MegaFest 2006 Draws Tens of Thousands and There’s More MegaFest on the Way

Aug. 6: Crowd-Pleasing MegaFest Concert Airs on Pay-Per-View with Proceeds Donated to Emergency Relief Fund

ATLANTA, July 22, 2006—From brightly-colored, gamed-filled, kid-friendly MegaLand, and adult-oriented, advice-packed workshops covering topics like finance and health, to concerts for all ages featuring music's superstars and future stars-MegaFest 2006 truly did offer something for everyone, which is exactly what Bishop T.D.  Jakes had in mind when he created it.

"MegaFest celebrates the fact that we can be spiritual and enjoy the opportunity to laugh and learn, and listen to great music," said Bishop Jakes.

Four days designed to motivate, educate, entertain, and inspire combined the best of Jakes' most powerful conferences and innovative events-Woman, Thou Art Loosed! and ManPower-with the high-energy Mega Youth Experience and MegaKidz.

MegaFest 2006 was particularly special for Bishop Jakes, who celebrated 30 years in ministry.  Thursday night's Celebration of Unity Concert at the Georgia Dome helped commemorate that career milestone and included performances by Aretha Franklin and top gospel music stars. They shared the stage with special guests, including actor Will Smith, former NFL greats Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith, who were there to help honor the work of Bishop Jakes. Former president Bill Clinton also shared a taped message of congratulations.

Bishop Jakes also devoted time to speak directly to the youth. On the final day of MegaFest 2006, he shared some of his personal stories about the pain and frustration he struggled with when he was a teenager-and encouraged them to remember that what they may be enduring right now does not define their future.

"I'm telling you the story does not end now. The best is yet to come," said Bishop Jakes. "I believe in you, I believe in your dreams, I believe in your potential. I believe you can do anything you want to with your lives."

Among the other highlights of MegaFest 2006:

STAR-STUDDED CONCERTS

• Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin was joined by Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Jeff Majors, Kelly Price, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong for the Celebration of Unity Concert.

• The youth-oriented You're Not Forgotten concert included performances by Tye Tribbett, iroCc Williams, and Kim Burrell, and 21:03.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEGAFEST BENEFIT CONCERT ON PAY-PER-VIEW
For those who missed the Celebration of Unity Concert, or who enjoyed the concert so much they want to see it again, they'll get their chance on Sunday, Aug. 6, when the concert airs as "Let It Flow," an EVENTS iN DEMAND pay-per-view television broadcast that will both entertain and serve as an opportunity to reach out to people in need through The Potter's House Emergency Relief Fund.

TOP NAMES FROM THE WORLDS OF FAITH, ENTERTAINMENT, AND BUSINESS

• Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of The Potter's House, a 30,000-member church in Dallas., who has been recognized by TIME magazine as "America's Best Preacher" and one of the "Most Influential Evangelicals" in the United States.

• Financial expert Dave Ramsey, host of a nationally-syndicated radio show and best-selling author of The Total Money Makeover

• Popular comedians Steve Harvey and Tommy Davidson

• Susan L. Taylor, editorial director of ESSENCE magazine, author, and popular speaker

GOSPEL TALENT COMPETITION
Kraft's 3rd Annual Gospel Talent Search culminated at MegaFest, where finalists in the nationwide competition were judged by the Grammy-winning duo Mary Mary.  Charlotte Embry won the title-and $25,000.

HEALTH PAVILION AND EXPO
MegaFest 2006 shared an increased commitment to the health of the conference attendees by offering free health and wellness testing, health-related video screenings, and interesting, interactive workshops. 

BUSINESS BENEFITS
Tens of thousands of people spending a week in Atlanta means big business for the city's tourist trade as MegaFest attendees filled local hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

PRISON OUTREACH
MegaFest once again shared its message of hope and encouragement with prison inmates, using satellite technology to broadcast live into several hundred correctional facilities across the United States.  "Encouragement can reach behind any prison wall and into any cell," said Bishop Jakes.

INTERNATIONAL IMPACT
MegaFest 2006 was truly an international event, drawing participants from more than 50 countries including England, Jamaica, Switzerland, Australia, and from across the continent of Africa. Several events were conducted in Spanish and most were interpreted in both Spanish and French.

CORPORATE SPONSORS
MegaFest 2006 is supported in part by: The Coca-Cola Company, The Clorox Company (The Makers of Pine-Sol® Cleaner and Clorox® Regular-Bleach), Delta Air Lines, Gospel Today Magazine, Bank of America, Office of Minority Health, ï€ Kraft Foods, General Mills, SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

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