If you don’t believe you are simply a market to these bozos, let me point something out to you. Here is the appeal to advertisers (sponsors) for The ‘Mess 2006. Read it carefully. The original is here

On July 19-22, 2006, we will host our third annual MegaFest event in Atlanta, Georgia.

This event blends two separately successful nationally branded events (Woman, Thou Art Loosed and Man Power) that began in 1992 under the highly regarded T.D. Jakes brand. MegaFest also includes two youth components: MegaLand for children ages 5-12, and the MegaYouth Experience component for ages 13-21. T.D. Jakes branded-events have set attendance and economic records around the country including breaking the single event attendance record of 90,000 at the Georgia Dome. Previous T.D. Jakes branded events in Atlanta have grossed over $500,000 million for the local economy over the past three-years. The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau stated that the amount was significantly more than the past three Atlanta-based Super Bowl events that totaled just $250 million.

This high-profile four-day, three-night festival receives national attention and will feature something for the entire family including: indoor/outdoor entertainment by Grammy award winning artists, comedy, spiritual enrichment, a separate youth, women’s and men’s component, a Celebrity breakfast, a Celebrity Golf tournament, sports and recreational activities, and a series of seminars and workshops that cover personal finance, relationships, home ownership, health and nutrition, and much, much more!

Our inaugural event attracted over 140,000 attendees daily from a multicultural audience that included families of with various incomes, over 20,000 teenagers and children, professionals, entrepreneurs, and a strong group of upwardly mobile and affluent individuals.

Are you ready to be a part of the MegaFest Experience???

I should point out that the terms he uses are those of the marketing world. Notice he refers to “Woman, Thou Art Loosed” and “ManPower” as national brandings. I thought these were spiritual events that will change your life forever. Now I come to find out they are national brandings.

He speaks of his activities, when talking to the advertisers, not as an anointed ministry. That’s the phraseology he uses when he’s talking to the marks. No, in actuality, according to Jakes, his “ministry” is a branding.

He goes on to describe the marketing accomplishments of the past MessMess conventions.

1. They grossed over $500 million for the local area
2. They broke the single event attendance record for the Georgia Dome
3. Features Grammy winning entertainment
4. Features a celebrity breakfast and golf tournament
5. Attracted 140,000 people the first time
6. Attracted 20,000 teens
7. Attracts affluent and upwardly mobile individuals
8. It receives nation attention

One of my favorite political commentators has said that if you want to know the motivation a person has for doing something, just follow the money. This little love letter to the potential sponsors seems to provide a really good money trail. You can say “It costs money to put on a quality program.’” But what, exactly, is the program when you have people whose behavior is indistinguishable from the unsaved, teaching, preaching, and entertaining?

I can almost picture T. Dexter in the role of jungle guide, directing the big game hunters to the herd of elephants. Instead actually ministering to the alleged saints, T. Dexter is gathering them all in one place, crying Havoc, and letting loose the dogs of commerce. (I always wanted to use that phrase in a sentence.)

I’ve told you time and again that T. Dexter, John Jenkins, and the rest do not see you as a ministry. They simply see you as a market and a stepping stone. Aren’t you tired of being stepped on?

Posted by Melvin Jones on Monday, July 10th, 2006 at 11:34 am.