The GWCC will play host to Mega Fest one of the largest Christian events of the year Aug 36 2005 while being sued for religious descrimination by a Christian Minister



T. D. Jakes' Mega Fest brought over 140,000 attendees from around the World to the GWCC last year. The festival is expected to eclipse those numbers this week. In contrast to its image as a Christian friendly venue, the GWCC may be less friendly to its Christian employees.

On March 25, 2005 V. A. Petties a pastor and former employee filed a Civil Law suit against the GWCC Authority, alleging religious discrimination. Petties, the Pastor of a non-denominational congregation requested to be scheduled off to observe the Sabbath. The Authority allegedly denighed the request and terminated the Pastor.

The alleged discrimination took place in September 2003. On March 14, 2004 the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity found reasonable cause to believe that the GWCC unlawfully discriminated and retaliated against the Christian Minister. November 19, 2004 the U. S. Department of Justice issued Petties a notice of right to sue. These events led to the March 2005 filing of the Civil suit against the State of Georgia's own GWCC.

It is doubtful that the Christian organizers or attendees of Mega Fest are aware of the alleged discriminatory practices of their host facility and management. Given the competition between various State Convention Centers, one wonders how the State of Georgia's own GWCC could afford to risk discriminating against anyone. In a day when the rights of certain groups are being asserted and affirmed are Christian Rights being eroded in Georgia





The GWCC will play host to Mega Fest one of the largest Christian events of the year Aug 36 2005 while being sued for religious descrimination by a Christian Minister