Jehovah’s Witnesses Established First Branch Office in Estonia in 1926

In 1926, Jehovah’s Witnesses established their first branch office in Tallinn, Estonia, marking a significant milestone in their global mission. This development provided a solid foundation for local preaching and prepared the congregation for future events. The mission in Estonia had already begun before the official branch office was set up, with dedicated individuals working to spread the message of the Bible.

Albert West, a young brother from England, was assigned to Estonia to oversee the mission. He found a small apartment in Tallinn to serve as his base of operations. Prior to his arrival, the Kossé family had been actively preaching in the region. Hugo Kossé and his brother Martin Kossé had previously read a journal published by Bible researchers in the United States, which inspired them to share the truth with their families and others in Estonia.

By 1931, the congregation in Estonia had grown to include only 16 members. To reach a wider audience, the brothers decided to broadcast the Bible on the radio. These broadcasts, which were conducted in eight languages, reached listeners across northern Europe and as far as Leningrad, Odessa, and New York, with an estimated 2 million people tuning in.

During World War II, Estonia became a battleground between the Soviet and German armies, and Jehovah’s Witnesses faced severe persecution. After 1940, public activities of the congregation were forced to be secret. From 1948 onward, authorities began arresting and detaining members, with 73 individuals placed in detention camps. In 1951, the Soviet Union launched Operation North, resulting in the exile of more than 9,700 Jehovah’s Witnesses from across the Soviet Union. Many families were subjected to harsh treatment, with some sent to Siberia. In Estonia alone, 276 members were exiled.

In October, the first group of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Estonia registered legally. At that time, nearly 1,000 members were present. Today, more than 4,100 preachers serve in 54 congregations, preaching in Estonian, Estonian sign language, Russian, and Voru. In Tallinn, there are facilities that support translation, recording, and meetings, reflecting the ongoing commitment to spreading the message.

Over the past century, many challenges have been faced, yet the love and passion of the Estonian congregation have remained steadfast. Their courage serves as an example of perseverance in the face of adversity. As the Bible reminds us in Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The Lord continues to guide His people in their important work of declaring the truth.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Mandarin Chinese)