Jehovah’s Witnesses global convention set to return to Tri-Cities at Toyota Center

After a three-year pandemic pause, Tri-Cities Jehovah’s Witnesses will be able to participate in their annual convention in person. The event is one of the largest convention organizations in the world, and will host local attendees of the 2023 “Exercise Patience!” Convention at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, according to a news release from the organization.

Prior to 2019, summers in the Tri-Cities were marked by Jehovah’s Witnesses filling hotels and restaurants as they attended their annual conventions at the Toyota Center. Beginning July 7, they’ll bring that tradition back to the Tri-Cities.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world for more than 100 years. They held their convention programs as virtual events in more than 500 languages during the pandemic.

“As much as we loved the convenience and quality of our virtual conventions, nothing can replace being together in a large group setting,” Spokesman Erik Larson said in the news release. “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.”

They held smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, before scaling back up for this year’s event.

About 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the convention series. In the United States alone, more than 700 conventions will be held in 144 host cities.

From Friday through Sunday, six convention sessions will explore the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through Scriptural examples. A live baptism will be performed and a prerecorded drama will be featured in two parts.

“Patience is a beautiful quality that all Christians desire to display in their daily lives,” said Larson. “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.”

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.