Mariama Correa of Latrikunda, The Gambia, eagerly anticipated Saturday, July 8, 2023, the day she stepped into the pool of the KotuAssembly Hall to get baptized.
“It was quite a personal journey, but I was so excited to have finally come to the most important moment of my life,” said Mariama, who studied the Bible for some years before making this decision.
Hundreds looked on as Mariama joined other congregants who were also fully immersed in the baptismal pool, highlighting the second day of the three-day “Exercise Patience”! Regional Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The morning session began at 9:20 a.m. and culminated with a talk preceding the baptism event. Another highlight of the convention’s second day was the first of a two-part prerecorded feature Bible drama.
“The Saturday program at our annual conventions is always a highlight of the three days,’” said Walter Sukkau, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “The significance of the baptism and the powerfully compelling drama in the afternoon make quite an impact on those attending.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world for more than 100 years prior to April 2020, when the organization canceled all their in-person events around the world. After resuming smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, the summer of 2023 marks the first time they gather at much larger regional events around the world. The conventions are 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.