Daluwon comes alive as Jehovah’s Witnesses kick off Exercise Patience convention

 

DALUWON Ogun State – The smiling faces, the beautifully adorned men and women portraying cultural diversity, the serenity and calm are characteristics of the gatherings of Jehovah’s Witnesses all over the world. 

After a stretched covid-19 pandemic, the Witnesses are happy to return to their in-person Conventions; and here in Daluwon, Ogun State Nigeria, the story is not different. The “Exercise Patience” Regional Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 2023 – Daluwon 3 took place between September 1 – 3 2023.

The program which began at 8:20am daily focuses on the virtue of cultivating the quality of patience amidst a world where people have little or no patience.

Some highlights from the first day of the convention program which is drawn from 1 Corr. 13:4 – ‘Love is patient and kind’ includes the Convention chairman’s opening address where he stressed the need for patience. Also, a four-part symposium titled “There is an appointed time for everything”, was presented by 4 speakers from various congregations and focused on Jehovah’s view of time, and 3 key areas that take time to build – building friendship, spiritual growth and reaching goals. Also, biblical examples of Abraham and Serah, Joseph, Job, Mordecai and Esther, Zechariah and Elizabeth were alluded to as examples of those who inherited the promises through patience.

The 2nd day of the Convention which was drawn from 1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “Be patient toward all” was majorly marked by the baptism of new members of the family who according the speaker, have studied intensely to take in knowledge of bible truth and have reached a point of dedication, emphasising that their baptism is simply a public demonstration of their willingness to dedicate their life wholly to the doing of God’s will along with fellow Witnesses. He stressed that the baptism of the 38 candidates is only made possible because of God’s patience toward mankind. He encouraged the newly baptised friends not to take God’s patience for granted even as baptism opens the door of opportunities for more spiritual privileges.

The virtue of patience was again highlighted on the second day via a 4-part symposium ‘With Patience, Put Up With One Another in Love’ in connection with “Unbelieving Relatives” (Colossians 4:6), “Your Mate” (Proverbs 19:11), “Your Children (2 Timothy 3:14) and “Infirm or Elderly Family Members (Hebrews 13:16).

Another major content was the 30-minutes feature drama titled ““Commit Your Way to Jehovah”​—Part 1. This modern-day drama with an ancient or biblical antitype which caught the admiration of the over 2000 delegates portrayed the need to be patient with fellow Christians and all.

The third and final day of the Convention (Sunday) saw a large turnout of delegates – Witnesses and invited friends as the convention complex was filled to full capacity even at the beginning of the program. The days’ theme drawn from Isaiah 30:18 titled “Jehovah is waiting patiently to show you favour” highlighted that patience has been one of God’s cardinal qualities as demonstrated by his dealings with the sons of Israel through the prophets Elijah, Micah, Hosea, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Daniel.

The major highlight on this day included the Public Bible Discuss – “Will God act in your behalf”, and Part 2 of the feature drama. The Public Bible-based discuss called for an honest self-examination as an unusual calm greeted the auditorium even as the speaker, Brother Joshua Ebalu emphasised the need to take advantage of God’s patience but to remain confident that Jehovah will act on their behalf as long as they are in an approved relationship with him. Then came the Part 2 of the feature Drama which again was drawn from an ancient antitype with a modern-day learning experience. A thrilled audience clapped sporadically to reflect their contentment and joy of experiencing the 30-minute dramatization.

The final talk of the convention entitled “Jehovah is waiting patiently to show you favor” based on Isaiah 30:18-21 was a great motivation for the over 2,200 delegates and nearly 300 volunteers who listened attentively as Brother Joshua Oguntimehin highlighted Jehovah’s example of patience and what he is doing to keep his purpose in view. He urged all to be more determined than ever to wait patiently on Jehovah to act on their behalf in his due time on their behalf.

In the words of the Regional Spokesman Jahswill Stephen, it was simply “a refreshing and reinvigorating experience for all lovers of truth and all who yearn for positive change”.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world for more than 100 years. 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 https://jw.org and navigate to the “About Us” tab