JOHANNESBURG, South Africa,  /Christian Newswire/ -- South African and international audiences welcome Bishop T.D. Jakes during MegaFest International's electrifying gathering, which for the first time is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The two-day family-friendly festival kicked off with performances by South Africa's own multi-award- winning ensemble Joyous Celebration and GRAMMY ® award-winning artist Yolanda Adams. Following the MegaFest prelude, Bishop T.D. Jakes founder and senior pastor of The Potter's House church in Dallas, took the stage delivering a soul-stirring message, encouraging the thousands of attendees to change, grow and progress.

"It was marvelous," said Junia Makgoba of Benoni, Johannesburg, South Africa, of Bishop Jakes' message. "It made you want to have more of this festival. It was inspiring and motivating."

Vanessa Rivers, who traveled from Paterson, N.J., echoed Makgoba's take of the event. "The service was great," Rivers said. "It goes right in the flow of change. That's what God is doing... we're changing to be spiritually minded and we're stepping up to do what we're supposed to do on the earth. Holding MegaFest in South Africa is an example of what God is doing - bringing cultures together, creating unity."

Other highlights of today's events included the MegaCARE Health Fair, which provided general health screenings and physicals to the people of South Africa. During the first two hours of the festival, MegaCARE physicians provided more than 500 general wellness checks and HIV screenings.

MegaFest International is the most public event associated with T.D. Jakes Ministries' philanthropic initiatives in South Africa that have also included providing clean water, houses and a center for children. In addition, students from Clay Academy, the private Christian school affiliated with The Potter's House, participated in an educational exchange with South African students.

For more information about MegaFest International, visit www.Mega-Fest.com.

About MegaFest International:
Since its 2004 inception, MegaFest has been recognized as one of the largest religious gatherings in the United States and has reached more than 700,000 people from around the world. Created by Bishop Jakes as a festival for fellowship, spiritual rejuvenation and personal growth, MegaFest combines Bishop Jakes' most successful conferences for men and women pairing them with youth events, live concerts and activities for the entire family. Please visit www.ThePottersHouse.org as well as www.Mega-Fest.com for more information.