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

Prior to 2019, summers in Estero were marked by Jehovah’s Witnesses filling hotels and restaurants as they attended their annual conventions at the Hertz Arena. In 2020, the pandemic interrupted that tradition in Estero 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 June 22, the Witnesses will bring that tradition back to Estero.

“Virtual conventions allowed us to stay safe and united through the pandemic, but nothing can replace being together with our friends and family in a large group setting” said Rudy Romero, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “We are excited to return to our peaceful and joyful fellowship at these large gatherings.”

Some 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention series. In the U.S. alone, more than 708 conventions will be held in 144 host cities. 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 beautiful quality that Christians desire to display in their daily lives,” Romero said. “We try our best to be patient with others, but the pressures of life can make this a daily challenge. Exploring this quality over these three days will allow us to see how it is possible to successfully cultivate patience and benefit from it in our lives!”

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.