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Amanda Mlevu, Sunday News Reporter
JEHOVAH’S Witness has hosted the first large series convention since 2019 at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic that led to the ban on public gatherings, Jehovah’s Witnesses also fell victim, but they have put all that behind them with a well-attended church convention that started on Friday and ends today. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centres and theatres around the world for more than 100 years and more than 3000 have attended the Bulawayo event.
The regional spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witness, Mlaleli Mlungisi Nsikani, said they were hosting the first large gathering since 2019 and people have turned up in numbers to learn more about the church.
“The three-day conference has six different sections. We are having bible lectures, videos, bible based dramas that are going to teach quality-based patience. We have invited people from Bulawayo, Plumtree, Kezi and even Khami prison. “
Nsikani pointed out that in 2020, the pandemic interrupted the tradition in (ZITF Hall 3] when the Witnesses cancelled in-person events throughout the world and held their convention programmes as virtual events in more than 500 languages.
“As much as we loved the convenience and quality of our virtual conventions, nothing can replace being together in a large group setting. 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.”
The church will host 6 000 conventions that will be held worldwide as part of the 2023 “exercise patience” convention series. In Zimbabwe, more than 60 conventions will be held across the country. From Friday to Sunday, six convention sessions explored the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through scriptural examples. There was also a baptism session following the Saturday morning session.
“Patience is a beautiful quality that all Christians desire to display in their daily lives. 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 quality time will be very timely for all of us,” said Nsikani.
Bongani Ndlovu