Katie of Murrieta eagerly anticipated July 8, the day she would step into the pool on the floor of the Ontario Toyota Arena to get baptized. “I know this convention will be one that I remember the most. Although there are so many people, to see all the faces and hear all the singing voices in person, makes me feel safe,” said Katie.
Her parents studied the Bible with Katie from a very early age. “This is a personal decision I have wanted to make for a long time.”
Thousands will look on as other congregants will also be fully immersed in the baptismal pool, highlighting the second day of the three-day “Exercise Patience”! Regional Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses on August 18-20, 2023. The morning session begins at 9:20 AM and culminates with a talk preceding the baptism event.
Another highlight of the convention’s second day will be the first of a two-part prerecorded feature Bible drama.
“A highlight is seeing the big smiles on the faces of those who are to be baptized on Saturday, as a public demonstration of their faith,” said Phil Pappas, a local spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “After a three-year pause due to the pandemic, I'm looking forward to greeting friends and visitors at the convention.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world for more than 100 years prior to April 2020, when the organization canceled all its in-person events around the world. After resuming smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, the summer of 2023 marks the first time they will gather at much larger regional events around the world.
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.