Just a few years ago, the idea of an event like ShareFest was only a dream among a small group of pastors in Central Arkansas who desperately wanted to find a way for the church to demonstrate with their actions what we have been declaring with our words. It was this conviction, that we needed to provide proof of the gospel not just proclamation, which provided the biblical and philosophical foundation. Now, ShareFest has become a bridge from the church to the community. A living, breathing bridge constructed of people from over 100 other churches that have begun to understand that when it comes to sharing God’s love…actions speak much louder than words. How did we get to that place?

In January 1998, thirty-one pastors, representing diverse backgrounds and denominational traditions, traveled to Ozark Conference Center for a four-day Pastors’ Prayer Summit. As they worshipped and prayed together, they experienced a deeper brokenness, repentance, and humility before God. Relationships were reconciled and strengthened. It was out of these new relationships, a new conviction, and a fresh move of God’s Spirit, the first ShareFest was birthed in November 1999. It was a vision to unite together in a strategic and visible demonstration of Christ’s love for our community through a joint service and worship event.

In a transforming moment at the first ShareFest Celebration, pastors from many denominations stood together before the 6,000 people at Alltel Arena and offered a public prayer of confession and commitment. We confessed how our jealousy, pride, disunity, and prayerlessness had hindered our effectiveness in loving our community and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. We made a fresh commitment to promote unity, to pray, and to serve.

Since that first year, ShareFest has grown beyond a once-a-year service event. It has truly become the catalyst that has helped many churches connect with their communities and to become more outwardly focused throughout the year. New relationships have been established between churches, schools, community leaders, and non-profit organizations. This simple idea of uniting together with other churches to demonstrate the love of Christ is now spreading to many ShareFest Cities all across the country.

The Impact of ShareFest in Central Arkansas

ShareFest is an annual event uniting approximately 100 churches in the greater Little Rock area to demonstrate the love of Christ through tangible acts of service. The weekend event includes a blood drive, a community service workday on Saturday, an ingathering of donated items (food, coats, etc.), and a community-wide celebration on a Sunday evening.

Since ShareFest began in 1999:

• Nearly two million dollars in manpower and materials at 229 worksites have been invested to refurbish public schools, neighborhoods, homes and public buildings.
  

• Over a million dollars in cash donations have been collected for non-profit organizations throughout Arkansas.
  

• 4,000 units of blood have been donated to the American Red Cross.
  

• Almost 3,000 people signed up as organ donors.
  

• 100,000 meals have been provided through the food drives.
  

• 8,700 toys and 16,500 coats have been collected.
  

Not only has ShareFest been a model for other communities in Arkansas and cities across the country including Charlotte, NC, Los Angeles, CA and Chicago, IL, but ShareFest has now spread to Brazil and Australia.

Perhaps most importantly, ShareFest has led to the development of thousands of relationships that continue to bless our community year around.