Then in 1966, Denton Hopkinson, who had arrived in 1954, was appointed branch overseer. He served well as such for about ten years until Jehovah’s organization saw fit to implement a new arrangement for the oversight of branches worldwide.

Denton Hopkinson, now serving as the Branch Committee coordinator, observes: “Looking back, you can see how that was a wise and timely move. With the amount of work and the size of the organization, one person could not keep his finger on all things. The weight of responsibility is more evenly distributed now.”

Proverbs 15:22 says: “In the multitude of counselors there is accomplishment.” Consulting with others results in a valuable pool of wisdom. The Philippines Branch Committee applies that principle. Since Brother Hopkinson was appointed branch overseer, the size of the Bethel staff has grown tenfold, and so has the work.

[Picture on page 207]

Branch Committee, from left to right: (seated) Denton Hopkinson,