Leyte
Palo, Leyte
Dates: May 26 to 23, 2023 and June 2 to 4, 2023
Venue: Leyte Academic Center
Bohol
Tagbilaran City
Dates: May 26 to May 28, 2023
Venue: Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium
Carmen
Dates: June 2 to 4, 2023
Venue: Calape Cultural Center and Sports Complex
Calbayog City
Dates: June 9 to 11, 2023
Venue: Calbayog City Sports Center
Cebu
San Remigio
Dates: June 16 to 18, 2023
Venue: Hagnaya Beach Resort – Convention Hall
Argao
Dates: June 23 to June 25, 2023
Venue: Cerge Remonde Sports and Cultural Center
Toledo City
Dates: June 30 to July 2, 2023
Venue: Toledo Sports Center
Lapu-Lapu City
Dates: July 7 to 9, July 14 to 16, and July 21 to 23, 2023
Venue: Hoops Dome
Northern Samar
Catarman
Dates: June 23 to 25, 2023
Venue: University of Eastern Philippines Gymnatorium
Mapanas
Dates: June 30 to July 2, 2023
Venue: Mapanas Gymnasium
Ormoc City
Dates: August 4 to 6, 2023
Venue: Ormoc City Superdome
Before 2019, mid-year months in these cities were marked by Jehovah’s Witnesses filling hotels and restaurants as they attended their annual conventions.
In 2020, the pandemic interrupted that tradition when the Witnesses canceled their in-person events throughout the world and held their convention programs as virtual events in more than 500 languages. Beginning May 26, 2023, the Witnesses will bring the tradition back to the various host venues.
“As much as we loved the convenience and quality of our virtual conventions, nothing can replace being together in a large group setting,” said James Morales, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “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.”
Some 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the 2023 “Exercise Patience!” Convention series.
In the Philippines alone, more than 170 conventions will be held in 90 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 following the Saturday morning session and a prerecorded drama will be featured in two parts during the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions.
“Patience is a beautiful quality that all Christians desire to display in their daily lives,” says Morales. “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 have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world for more than 100 years. After resuming smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, mid-year 2023 marks the first time they will gather at much larger regional events around the world since the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
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 go to the “About Us” tab. (SPONSORED CONTENT)