New Members of the Governing Body

ON Saturday, October 2, 1999, the Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania was concluded with a surprise announcement. The 10,594 in attendance or connected by tie line were thrilled to hear that four new members had been added to the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The new members, all anointed Christians, are Samuel F. Herd; M. Stephen Lett; Guy H. Pierce; and David H. Splane.

• Samuel Herd started pioneering in 1958, and from 1965 to 1997, he was in the circuit and district work. Thereafter, he and his wife, Gloria, have been part of the United States Bethel family, where Brother Herd has been working in the Service Department. He was also serving as a helper to the Service Committee.

• Stephen Lett started pioneering in December 1966, and from 1967 to 1971, he served at Bethel in the United States. In October 1971, he married his wife, Susan, and went into the special pioneer service. From 1979 to 1998, he served as a circuit overseer. Since April 1998, he and Susan have been part of the United States Bethel family. There he has worked in the Service Department and was a helper to the Teaching Committee.

• Guy Pierce raised a family and then with his wife started pioneering in April 1982. He served as a circuit overseer from 1986 until 1997, when he and his wife, Penny, became part of the United States Bethel family. Brother Pierce had been serving as a helper to the Personnel Committee.

• David Splane started pioneering in September 1963. A graduate of the 42nd class of Gilead, he served as a missionary in Senegal, Africa, then for 19 years in the circuit work in Canada. He and his wife, Linda, have been at Bethel in the United States since 1990, where Brother Splane has worked in the Service and Writing departments. Since 1998, he had been a helper to the Writing Committee.

In addition to the four new members, the Governing Body now consists of C. W. Barber, J. E. Barr, M. G. Henschel, G. Lösch, T. Jaracz, K. F. Klein, A. D. Schroeder, L. A. Swingle, and D. Sydlik. It is the prayer of all that Jehovah will continue to bless and strengthen the Governing Body, now enlarged, as it continues to oversee the activities of God’s people around the world and serve their spiritual interests.