Some churches will paint schools. Others will offer literacy programs. And others will feed and house the homeless.

Organizers are calling it "A Season of Service," a community outreach effort likely to affect every part of the region over the next few months.

During that time, thousands of church members will fan out across the Sacramento area to perform community volunteer projects, both large and small. The campaign kicked off Sunday night and will culminate in June at the largest spiritual revival in the area in more than two decades.

Organizers anticipate 350 to 400 churches will participate in the Luis Palau Sacramento Festival. The two-day event has a $1.3 million budget and will be held at Cal Expo on June 16-17.

About 175,000 people are expected to attend – making it the largest Christian gathering in the area since the Billy Graham crusade came to Sacramento in 1995.

"This will be bigger. In all my years here, I have never seen this kind of unity among churches," said the Rev. Henry Wells, pastor emeritus of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church. "They all want to be a part of this because it's not just a crusade. People are really excited about the Season of Service. That's what makes this different."

More than 200 Sacramento-area church leaders gathered Sunday night at Capital Christian Center to launch the effort. Pastors from churches with thousands of members, as well as those who lead congregations of fewer than 100, met to hear organizers discuss how to reach the community by volunteering. Mayor Kevin Johnson officially launched the campaign by reading a proclamation and spoke of rallying government, church and business leaders with a goal of working together.

"Really, it's all about acts of kindness in the community," said the Rev. Earl Heverly of Cornerstone Community Church in Sacramento. His church, like many, will work in the schools by providing tutors for students, as well as books for parents.

Rick Cole, pastor of Capital Christian Center, said his church has 800 volunteers who will do everything from working with the homeless to neighborhood revitalization projects. "It's all about relationships and doing what people need to be done," Cole said.

Church leaders looking for projects to do – as well as those who would like work done – can sign up at the organization's website, www.sacramentofestival.com.

"Our goal is to have 400 to 500 projects completed by June," said Craig Chastain, festival communications director. "The plan is to continue the project after the festival."

Wells said the community's efforts are a way for others to see Christians in a positive light. "With all the political and social stuff that's going on, everyone knows what we're against. This is our chance to show what we are for," he said.

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