For 124 years, Jehovah’s Witnesses have had a history of large conventions in Philadelphia. This year 3,300 delegates from 28 countries will join local residents for a large three-day event with the theme “Declare the Good News!” to be held Aug. 2–4.
Beginning with 400 attendees at St. George’s Hall in 1900, the Christian organization has hosted hundreds of thousands of attendees at various convention venues in Philadelphia including Connie Mack Stadium, Veterans Stadium and The Liacouras Center at Temple University.
“Generations of Philadelphians have benefited from these conventions,” said Perry Allen, regional spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “The City of Brotherly Love will long be remembered by Jehovah’s Witnesses for hosting these programs of Bible-based instruction and for being the site where we have forged lasting friendships. This year, thousands of local Jehovah’s Witnesses are inviting our neighbors to the convention and welcoming international delegates too.”
New Jersey resident Calvin Miller recalled the lasting impact the 1971 convention had on his family.
“We hosted a family from York, Pennsylvania, in our home,” he said. “Even though we didn’t know them when the convention started, we became lifelong friends. I’m thrilled that my children and grandchildren get the chance to benefit from attending and extending hospitality to visitors once again in Philadelphia.”
As one of the largest convention organizations in the world, Jehovah’s Witnesses welcomed nearly 13 million to 6,000 conventions worldwide in 2023. In a world where bad news endlessly streams on social media, TV and radio, the free event will provide a program of comfort and encouragement.
In Philadelphia, the program is expected to draw up to 20,000 attendees, fueling the city’s economy with local spending at stores, hotels and restaurants.
The “Declare the Good News!” convention will present Bible-based videos, discourses and interviews on topics such as:
• Why Do We Need Good News?
• Use Good News to Defeat Bad News
• Why We Don’t Fear Bad News
Saturday features a baptism of candidates from surrounding communities, while a two-part video feature will captivate the audience on Friday and Saturday mornings. Prior to the convention, local congregations are engaging in a campaign to invite community members to this free event.
For more information, go to jw.org.
JEHOVAH’S TRUTH ABOUNDS AND WE HAVE HIS PROMISE THAT WE WILL LIVE FOREVER REVALATION 21:3-4
all of this is very exciting I wish my congregation was picked to host the delegates but I have to be obedient and not attend but I am looking forward to hear all about from those who attend
I don’t understand your comment. People are being invited from around the world and the public is invited. How can you demonstrate obedience by noNOT attending?
My congregation, Wayne pa,hosted 25 delegates fron Gr Britain, Den Mark,Canada and other countries at Conshohocken fire Co in their Ball room. IT WAS beautiful and fantastic.Great food,music,dancing and getting to know our brothers and sister from different parts of the world.What unity!!!love abound,the way our God JEHOVAH has plans inthe near future,what good news we have to share.
As a member of the faith, I thank you for covering our story in such a dignified and informed way!
Why are you not allowed to attend?
Aren’t there delegates from around the world?
Isn’t the public invited?
Why not you?
Because the stadium can only hold so many people. In order to keep things orderly, because our God Jehovah is a God of order, there were limited number of congregations that were invited to share in this special convention – and there was no special order or favoritism to how they were picked. Everyone of Jehovah’s Witnesses however attended their own convention to which the entire public was welcome. Hope this response makes sense!
Thank you for this fabulous article on the Convention in Philadelphia now live in Eastman, Georgia and attended by steamline this 2024 Regional Convention that was held in Macon, Georgia Paul Beerwort of Eastman, Georgia
Wonderful weekend. No better place to be. We are family!
FABULOUS PROGRAM !! JEHOVAH GOD LOVES MANKIND !!! jw.org has a lot of information ! Thanks. PRAISE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER !!!