Jehovah’s Witnesses hold annual convention in Little Rock

Jehovah’s Witnesses Hold Annual Convention in Little Rock

Jehovah’s Witnesses have once again gathered in Little Rock, Arkansas, for their annual convention. The event, which began on Friday and concluded on Sunday, brought a surge of visitors to the capital city. This year marks the second year of in-person conventions following a lengthy pause due to the pandemic.

The three-day convention featured 47 separate lessons or “Bible talks,” most of which were accompanied by videos. The theme of the convention was “Exercise patience,” focusing on how Bible principles can help individuals cultivate patience in a stressful world.

One of the significant events during the convention was the baptism of 17 new believers. Baptisms are performed by immersion and do not include the phrase “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” as Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus was a “spirit person” prior to his incarnation. During the baptisms, family members gathered around the tank to take photographs, and the audience broke into applause as each individual was immersed and emerged from the water.

Organizers reported that the three conventions brought a total of over 6,700 visitors to Little Rock, generating significant revenue for the local hotels and convention venues. The Witnesses plan to hold future conventions at the same venue, with dates already reserved until 2028.

In addition to the lessons and baptisms, the convention included a feature drama titled “The Good News According to Jesus.” This two-part episode depicted the miraculous birth and childhood of Jesus, highlighting prophecies and events from the Gospels. Overall, the event provided a welcoming space for Jehovah’s Witnesses to gather, share their faith, and celebrate their community.

Conventions Worldwide

In addition to the Little Rock event, Jehovah’s Witnesses are holding 6,000 conventions globally this summer, including 700 in 144 U.S. cities. The organization, which has 8.7 million Witnesses preaching in 240 countries, territories, possessions, and lands, resumed in-person activities in April 2022 after a two-year pause due to the pandemic.