MegaFest to Return Bigger, Global in 2008
One of America's largest Christian events is returning this year on a bigger scale after taking a one year hiatus.
Bishop T.D. Jakes and his Dallas-based megachurch, The Potter's House, recently announced the return dates of MegaFest – the two-day, family-oriented fellowship event – that will for the first time be held overseas.
MegaFest International, which launched in Atlanta in 2004, will be held Oct. 11-12 at the Expo Center (NASREC) in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Expo Center is South Africa's largest exhibition, conference and event site.
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"At the previous MegaFest events, we had people attend from all over the world, all ethnicities, all religions; so many different cultures were in the room. As I looked out, the feel was so much more aligned to an international event, than a U.S.-specific event," Jakes explained about the event's international shift.
"I believe the true purpose of the ministry is to go beyond the traditional walls and minister to the world," the popular American pastor said. "MegaFest International provides us with that platform."
In addition to traditional MegaFest activities, this year's event will include African excursions, health and wellness events, and opportunities to learn about the rich heritage of South Africa.
MegaFest launched in 2004 at the Georgia World Congress Center as an experience for the entire family, featuring concerts, seminars, and speakers. The inaugural event drew an overall record-breaking attendance of 560,000 and had an economic impact on the city of up to $125 million. The highly successful festival returned to Atlanta the following two years but attendance fell.
A 2007 MegaFest was cancelled and initially the 2008 event was also announced cancelled last fall.
Since 2004, MegaFest has reached more than 700,000 people from around the world. The Christian event was created by Jakes as a festival for fellowship, spiritual rejuvenation and personal growth. MegaFest combines Jakes' popular conferences for men and women with youth events, live concerts and activities for the entire family.
The Potter's House is one of the largest churches in America with more than 30,000 members. The Church is led by Bishop T.D. Jakes, who was twice featured in Time magazine as "America's Best Preacher" and one of the nation's "25 most influential evangelicals."
On the Web: www.mega-fest.com
