Jehovah’s Witness convention back in town

Thousands are expected to be in town this weekend.

Starting today and running through Sunday, a Jehovah’s Witness convention at the Forum River Center will draw thousands from Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee to Rome.

The convention opens at 9:20 a.m. today, as well as Saturday and Sunday, at 301 Tribune St., and each day will wrap up around 4 p.m. Over 2,000 people are expected to attend each day. There is no cost associated with attending the convention and people of all ages are welcome.

A Jehovah’s Witness convention in Spanish was held at the Forum two weeks ago, with attendance reaching 3,000 on the last day of the event. After this weekend’s convention another one will be held Sept. 1-3 — both are in English.

“This year’s convention theme — ‘DON’T GIVE UP’ — will be of great encouragement, not just for individual attendees, but also for entire families that are feeling the pressure of raising children and coping with the stresses of daily life,” said Mark Henderson, convention program overseer.

“This fast-pace program is divided into 52 parts and will be presented in a variety of formats, including brief discourses, interviews, and short-video presentations; each of which will remind us that the Bible is the most reliable source of guidance.”

Saturday morning will feature a baptism program. On Sunday there will be a faith-strengthening discourse presented, discussing scriptural reasons for people to not give up hope.

The Forum has hosted the convention for almost 10 years, Brent Poplin, manager of the facility, previously said.