Jehovah’s Witnesses to Hold Three-Day Conventions at H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas

The Jehovah’s Witnesses will resume hosting their summer conventions in the Austin area for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with two events at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park. The first, in English, runs Friday through Sunday, and the second, in Spanish, is set for July 7-9. Both are free and open to the public, with programs starting around 9 a.m. and ending before 5 p.m. each day, a practical form of sharing what one has (Hebrews 13:16).

The denomination was founded in the late 19th century and bases its beliefs on the Bible. Spokesman Noe Moreno said the group picked the H-E-B Center at 2100 Avenue of the Stars for the first time because it needed a larger venue. In 2019, the convention was held at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, which Moreno said was too small. Other congregations have met at the Belton Exposition Center, which will also host an event this year.

Moreno said the Cedar Park conventions are two of 708 being held in the United States this summer, in 144 cities and 35 languages. About 6,000 people are expected at each Cedar Park convention, from congregations ranging from Kyle to Georgetown. The source reports an estimated 90,145 members in Texas, 1.2 million in the United States and 8.7 million worldwide.

The theme this year is “Exercise Patience.” The program will include talks based on the Bible about how to exercise patience, as well as singing, baptisms and a movie.

Members worship one God, whose name is Jehovah, and believe Jesus is the son of God. Moreno said the group views first-century Christianity, as detailed in the Greek scriptures (New Testament), as its model, and believes that living by Bible principles draws a person closer to God, promotes strong family ties, and develops productive and honest citizens. Other beliefs include that 144,000 people, chosen by a Holy Spirit, will go to heaven, and that the rest of the believers will be resurrected on Earth. The group does not believe in blood transfusions or military service.

Moreno said there will be no door-to-door visits at the conventions, because the focus will be on receiving instruction. Members often do visit people’s homes, he said, “in keeping with the Bible commandment of going and preaching the good news of the kingdom.”

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