New York

Queens Assembly Hall to Host the First Large Convention of Jehovah’s
Witnesses Since 2019

Sunnyside, Queens – May 18, 2023 - After a three-year pandemic pause, one of the largest convention organizations in the world has once again chosen Queens to host its global three-day event, the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention.

Prior to 2019, summers in Queens were marked by Jehovah’s Witnesses filling hotels and restaurants as they attended their annual conventions at the Queens Assembly Hall. In 2020, the pandemic interrupted that tradition in Queens 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 that tradition back to Queens.

“We are excited to be back together for these annual events,” said Mark Godoy, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “This year’s theme couldn’t be timelier with all that we have seen and experienced since 2019. The quality of patience can help us all to be more understanding, tolerant, loving and kind with each other.”

Some 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention series. In the United States alone, 708 conventions will be held in 144 host cities including sessions in 38 different languages. 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 quality that is lacking among many people today,” said Godoy. “This quality is within our reach if we truly want to possess it. The world would be a much better place to live in if we all strive to be more patient with others.”

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, the summer of 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 navigate to the “About Us” tab.