Voices raise together in song, lifting to the rafters of the Bismarck Civic Center arena.

The songs give pause to lessons and speeches at the 2006-07 District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses.

The three-day convention gives members a chance to reflect on spiritual lessons and meet with members of the district's other congregations.

"Mostly, we're here for Bible instruction," media contact Todd Titterington said.

Each year the convention has a theme. This year it is "Deliverance at Hand!" The theme gives each day a different focus. The theme is about delivering people from "the wicked one."

"It's for encouragement, to keep their head up each day," said member Joen Blouin, of Breckinridge, Minn.

Blouin said people need to know wickedness is not within, but a being.

To prepare oneself, members are learning ways to live their lives spiritually.

"It's like a smorgasbord of spiritual food," Titterington said about convention offerings.

There are discussions on raising families, marriage and ministry, he said.

Titterington anticipates 3,500 people to attend the convention. The convention is open to the public.

The district convention is one of 266 convention happening across the country during 2006-07. It is the 22nd year the district convention is in Bismarck. Members from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana attended.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)