T.D. Jakes to Take Popular MegaFest to Africa
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Bishop T.D. Jakes is taking his record-setting MegaFest event overseas to South Africa next year, according to an announcement made by the megachurch pastor Wednesday.
After a yearlong hiatus, MegaFest – the hugely popular family-friendly festival that has drawn hundreds of thousands of people to Atlanta – will return in October 2008, this time as MegaFest International.
"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," said Jakes, senior pastor of The Potter's House in Dallas. "As I looked out, the feel was so much more aligned to an international event than a U.S.-specific event."
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 along with plans for a 2008 event until Wednesday's public announcement.
"I am so excited about the return of MegaFest and the fact that it will be in South Africa, makes it that much more special," Jakes said in a statement.
Earlier reports revealed possible plans of taking MegaFest to Dallas where his support base is, but Jakes mentioned to The Dallas Morning News that they have not been able to overcome the "logistical issues" of holding the event in that city.
Jakes also clarified that the ministry's decision to not return to the festival's original launch site "does not in any way reflect negatively on Atlanta."
"I believe the true purpose of the ministry is to go beyond your traditional walls and minister to the world," he said in Wednesday's statement. "MegaFest International provides us with that platform."
MegaFest International is scheduled for Oct. 11-12 and is part of an 11-day tour across South Africa.
Jakes is featured this year as one of the top 25 most influential African Americans in Essence magazine, a prominent monthly publication geared toward young African-American women. The Pentecostal preacher leads more than 30,000 members at The Potter's House and recently published his newest book, Reposition Yourself: Living Life without Limits .
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- First, Mr. Jakes is a proven Oneness Pentecostal. In other words, he DENIES that within the nature of the one true and living God, there are three co-equal and co-eternal Persons existing simultaneously (God the Father; God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).
When Mr. Jakes speaks of the nature of God he expresses the view of Oneness Pentecostalism (aka Jesus Only) which teaches that:
There is but one person who is God who acted in three separate manifestations (aka modes). In the Old Testament they say he acted as Father; in the New Testament he was the Son - Jesus, and now he is acting as Holy Spirit. Not three persons, but one person acting in three different ways or roles.
The following is taken DIRECTLY from the Belief Statement of The Potter’s House where Jakes is pastor:
“God--There is one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three manifestations: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
This teaching is not simply un-Biblical; it has been condemned as heresy by the Christian Church around 220 AD.
Mr. Jakes was even ordained in a Oneness Pentecostal Church (Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church)
- Second, Mr. Jakes’ teaching is focused on the Word of Faith or “Prosperity Gospel”. This theology puts excessive emphasis using faith to gain material wealth and prosperity. He is often seen on TBN claiming that if viewers “sow a seed” into TBN, they will receive material blessings in return.
made millions through registration and serving sandiwiches and made more money.
When it comes to the nitty-gritty, most of the big religious seminars are simply for a wholesome
fun and making money for the preachers and his or her organization. To a serious question,
how may lives were changed for good by knowing JESUS CHRIST as their Lord and Saviour;
the answer is " zero"
I was appalled to see that T. D. Jakes would ask unbelievers to come "teach" believers how to "prosper". How desperately we need the mercy and wisdom of God.
A 2007 MegaFest was cancelled along with plans for a 2008 event until Wednesday's public announcement.
MegaFest? Is it about God's word or about financial gain? If there were only 15 people attending to hear the Word of God, it still would be a success. The Bible says all of heaven rejoices at one sinner returning to God. God doesn't care about how many come to the church or preaching of the word; He care about how many are saved. MegaFest appears to have a different message than follow God. It seems to be how much can I make.