Tens of thousands of men, women, and children from across America and around the world are expected to gather in Atlanta June 23-26 for Mega Fest, a large-scale event to bridge gaps between gender, generations, religious denominations, races, and ethnicities. Over four days, four of Atlanta’s world-class venues will be filled in “a religious event unlike anything this country has seen,” according to Mega Fest’s Bishop T.D. Jakes.
“We are challenging men, women, and youth to boldly go where they’ve never gone before spiritually, mentally, economically, and emotionally—going higher in 2004,” expressed Jakes when asked what attendees should expect at Mega Fest.
Jakes, called “America’s Best Preacher” by TIME magazine and the 2004 recipient of the NAACP President’s Award, will be presenting “power-packed message of hope with the goal of building the family of God”. Jakes stated, “Never before has one Christian conference focused attention on the individual spiritual needs of each family member—mom, dad, and child.”
From more than 40 countries, tens of thousands of people will be filling the seats of the Georgia Dome, the Georgia World Congress Center, the Philips Arena, and the International Plaza simultaneously with additional audiences in Cape Town, South Africa; Adelaide, Australia; and Nairobi, Kenya who will join the event in international “talkbacks” (live dialogue). Mega Fest will be broadcasted live in three languages—English, Spanish, and French—and also simulcast portions of the program to more than 400 prisons nationwide.
Mega Fest incorporates numerous special events and workshops for the entire family, as well as three major conferences: the ManPower conference which have drawn more than 150,000 men since its inception in 1993; the Woman, Thou Art Loosed conference which have drawn more than 500,000 women since 1992 and broke national attendance records with more than 85,000 women in Atlanta in 1999. And the Youth 3D Experience which is thousands of youth (ages 5-19) from around the world are expected to join.
Jakes, who is also the founder and senior pastor of one of America’s fastest growing churches will be joined by other world renowned speakers including Bishop Noel Jones, senior pastor of City of Refuge Church, Joyce Meyer, nationally syndicated television minister, and Co-Pastor Paula White of Without Walls Church.
In addition to the messages, Mega Fest will also feature a Magic Johnson Celebrity Basketball Exhibition with athletes such as Avery Johnson, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, and more; “Universoul Circus—Hip Hop Under the Big top”; and a Family Expo with Live Entertainment and Empowering Seminars.
According to a news release made by The Potter’s House, Atlanta has not experienced an international event of this magnitude since the 1996 Summer Games. But this summer, “it’s not about pursuing ‘gold’. It’s about pursuing God.”
