Kotu Assembly Hall to host first Jehovah’s Witness convention

The three-day event to be held on the theme “Exercise Patience” is set to attract delegates from around the globe.

Prior to 2019, summer is mostly regarded by Jehovah’s Witness members during which, they convene this International event.

In 2020, the pandemic interrupted the event which is regarded as an annual tradition, thus staging the event through virtual means and in more than 500 languages.

“As much as we love the convenience and quality of our virtual conventions, nothing can replace being together in a large group setting,” said Walter Sukkau, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witness.

 “While our online conventions reached millions around the world and kept our communities safe, we longed to get back to our joyful fellowship at these large gatherings,” he said joyfully.

Sukkau revealed that some 6,000 conventions would be held worldwide as part of the 2023 event, adding that in The Gambia, one convention will be held in Kotu.

"From Friday 7th July through Sunday 9th July 2023, six convention sessions will explore the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through scriptural examples,” Sukkau said, adding: “A live baptism will be performed following the Saturday morning session and a pre-recorded drama would feature in two parts during the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions.”

He says further: “Patience is a beautiful quality that all Christians desire to display in their daily lives. 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, he added, have been convening public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centres as well as in theatres around the world for more than 100 years.

The convention, he says, is open to the public and no collection is taken.