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee, Publishing Committee, Writing Committee. Other Information: He married his wife in December 1971. They served in Rhode Island and North Carolina. In August 1, 2002, he was invited to serve in the Service Department at Patterson, New York before becoming a Helper to the Service Committee of the Governing Body. They have two sons: Jesse and Paul. Both serve at the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses. Jesse is a member of the US Branch Committee. A brief News Alert on February 22, 2023 on JW.org announced that Anthony Morris was removed from the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses without stating why. Some believe it related to child sexual abuse but the most likely reason is that he has a serious drink problem. | Deleted |
 | Guy Hollis Pierce | Guy Pierce | 14-Aug-1955 | Governing Body | 02-Oct-1999 | Penelope | 30-May-1977 | USA | Birthplace: Auburn, California, USA; November 6, 1934. Bethel Service: 1997 to March 18, 2014. Governing Body Helper: Personnel Committee. Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee. Other Information: He was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness when he was 20 years of age. He married his wife, Penelope (Penny) Wong on May 30, 1977. They had 6 children together. He served as a Circuit Overseer from 1986 until he was invited to serve at the World headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1997. He died March 18, 2014. He was 79 years of age. | Deceased |
 | Martin Pötzinger | Martin Poetzinger | 1926 | Governing Body | 07-Sep-1977 | Germany | Birthplace: Munich, Germany; 25 Jul, 1904. Bethel Service: September 7, 1977 to June 16, 1988. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: . Other Information: Martin Poetzinger entered the Kingdom service in 1926 and entered pioneer service in 1930. He is a graduate of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. His full-time service was interrupted temporarily when he was imprisoned in a concentration camp during the Nazi years of persecution. He was liberated from the Mauthausen camp on May 7, 1945. He died Jun 16, 1988. He was 83 years of age. | Deceased | ||
 | John Edwin Barr | Jack Barr | 1934 | Governing Body | 07-Sep-1977 | Mildred Willet | 29-Oct-1960 | Scotland | Birthplace: Aberdeen Scotland; August 13, 1913. Bethel Service: April 1939 to December 4, 2010. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: . Other Information: Barber has been in full-time service since 1923 and has served at Brooklyn Bethel and as a Circuit Overseer. He married his wife Mildred on October 29, 1960. She died in October 2004. He died December 4, 2010. He was 97 years of age. Download Memorial | Deceased |
 | Carey Walter Barber | Carey Barber | 1921 | Governing Body | 07-Sep-1977 | Sydney Lee Brewer | 18-Feb-1956 | England | Birthplace: England, July 4, 1905. Bethel Service: 1923 to April 8, 2007. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee, Service Committee, Writing Committee. Other Information: Barber was 16 years old when he was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness in Winnipeg, Canada. He had a twin brother named, Norman. Both worked in Brooklyn, New York. He worked on a small press and eventually ended up in the Service Department, focusing on congregation matters and preaching work around the USA. He was assigned as a Circuit Overseer in 1948 visiting assemblies and congregations all over the Western United States. He attended the 26th Class of Gilead, where he met his wife. For their honeymoon, they visited congregations in the Chicago, Illinois, area. He died April 8, 2007 at about 102 years of age. Download Memorial | Deceased |
 | Daniel Sydlik | Dan Sydlik | Governing Body | 28-Nov-1974 | Marina Hodson | 27-Jun-1970 | USA | Birthplace: Belleville, Michigan, USA; February 12, 1919 Bethel Service: August 20, 1946 to April 18, 2006. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee, Writing Committee. Other Information: Sydlik got married to Marina in 1970. She was from England. He died April 18, 2006 having served as a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses for over 31 years. He was 87 years of age. Download Memorial | Deceased | |
 | Theodore Jaracz | Ted Jaracz | 10-Aug-1941 | Governing Body | 28-Nov-1974 | Melita Lasco | 10-Dec-1956 | USA | Birthplace: Kentucky, USA; September 28, 1925. Bethel Service: Nov 28, 1974 to June 9, 2010. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Jaracz was baptized at the age of 15. He served as a Circuit Overseer in Cleveland, Ohio. He married Melita on December 10, 1956. He played a key role in getting the religious group recognized in Poland. He died June 9, 2010. He was 84 years of age. Download Memorial | Deceased |
 | Albert Darger Schroeder | Al Schroeder | 24-Jul-1932 | Governing Body | 28-Nov-1974 | Charlotte Mae Bowin | 1956 | USA | Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, USA; April 7, 1911. Bethel Service: September 13, 1932 to March 8, 2006. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Service Committee, Teaching Committee Other Information: Schroeder supervised the work of Jehovah's Witnesses in Britain when he was just 26 years of age, but was deported in 1942. Was first registrar of Gilead School. He married Charlotte in 1956. They had a son, Judah Ben, in 1958. Schroeder died March 8, 2006. He was 94 years of age. Download Memorial | Deceased |
 | Karl Frederick Klein | Karl Klein | 1918 | Governing Body | 28-Nov-1974 | Margareta Elise Naggert | 1963 | Germany | Birthplace: Neuhütten, Germany; October 25, 1905. Bethel Service: 1925 to January 3, 2001. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Klein's family emmigrated to America when he was 5 years old. Starting in 1925, he served at the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses. He married Margaretta in 1963. He worked in the service department and writing department. He enjoyed a close relationship with fellow Governing Body member, Thomas J. Sullivan. He died January 3, 2001. He was 95 years of age. | Deceased |
 | William Lloyd Barry | Lloyd Barry | Governing Body | 28-Nov-1974 | Melba Jones | 1942 | New Zealand | Birthplace: Christchurch, New Zealand; December 20, 1916. Bethel Service: 1939 to Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Barry first served at the Australia branch in 1939. In his hometown of Christchurch, folks refer to Jehovah's Witnesses as his father's religion: "Bill Barry's religion". He was a graduate of the 11th Class of Gilead. He married Melba in 1942. He served in Japan starting in November 1949, being promoted to branch servant in Tokyo in 1952. In 1975, he was transferred to the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses. He died July 2, 1995. He was 79 years of age. | Deceased | |
 | John Charles Booth | John Booth | 19-Oct-1923 | Governing Body | 28-Nov-1974 | Birthplace: Wallkill, New York, USA; November 19, 1902. Bethel Service: 1935 to January 8, 1996. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Booth was initially baptized as an infant on July 5, 1903 into the Dutch Reformed Church. He resigned from that church in 1921 and got baptized as a Jehovah's Witness some two years later. In 1923 he worked with Knorr on the construction of the Watch Tower Society' radio station, WBBR, on Staten Island. In subsequent years he pioneered in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. He served at World Headquarters, starting in 1935. He was often involved in court cases with Covington related to mob action. He spent 28 years at Kingdom Farm, 5 years at Watchtower Farms and his final years at World Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. He died January 8, 1996. He was 93 years of age. | Deceased | |||
 | Ewart Charles Chitty | Ewart Chitty | 1916 | Governing Body | 28-Nov-1974 | England | Birthplace: Brentford, Middlesex, England; February 11, 1898. Bethel Service: 1921 to 1979. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Chitty's mother joined the group in 1912. It was p. 225 of Studies in the Scriptures, Vol III that impressed upon him the urgency of getting baptized as a Jehovah's Witness. Bear in mind this was 1916/1917. Just a few years later, he begun his service at the London Branch headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses when he was invited to work there in 1921. By 1942, he was Secretary of International Bible Students Association (IBSA). He eventually found his way to the World Headquarters in the late 1940s, early 1950s. When in his 80s, he resigned his position as a member of the Governing Body in 1979 amidst rumors of homosexual activity and problems with alcohol, and left Bethel. He continued to serve as an elder. He died on June 15, 1993. He was 95 years of age. | Resigned, Deceased | ||
 | Charles John Fekel | Charles Fekel | 1916 | Governing Body | 28-Nov-1974 | Austria, Hungary | Birthplace: Bohemia, Austria-Hungary; March 7, 1897. Bethel Service: February 14, 1921 to April 24, 1977. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Personnel Committee. Other Information: Fekel was born in Bohemia, which was part of Austria-Hungary. He immigrated to America in 1905. After hearing a speech about Hell from Charles T. Russell, he got baptized in 1916. He was invited to serve at the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses some 5 years later. He was head of the Factory Composition Department. He also served on Personnel Committee of the Governing Body. He died April 24, 1977. He was 80 years of age. | Deceased | ||
 | George Dimitriou Gangas | George Gangas | 15-Jul-1921 | Governing Body | 15-Oct-1971 | Turkey | Birthplace: New Ephesus, Turkey; February 17, 1896 Bethel Service:October 31, 1928 to July 28, 1994. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Gangas father died when he was just 5 or 6 years of age. He went to America in 1920. He met a Bible Student, as Jehovah's Witnesses were then known, who gave him a copy of Russell's The Divine Plan of the Ages. That book changed his life. He got baptized and in 1928, he received a letter to serve at the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in New York. He spoke English, Greek, and Turkish. He died July 28, 1994. He was 98 years of age. | Deceased | ||
 | Leo Kincaid Greenlees | Leo Greenlees | Governing Body | 20-Oct-1971 | Canada | Birthplace: Canada; June 6, 1911. Bethel Service: 1936 - December, 1984 Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Teaching Committee Other Information: He started service in the Toronto, Canada Bethel in 1936, eventually becoming treasurer of the Canadian branch and of the IBSA of Canada. In the 1940s, the Canadian government wanted to conscript Greenlees, which set of a series of court cases, finally ending in London, England where comscription was repealed in 1946. In 1964 he was invited to the World Headquarters in Brooklyn, and in 1965 was elected as a director of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society New York corporation. He served as a Governing Body from its inception until he was expelled from the Governing Body and the World Headquarters in late 1984 for allegedly abusing a 10 year old boy. However, he continued to serve as a Special Pioneer and elder in New Orleans, in the Southern US state of Louisiana. He died on February 17, 1988 in Modesto, California. He was 76 years of age. | Deleted, Deceased | |||
 | William Kirk Jackson | Bill Jackson | Governing Body | 15-Oct-1971 | Rachael Delauris William | 05-Dec-1929 | USA | Birthplace: Galveston, Texas, USA; September 16, 1901. Bethel Service: November 13, 1937 to December 13, 1981 Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Jackson married Rachael on Dec 5, 1929. He served with Hayden C. Covington from 1941 before becoming a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. He died December 13, 1981. He was 80 years of age. | Deceased | |
 | Raymond Victor Franz | Ray Franz | 1939 | Governing Body | 20-Oct-1971 | Cynthia Badame | 1959 | USA | Birthplace: Cincinatti, Ohio, USA; May 8, 1922 Bethel Service: 1965 to May 22, 1980 Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Franz' uncle was Frederick Franz, 4th president of the Watch Tower Society. He graduated from Gilead in 1944 at the tender age of 22. An announcement was made in the Kingdom Service publication that Franz was no longer a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses as of May 22, 1980. The reason wasn't given but it was later to be discovered that he was expelled for apostasy. He died June 2, 2010. He was 88. | Disfellowshipped, Deceased |
| Milton George Henschel | Milton G. Henschel | 1934 | Governing Body | 01-Oct-1971 | Lucille Bennett | 1956 | USA | Birthplace: Pomona, New Jersey, USA; August 9, 1920. Bethel Service: 1939 to March 22, 2003. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Henschel was the last president of the Watch Tower Society that also served on the Governing Body. He relinquished is presidency in 2000. His father, Herman George Henschel established the Watch Tower Farm on Staten Island. He married Lucille in 1956. She was a graduate of the 14th Class of Gilead and a former missionary in Venezuela. He died March 22, 2003. He was 82. | Deceased |
| Lyman Alexander Swingle | Lyman Swingle | 1923 | Governing Body | 01-Oct-1971 | Crystal L. Waldrop | 09-Jun-1956 | USA | Birthplace: Lincoln Township, Antelope, Nebraska, USA; November 6, 1910. Bethel Service: April 5, 1930 to March 14, 2001. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Swingle was baptized at just 13 years of age. He served at world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses beginning April 5, 1930. He was first assigned to the bindery, then to the pressroom, and he also helped make ink. He spent about 25 years in the ink room. He also served for some 20 years as a member of the headquarters’ writing staff. For the final 17 years of his life, he worked in the Treasurer’s Office. He married Crystal on June 9, 1956 in Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama. He was a director of many of the Jehovah's Witnesses' cooperating legal entities. He died March 14, 2001. He was 90 years of age. | Deceased |
| Frederick William Franz | Fred Franz | 05-Apr-1914 | Governing Body | 01-Oct-1971 | USA | Birthplace: Covington, Kentucky, USA; September 12, 1893. Bethel Service: 1920 to December 22, 1992. Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Franz served at the World Headquarters, starting in 1920. He became the fourth president of the Watch Tower Society after Nathan H. Knorr died in June, 1977. Previously, he served as vice president from 1945. He served as president until his death on December 22, 1992. He was 99 years of age. | Deceased | ||
| Grant George Suiter | Grant Suiter | 10-Oct-1926 | Governing Body | 01-Oct-1971 | Edith Rettos | 1956 | USA | Birthplace: Black Bear, Shoshone, Idaho, USA; January 26, 1908 Bethel Service: 1928 to November 22, 1983 Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Suiter started work at the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1928. He became a Watch Tower director in 1938 and secretary- treasurer in 1947. He married Edith in 1956. He died November 22, 1983. He was 75 years of age. | Deceased |
 | Nathan Homer Knorr | Nathan Knorr | 04-Jul-1923 | Governing Body | 01-Oct-1971 | Audrey Mock | 1953 | USA | Birthplace: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA; April 23, 1905. Bethel Service: September 6, 1923 to June 8, 1977 Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Knorr was baptized at 18 years of age. In January, 1934, at 28 years of age, he was appointed as director of the People's Pulpit Association. This entity was later renamed as Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York. He became the third president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in January 1942, shortly after Joseph F. Rutherford died. He married Audrey in 1953. He is responsible for introducing the Theocratic Ministry School, helping members be more effective preachers and public speakers. When he became president, there were 25 branches around the world. By the time he died, there were 97. He died on June 8, 1977. He was 72 years of age. | Deceased |
| John Otto Groh | John Groh | Apr-1934 | Governing Body | 01-Oct-1971 | Helen | USA | Birthplace: Kulm, North Dakota, USA; July 3, 1906. Bethel Service: 1953 - January 23, 1975 Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Groh and his wife served as full time pioneers in the Pittsburg, Pennsylvania area until he was invited to serve at World Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York in 1953. He headed up the Purchasing Department. He died January 23, 1975. | Deceased | |
 | Thomas James Sullivan | Thomas Sullivan | March-1916 | Governing Body | 01-Oct-1971 | Evelyn | Ireland | Birthplace: Kerry, Ireland; May 14, 1888. Bethel Service: 1924 to July 30, 1974 Governing Body Helper: Governing Body Committee Memberships: Other Information: Sullivan was baptized March 1916 at the age of 27. He was made a member of the board of directors of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania on October 31, 1932. He died at Watchtower Farm on July 30, 1974. He was 86 years of age. | Deceased |
| Mugshot | Name | Alias | Committee | Status | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | John Ekrann | Coordinators Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Paul Stuart Gillies | Paul Gillies | Coordinators Committee | Active | ||||||
 | Troy Snyder | Coordinators Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Gerald Grizzle | Personnel Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Patrick LaFranca | Personnel Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Daniel Molchan | Personnel Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Mark Scott | Personnel Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Ralph Walls | Personnel Committee | Active | |||||||
| Robert Butler | Publishing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Harold Corkern | Publishing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Gajus Glockentin | Publishing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Donald Gordon | Publishing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Robert Luccioni | Publishing Committee | Active | |||||||
| Peter Price III | Publishing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Alex Reinmueller | Publishing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | David Sinclair | Publishing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Gary Breaux | Service Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Joel Dellinger | Service Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Betty Georges | Service Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Anthony Griffin | Service Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Seth Hyatt | Rocky | Service Committee | Active | ||||||
 | Christopher Mavor | Service Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Baltasar Perla, Jr. | Service Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Jonathan Smith | Service Committee | Active | |||||||
 | William Turner, Jr. | Service Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Leon Weaver, Jr. | Service Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Michael Banks | Teaching Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Ronald Curzan | Teaching Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Kenneth Flodin | Teaching Committee | Active | |||||||
 | William Malenfant | Teaching Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Mark Noumair | Teaching Committee | Active | |||||||
 | David Schafer | Teaching Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Nicholas Ahladis | Writing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Per Christensen | Writing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Robert Ciranko | Writing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Kenneth Godburn | Writing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | James Mantz | Writing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Izak Marais | Writing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Clive Martin | Writing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Leonard Myers | Writing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Gene Smalley | Writing Committee | Active | |||||||
 | Hermanus van Selm | Writing Committee | Active |
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is currently made up of eleven men who claim to be anointed servants of Jehovah God. They have given themselves the responsibility for giving direction and impetus to what they call “the Kingdom work.” They also refer to themselves as the “Faithful and Discreet Slave” from a portion of a parable found in the gospel of Matthew. (Matt. 24:14, 45-47; Rev. 12:17) The Governing Body asserts that they look to Jehovah and to Jesus Christ for direction in all matters. (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:23) The Governing Body also claims that God directs it by holy spirit, while simultaneously claiming that it is neither inspired or infallible. The members of the Governing Body do not regard themselves as the leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses but rather that they take the lead of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These seemingly contradictory statements are known as doublespeak. The writers of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ material use doublespeak quite extensively.
The Bible says: “Let all things take place decently and by arrangement.” (1 Cor. 14:40) The Governing Body claim to obey this direction by putting in place various procedures and guidelines that ensure the smooth and orderly operation of the branch offices and the congregations. Specially selected men are required to do their part by setting an example of obedience as they put such arrangements into effect. All Jehovah’s Witnesses, especially overseers, are required to look to Jehovah for guidance and pray regularly for his direction and blessing. Then irrespective of what the prayer said, they consult their guidelines or textbooks and comply with the instructions given therein. All are required to show themselves “reasonable, ready to obey” those placed in positions of oversight. Those in positions of oversight are not leaders, they are just those who are in positions of oversight. (Jas. 3:17) Thus, each group, congregation, circuit, and branch is blessed with a united, orderly body of believers who leave their minds at the door and fail to notice the glaringly obvious contradictions and doublespeak.—1 Cor. 14:33; 1 Tim. 1:11.
While the Governing Body delegates certain details or responsibilities to committees made up of men they consider loyal to a fault; or to instruments such as corporations and legal agencies. The Governing Body always takes the lead, without leading, in promoting the smooth functioning of the organization and the unity of all of God’s people.—Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 1:3; Titus 1:5; Heb. 13:17; w01 1/15 pp. 28-31. How persons who are are in positions of leadership, have the power to approve, direct, delegate, and are always ‘taking the lead’ but not leading is not intended to be understood by a rational mind.
The Governing Body gives final approval for new publications as well as new audio and video programs.
The Governing Body cares for the appointment and deletion of Branch and Country committee members and designates the brother who will serve as the coordinator of those committees. It also appoints circuit overseers and country representatives. In most cases, such appointments are made based on recommendations received from the Branch Committee. They may pray before making a decision to approve such appointments but when the recommendation is made it’s an almost foregone conclusion unless there is details in the candidate’s record that is amiss, or there is no immediate requirement for promotion. The Governing Body also appoints Helpers to Governing Body committees as well as headquarters representatives qualified to make branch visits. Qualifications is not based on education as much as it is based on loyalty to the organization. And at all times, the Governing Body are not leaders but men who take the lead and can make appointments as they see fit. Although these are activities that a leader may carry out, it is also something men can do if they are not leaders but are ‘taking the lead’.
The Governing Body may arrange for qualified men to care for theocratic assignments in any locality at any time. Of course, it is not bound by recommendations received from other elders because qualifications can also be based on nepotism and/or a man’s secular education that is relevant to the required appointment. Such recommendations, then, serve merely as a guide and may even be rejected for reasons known only to the Governing Body. In other words, the Governing Body keep their reasons from those who are not ‘taking the lead’, are not qualified to take the lead, or are those who have a vagina and therefore are unable to take the lead. The Governing Body, therefore, has the prerogative to use its discretion and look into any matters it deems necessary to examine with regard to the “Kingdom work.”
Unlike leaders of democratic countries, you may not question the authority, direction, or anything else provided by those ‘taking the lead’ in Jehovah’s Witnesses. In short, you can question leaders in a democratic society, but you cannot question those ‘taking the lead’ in the Watch Tower Society.