HISTORY

ShareFest was birthed in Little Rock , AR. The story is told by the pastor of Fellowship Bible Church , Robert Lewis, in his book The Church of Irresistible Influence . The ShareFest model offers encouragement for churches to touch the needs of their communities with tangible acts of service.

In Little Rock's last five years of ShareFest over $1 million of manpower and materials have been invested in refurbishing over 40 public schools, as well as many neighborhoods, homes, and public buildings. Nearly $700,000 has been collected and shared with over 20 non-profit organizations that have a proven track record of meeting the community's deepest needs.

ShareFest has been replicated in 16 other cities in 12 states
(see www.sharefest.com ).

Different names have been used— Sharefest, Carefest, Make a Difference Day, A Time to Serve, Unite!, Compassion in Action , etc.—but the ingredients are similar—coordinated service workdays, material donations for the needy, financial gifts for worthy causes and cross-denominational, cross-cultural celebrations of worship and praise.