Jehovah Witnesses plan first OKC post-pandemic convention

IN BRIEF

Jehovah Witnesses will host a global convention Friday through Sunday in the Jim Norick Arena at the State Fairgrounds.

After a three-year “pandemic pause,” the faith group has once again chosen Oklahoma City to host the event and this year’s theme is “Exercise Patience.”

Prior to 2019, summers in Oklahoma City were marked by Jehovah’s Witnesses filling hotels and restaurants as they attended their annual conventions at State Fairgrounds. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted that tradition in Oklahoma City when the Jehovah Witnesses canceled their in-person events throughout the world and held their convention programs as virtual events in more than 500 languages.

“During the pandemic, we transitioned to a virtual platform to ensure everyone’s safety and still enjoyed excellent, high-quality programs,” Mike Turner, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses, said in a news release. “Throughout that time, however, we couldn’t wait to resume our large gatherings.”

About 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention series. In the U.S., more than 700 conventions will be held in 144 host cities. The conventions will include six sessions that will explore the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through Scriptural examples. A baptism will be performed after the Saturday morning session and a prerecorded drama will be featured in two parts during the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions. The convention will be open to the public and no offering collection is taken. For more information, go to www. jw. org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/conventions//.