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Waterfalls Assembly Hall to Host the First Large Convention of since 2019
After a three-year pandemic pause, one of the largest convention organizations in the world has once again chosen Harare, among other places around the country to host its global three-day event, the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention.
Prior to 2019, winters across Zimbabwe were marked by Jehovah’s Witnesses filling various rented places as they attended their annual conventions. In 2020, the pandemic interrupted that tradition across the country when the Witnesses canceled their in-person events throughout the world and held their convention programs as virtual events in more than 500 languages. Beginning June 9, 2023, the Witnesses will bring that tradition back in most parts of the nation.
“As much as we loved the convenience and quality of our virtual conventions, nothing can replace being together in a large group setting,” said Mr. Rodrick Nchenga, a local spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
“While our online conventions reached millions around the world and kept our communities safe, we long to get back to our joyful fellowship at these large gatherings.”
Some 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention series. In Zimbabwe alone, more than 60 conventions will be held in several host cities and rural areas. From Friday through Sunday, six convention sessions will explore the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through Scriptural examples.
The highlight on Friday is a presentation on how people can learn to exercise patience to help them reach their goals. A live baptism will be performed following the Saturday morning session and a feature drama will be featured in two parts during the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions to help society see how they can deal with challenges and learn to wait on Jehovah. Other talking points include ‘How can showing patience help you improve your relationships with family and friends?’, and If one prays to God for help, what can they expect?’.
A Bible-based talk “Will God Act in Your Behalf?” will answer these and other pertinent questions. “Patience is a beautiful quality that all Christians desire to display in their daily lives,” Mr. Nchenga, “Despite our good intentions, however, maintaining patience in the face of life’s many challenges can be a daily struggle. Spending three days exploring aspects of this quality will be very timely for all of us.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world for more than 100 years.
After resuming smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, the summer of 2023 marks the first time they will gather at much larger regional events around the world since the lifting of pandemic restrictions. Locally other conventions will be held in Bulawayo, Binga, Chitungwiza, Gweru, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Gokwe, Chinhoyi, Karoi, Magunje, Hwange, Gwanda, Marondera, Mutare, Kadoma, Mahuwe, Bindura, Guruve, Checheche, Rusape, Mutasa, Mt Darwin, Beit Bridge, Mukumbura, Tongogara, and Murambinda among other places.
The convention is open to the public and no collection is taken. For more information on the program or to find other convention locations and dates, please go to jw.org and navigate to the “About Us” tab.