Globally-Renowned Conference, Megafest, Takes a Sabbatical

Contact: Carolyn Miller, Renita Harris, The Potter's House, 214-333-6413

DALLAS, Oct. 26 /Standard Newswire/ -- Bishop T.D. Jakes and the Potter's House recently announced that the ministry will not host a MegaFest 2007 conference, take a year-long sabbatical, and offer the next MegaFest conference in 2008.

"We are working on a plan for MegaFest 2008 that will meet the needs of families around the world," says Bishop Jakes, founder of the global conference and 30,000-member Potter's House church in Dallas, Texas. "We've decided that given more time we can more effectively prepare for what we always believe are opportunities for God to move mightily. We will take a year-long sabbatical and strategically evaluate our focus for MegaFest 2008."

The location of MegaFest 2008 is yet undetermined, but the ministry confirms that in 2007 it will again host separate, more personal conferences for men and women. The For Men Only conference, which debuted in 2006, will be held March 28 to 31, 2007. Bishop Jakes and his wife, Serita, will both host the first-ever For Ladies Only conference Oct. 17 to 20, 2007. The conferences will allow them the opportunity to speak and teach more intimately into the lives of conference attendees. Both conferences are scheduled to take place at the luxurious Gaylord Texas Resort in Grapevine, Texas. More details will be made available as they are confirmed.

Bishop Jakes emphasizes his appreciation to the city of Atlanta. "Mayor Shirley Franklin and the citizens of Atlanta," says Bishop Jakes, "as well as the city's government, Georgia Dome, Georgia World Congress Center, Philips Arena, MARTA, the Convention and Visitors' Bureau officials, hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues were gracious hosts. Over the years, they have all worked in tandem and beyond our most ambitious expectations to make our conference attendees feel welcome. On behalf of the Potter's House church family, our partners, staff and friends, we extend our sincerest gratitude to the great city of Atlanta."

About Bishop T.D. Jakes and the Potter's House of Dallas:

A globally recognized church of more than 30,000 members located in Dallas, Texas, the Potter's House strives to be the Voice and the Hand that encourages people of all creeds and cultures to change their lives with hope, comfort and peace. The church is led by Bishop T.D. Jakes, twice featured on the cover of Time magazine as "America's Best Preacher" and one of this nation's "25 most influential evangelicals."

About MegaFest

MegaFest, a positive, family friendly event that offers a wide variety of opportunities for growth, empowerment and wholesome fun, combines Bishop Jakes' signature conferences -- Woman, Thou Art Loosed! and ManPower -- with the high-energy Mega Youth Experience and MegaKidz. Bishop and Mrs. Jakes first broke the Georgia Dome attendance record in 1999 when more than 84,000 people attended their Woman, Thou Art Loosed! conference. In 2005 they were honored by Georgia Dome officials for breaking their 1999 record during MegaFest 2004 when more than 140,000 people attended a single service and over the four-day period the couple hosted 560,000 men, women, young adults and children.