MMC Bushveld an Appointment with God

MMC Bushveld – An appointment with God

Dia van Staden

March 2013

The Mighty Men Conference held in the Bushveld (Polokwane), drew approximately 4 200 men from all over the country who wanted to renew their vows with God.

The first men arrived on Thursday 14 March, making sure that they got a tree to camp under, as close to the practical showers that were built to add to the comfort of the men.

Reports from the gate via the two-way radios were encouraging as more cars arrived on Friday during the day. A gradual flow of cars through the gates ensured that as many men as possible could be attended to by the marshalls and other crew members on the farm. The disabled persons were immediately directed to spots closer to the stage area to provide easier access for them, whether they were in wheelchairs or had a problem with walking too far.

The musical team started getting their notes and instruments together before 17:00 and that is when the first men also started placing their chairs in front of the stage for a good view.

Sound Headquarters put up three screens, providing a quality view from anywhere in the arena in front of the stage in the arena. The praise and worship was lead by Franna Benade, who wrote a special few songs for the MMC Bushveld this year. The team got the audience into a great spirit for the message to follow.

Six o’clock came and it was time to get the show on the road. Francois Brits, owner of Snymansdrift and chairman of the MMC Bushveld committee welcomed the men to his farm and shared the theme with them.

Philippians 2:3: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

Piet Jacobs, better known as Piet Myner, was the speaker for Friday evening. His message hit home for thousands of men. He encouraged the men to experience a “change of ownership” from belonging to the world to rather belonging to God. Piet said: “If God can use a donkey like me, just think what he can do with a racehorse like you.” According to Piet Mighty Men Conferences are extremely important because it is where men can connect with men’s hearts. Thousands of men put their pride aside to stand up and make a choice for Jesus Christ.

On Saturday morning there was a beautiful buzz among the men as they settled at the stage area for the morning session of praise and worship. Joe Niemand brought a few of his new releases and sang with a powerful assurance.

Riekert Botha, RSG’s presented of Pleisters vir die siel and author of the same books shared his heart with the men in a discussion about how important a transition from being just a dad, to becoming a father, is. “Children do not want perfect parents, they want truthful and sincere parents,” he stated. Riekert warned the men not to become such strong disciplinarians that they miss out on being fathers. “If God had to put me down and tell me exactly what he thought of all my mistakes, He would be busy for a very long time,” he shared. His statement: “The more I know God, the better I treat people”, was a simple statement that opened the eyes of the men. He reminded the men: “Before you can be a father you need to meet the Father.”

Saturday evening welcomed Angus Buchan, the father of MMC, to the meeting. His prime message to the men was that they were their own biggest enemies, because unbelief, according to the Bible, is the greatest sin.

“You need to find out what God’s will is for your life,” he said. He exclaimed that a miracle was necessary for South Africa, but that faith has feet and the men had to become involved in the change. “The reward of faith is to see it happen in your life,” he told the men after which he shouted his well known “Amen” and they replied with enthusiasm.

Many men and women with their families gathered on the farm Snymansdrift for the Sunday morning service. His strong message to families was that they had to become aggressive in their faith. They needed to take a stand against pornography, fornication, lust, swearing and turn to God. He encouraged the men to become role models to their families and at the workplace.

“The greatest legacy that any man can leave his children, is to treat his wife, their mother, well.” He said that any man can make a baby, but that it takes a father to raise a son.

Women were strongly motivated to respect their husbands, because love makes the world go around.

After the last sermon Francois Brits stated: “MMC Bushveld will go on for as long as God will allow it to go on.”

Contact Dia van Staden, project coordinator, at or visit the MMC Bosveld Facebook page for ongoing information.