Prince George has been chosen once again by one of the largest convention organizations in the world to host a three-day event, the 2023 “Exercise Patience” convention.
After a three-year global pandemic pause, Jehovah’s Witnesses are resuming their in-person annual conventions. This is their first convention held in Prince George since 2018. It also marks their first in-person convention held in northern B.C. since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
Prior to 2018, their convention was a familiar summer sight in the city. In 2020, the pandemic interrupted that tradition, as the Witnesses canceled their in-person events and held their convention
programs virtually. Beginning July 28, the Witnesses will bring that tradition back to CN Centre.
“Finally being able to come together is really exciting for our community,” said Stefan Freudentheil,
local spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Our annual conventions have always been something that
we look forward to. After such a long time apart, being able to see our friends face to face makes it
extra special.”
An estimated 2,300 people from across northern B.C. are expected to attend. They will be travelling from as far away as Williams Lake, Quesnel, Fort St. John, Masset, Prince Rupert, and many communities in between. Delegates will be staying in local hotels, dining at local restaurants, and finding other things to do in the city.
“We are grateful to the city of Prince George for such a warm welcome,” said Kurt Johnson, one of the
convention’s organizers “Our experience with the staff at CN Centre and the team at Tourism Prince
George is worth mentioning. Right from the start they have been approachable, helpful, and great to
work with. We look forward to working with them again.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centres,
and theaters for more than 100 years. Some 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the
“Exercise Patience”! convention series. In Canada alone, more than 50 conventions will be held in 23
host cities this summer.
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 video presentation will be featured in two parts during the
Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions.
“It took patience to get through the pandemic. After going through that, it seems like there is less of it in the world,” said Freudentheil. “Having a three-day event to help us develop more patience is needed
now more than ever. It will help us have more peace mind and improve our relationships with others.”
After resuming smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, the summer of 2023
marks the first time Jehovah’s Witnesses 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 navigate to the “About Us” tab.