The message
Over three days, Angus Buchan shared God’s message with some 60 000 men who attended the 2008 conference on his Shalom Farm near Greytown in KwaZulu-Natal.The theme this year was “Dying to Live” and by that Angus hoped his audience would learn to discard their sins, fears and other earthly challenges, to live in a Christian way that guarantees peace both on earth and in Heaven.
The core message coming from Angus was that men should regain their rightful place in the home, not through abuse, but by being respectful, responsible, forgiving, firm, fair and kind. He said the key by which men could achieve this was to rid themselves of pride and arrogance. “One of the worst affronts to God is pride,” explained Angus. “Don’t expect to please God by living life your way and on your terms. Men must let pride die and begin to live in humility. If we in South Africa and the rest of the world start to humble ourselves now, there will be changes for the good.” He added that seeking an eye for an eye was not the way to deal with farm attacks and other violence.
He warned proud Christians that they were at risk of pushing non-Christians away. “There is nothing wrong with being a fool for God,” he said. “Your outlook on life, which may seem very bleak at the moment, will improve dramatically if you allow your family, friends, colleagues, employees and especially God to support you. Pride can destroy lucrative farming businesses. Can you afford to wait before you swallow your pride? Will your family and farm business be able to weather your pride? There are enough men at the Mighty Men’s Conference 2008 to change the destiny of this country, if these men are all willing to leave their pride behind.”
Angus often asked questions or passed on instructions from God that made many men feel uncomfortable and humbled. However, he always followed up with words of encouragement that gave hope for the future.
Angus reminded all the men, especially farmers, that he was one of them and suffered many of the same hardships and challenges. He has set the example that men who follow God’s word and called on Him for help during times of trouble would be empowered to overcome their troubles. “We must pray for the situation in Zimbabwe,” Angus told his audience. “The current leaders of that country have let their pride get the better of them and that arrogance is going to be their downfall. We must pray that the new leaders of that country are led by God’s wisdom.”
The tent
The Mighty Men’s Conference 2008 was held in one of the world’s biggest marquees (top right), covering an area the size of three rugby fields and capable of holding 30 000 men.It is only the second time ever that particular marquee has been put up in its entirety. It was brought to Shalom Farm from Gauteng by nine articulated vehicles and took three weeks to erect.
Before the marquee could be put up, geologists were called in to make sure that Shalom Farm’s soil structure could hold the marquee’s pegs, cables and poles, and combined mass. The marquee is made from 200t of canvas and measures 187m by 115m wide, and is held together by 10km of steel wire. Despite the massive capacity of the marquee, it simply couldn’t hold the eventual 60 000 men. The remaining 30 000 had to make themselves comfortable on the outside, but intent on receiving God message, the men in the hot sun never complained and were able to hear every word that Angus spoke via a huge sound system.
The visitors
Of the large group of young farmers who attended the Mighty Men’s Conference, three brothers – Martiens de Jager, who is a horse whisperer from Cape Town, and Wynand and Wilhelm de Jager who farm in Mpumalanga (pictured at the back from left to right) – attended for the first time this year.
The brothers agreed wholeheartedly that the conference was the only place other than a rugby match where men could get together and discuss serious matters affecting them and their families.“The MMC comes at a good time because we are able to appreciate that we’re not alone in our struggle with life’s challenges,” said Martiens. “Angus’s words actually give us strength for the future. I already feel emotionally and spiritually stronger by having it reaffirmed that I have the Lord behind me.”
Angus has taught us that everything is possible through God and not through our own efforts.” The brothers said the conference was a great place to release one’s emotions, even if that meant shedding tears, because all the men were there for the same reasons. The conference was a safe place to show their emotional vulnerability.“We don’t normally even show each other how we truly feel, but here we have been able to be honest with each other and ourselves for the first time in a long time,” added the brothers.
The conference’s primary issues
One can divide the message Angus brought to the conference into two sections. To have love for the Lord with your whole heart, and to love the people around you and treat them with respect. Although that was the primary theme he expressed his views on various other issues.
Racism:“There are people here who have problems with race relations,” he said. “Guys, this must end.” He prayed that God would remove racism from people’s hearts as it robs them of their joy of life.
Corporal punishment:Angus said it’s a father’s duty to discipline his children. “A person must give a rebellious child a hiding, but then say ‘I love you’,” he advised.
Paying tax:“Some of you think you’re clever with the tax collector,” he said. “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s,” he suggested.
Water:He said one shouldn’t use a divining stick as it’s not according to the will of God. Ask God where you must farm.
Source: Beeld, 22 April 2008.
