Jehovah's Witness convention theme this year is "Be Courageous"

THe conference used to be held over one weekend, however growing numbers have seen the same conference split.

Members from congregations from northern NSW and southern Queensland attending this weekend, before congregations from Tamworth and Armidale and as far west as Wellington and Bourke will attend next weekend.

This year the theme is ‘Be Courageous’, with media officer Peter Hyde suggesting the drought may play a large role in the teachings.

“The drought for example, if you know it is going to rain at some stage and that things will eventually change it gives you hope, and that hope can turn into courage,” he said.

Each three day conference will see 60 different talks from a variety of special guests and congregation leaders, or circuit overseers, as well as some “reenactments, practical examples and videos looking at specific areas” of the faith.

While the conferences aren’t quite pilgrimages they are “something we are encouraged to do”.

Based on the teachings that Jehovah instructed all Israelite men to meet in Jerusalem three times a year, congregations are also encouraged to meet three times a year at conventions such as the Tamworth event. 

“We generally attend two smaller local conferences, and then one big one in the cities, or in central places like Tamworth,” Mr Hyde said.

“The TRECC and accommodation are great and council look after us well.”