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"People need encouragement and structure so they can develop life skills and economic empowerment," says Jakes. "We have to tell men how important it is to be a father to their kids because we are in the unfortunate situation where when a man divorces a wife, he sometimes divorces the children. Those issues are relevant to all people, but they are especially important in our community."

Much of his success, according to religious experts, is due to Jakes's ability to mix the secular with the spiritual, appealing to Christian conservatives as well as hip-hoppers. He also has mastered a preaching style that is tailored to his audience, whether it be women or men. His "Woman, Thou Art Loosed!" conference in 1999 drew 87,500 women to the Georgia Dome, breaking the attendance record previously held by Billy Graham. Mega Fest combined the preacher's trademark outreach to women (which was inspired by his wife Serita) with his ManPower men's conference, turning them into a family affair.

"He is drawing on people who have a lot more disposable income, and the fact that there are not a lot of vacation spots that market themselves to middle-class African American families. He pulled everything together to make a family vacation event that combined the imagery of a religious revival and the notion of a family reunion," says Nancy Eiesland, professor of sociology of religion at Emory University.

Audrey Woods of Tyler, Texas, saw Mega Fest as a good place for her family to get together last summer. Her daughter, son-in-law and grandson, from San Antonio, joined her there. "I wanted us to share a blessing and healing event and experience being in a large gathering with other Christians," says Woods. "I wasn't sure how he would pull it off, but everything went well."

In 2001, Time magazine featured Jakes's picture on its cover with the provocative question: "Is This Man the Next Billy Graham?" Though the secular media often compares him to Graham, Jakes has a unique style that combines the flavor of a fiery country preacher with that of a motivational speaker. He tackles issues facing many urban communities, such as black-on-black crime, absentee fathers, and spouse abuse. In Dallas, his church works with homeless people and prostitutes and has a thriving prison ministry.

With his varied interests, Jakes has become a true Renaissance man. He is a songwriter, a playwright, and performer. He has authored 30 best-selling books (including a novel), founded a record label, produced a Grammy award-winning album, and launched a theater and movie production company which last year released a critically acclaimed film version of his popular book and play Woman, Thou Art Loosed! Hollywood took notice when the movie went on to gross a respectable amount at the box office.

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