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An estimated 300,000 men gathered on a farm belonging to South African farmer/evangelist, Angus Buchan over the past weekend. It was probably one of the largest gatherings of men for a Christian event ever. Some came from as far afield at Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Angus Buchan is a farmer turned evangelist who exhorts people to trust God for the impossible, drawing on his personal experience of the miraculous. The author of the book, "Faith Like Potatoes", now also a movie, says he has seen God intervene in his life many times. Buchan says his farm was once saved from a raging bushfire by his family's fervent prayers for rain; that he has seen a farm worker raised from the dead, after she was struck by lightning, and that God has come through for him with a miracle crop of potatoes in the face of the severest drought
Crowd Estimates
Buchan refused to comment on the numbers attending the conference. He referred to the Biblical story of David who commissioned a census out of pride and was later punished. He determined not to fall into the same trap. However he was prepared to say it was the largest gathering of Christian men in the world as far as he knew. He added, "There is no stadium in the world that could hold this number of men." Pastor Bruce Winship, official spokesman for the conference earlier declined to give any official estimates of the crowd other that to say that this years number far exceeded that of last year when 150,000 men were present.
There was no sign of racism in the previously racially segregated apartheid dominated South Africa. Blacks, Whites, asians and mixed race men were united in their religious fervour. This event comes as a timely precursor to the international scrutiny that South Africa will receive for the upcoming FIFA 2010 world cup.
About 60 planes crowded out the small airport a few miles from the Conference gathering. Whilst lines of cars stretched for miles as they approached the farm. The tent village erected for the conference stretched over 3 million square meters on three farms. Following the dramatic scenes last year when he collapsed with a suspected heart attack and had to be airlifted to a local hospital, Buchan demonstrated his fitness by jumping up and down and doing several press-ups and declaring, "Do I look sick?"
Message Of Hope
The weekend's messages largely followed the theme of preparing men to go out and carry the message of hope. Buchan also spoke on the need to listen to God. He recognized the business of their lives but he urged the men to be still and listen to God. He then let the men sit in complete silence for five minutes so they could come to a stop and listen to God. He spoke of the fear for the nation's future, "Don't run away from South Africa," he thundered, "Your problems will follow you wherever you go." On several occasions Buchan called on the men to be true men and not wimps. He said Christian men must take lead in their homes and families. They must place Christ at the head of their homes and places of work. Like Joshua of old they must declare, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." He further stated that men would never be able to be spiritual leaders in their homes if they themselves have not put their own lives in order.
Buchan warned against negative talk and attitude towards the situation in South Africa. "I believe our nation will change. I see new South Africa, a land of peace and tranquility," he said. He called on the men to confess their sins and to live for God without reservation. "God is here not to judge you but to give you a second chance. Responses Inevitably there were critics who questioned his motives and his message. But one of South Africa's most experienced and respected evangelists and Christian leaders, Rev Michael Cassidy, said he had never experienced any gathering to equal that of the Mighty Men conference. Cassidy who is the founder and Director of Africa Enterprise has led mass evangelistic efforts throughout Africa and other parts of the world. "But nothing we have seen in Africa comes anywhere close to this unique gathering of men," he said. "This gathering offers a challenge for church leaders to get back to the simple Biblical message of the gospel which has been lost in many churches. Angus Buchan's message touches a nerve because there is a great spiritual hunger in the land."
Future Plans
Buchan has gained the reputation as South Africa's Billy Graham. He was nostalgic over what has been accomplished over the past seven years and the impact on men around the nation. "When I began seven years ago people asked me, Why do you call it "Mighty Men"? Aren't Christians supposed to be meek and humble? "I told them we are humble, but we are also strong in the Lord. We must hold our heads up high and boldy walk in God's way." Buchan announced that in the future many more such conferences would be held regionally in South Africa as well as in far away places such as Pakistan, India, Australia, the USA and Canada. Buchan called on his audience to become a mighty army that would carry the message far and wide.
For additional information about involvement of men of faith in South Africa in current and upcoming events go to: theultimategoal.co.za
Nico Bougas is the International Coordinator of Hellenic Ministries. (www.hellenicministries.com). He has a master's degree in communication from Wheaton Graduate School and M. Div and D. Min degrees from Trinity Theological Seminary. He is the author or co-author of four books the most recent being, "New Every Morning" and "Champions for Christ." He previously worked for Youth for Christ in South Africa and was Editor of In Magazine and Christian Living TODAY and is the Literature Director for Sports Outreach Africa.
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