SPONSORED | MMC: A movement to empower men of faith

In 2003, a powerful message was placed on Angus Buchan’s heart – to mentor young men to become Christlike leaders in their homes. This vision has since blossomed into a global phenomenon, with Mighty Men Conferences (MMC) taking place all over the world.

The core of this message is simple, yet profound: encouraging men to embrace their roles as prophet, priest and king within their families, not to assert dominance, but to uplift and bless their loved ones.

The vision of a godly man
The MMC message is founded on a biblical framework, emphasising that when men walk in the way of Jesus, families flourish, women are respected and protected, and children thrive. It’s about taking on a sacred responsibility to lead with integrity and love.

The conference focuses on key principles for men:
• Be a godly example: Men are called to be beacons of light in every sphere of life – whether at work, on the sports field or in their communities. Their attitudes and actions should reflect the “fragrance of Jesus Christ.”
• Live with integrity: The message is clear – our actions must align with our words. A man’s lifestyle should be a testament to his faith.
• Embrace responsibility: Men are urged to understand their vital role in their family, community and nation. They are encouraged to be good fathers, husbands, leaders and citizens for the greater good of the Kingdom of God.
• Practise good stewardship: This includes managing finances, maintaining high moral standards and living by biblical principles.
• Value God’s Word: Above all, men are taught to qualify everything they say and do with Scripture.

The birth of the Mighty Men Conference Lowveld
The Mighty Men Conference Lowveld chapter was born from the persistent faith of Mark Storrier, a spiritual son of Angus Buchan. Mark, a member of the Lowveld Vineyard Church in Mbombela, was convinced that the Lowveld needed its own conference and repeatedly urged his senior pastor, Johan Fullard, to lead the charge.
In 2015, with the addition of Kobus Pretorius – a man with extensive experience in men’s ministries – Ps Johan felt the time was right. Under the spiritual oversight of Ps Johan and the chairmanship of Kobus, the ministry was officially launched. Since 2019, they have hosted five successful conferences, radically changing countless lives.

An annual gathering of faith
The Mighty Men Conference Lowveld is an annual weekend event, running from Friday to Sunday. It’s a popular destination for campers who pitch their tents for the weekend, though day visitors are also warmly welcomed.
The conference features a line-up of guest speakers who share powerful testimonies and deliver inspiring messages. Each session is filled with vibrant praise and worship, led by a live band. The final Sunday session is a special family service, welcoming everyone to join in the fellowship.
For attendees, various food and beverage stalls are available, though guests are also welcome to bring their own. A designated braai area and hot water showers are provided for campers, ensuring a comfortable and memorable weekend of spiritual renewal and community.

This year’s event takes place from September 12 to 14 at Klipspringer Lodge, just outside Mbombela.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mightymenlowveld

Website: https://www.mmclowveld.co.za/

Contact information:

• Kobus Pretorius – 082 084 8676
• Johan Fullard – 073 037 6570

Download the programme here: MMC Lowveld Brochure – Final.pdf (1)_compressed

A divine encounter: The call to roar

(Louwrens Kriel – Vleis Paleis and Klipspringer Lodge)

My testimony begins at a church service about signs. At that stage of my life, I hadn’t yet learnt to recognise the Lord’s signs, but my heart was constantly searching for His voice. I longed for something deeper, something unmistakable that would affirm His presence and His call for my life.

The Mighty Men event was hosted at one of my venues in Nelspruit and something about the event stirred me. There was a pull, a sense that this particular gathering would be significant. That Friday night, during worship, the message resonated with me in a way I couldn’t ignore. The theme for 2024 was proposed: Roar like a Lion – a call to be strong in faith, to live out discipleship boldly, and to proclaim the Lord’s Word with courage, just as the Lion of Judah reigns in power.

The words settled deep in my heart, refusing to fade even as I left the service. Driving home, I felt restless, as if the Lord was speaking directly to me. Instead of taking my usual route, I was compelled to take a shorter dirt road – one I hadn’t travelled in a long time. It wasn’t a rational decision; it felt like an urging from the Holy Spirit, a nudge I couldn’t ignore.

As I was sharing my experience with someone over the phone, I rounded a bend and saw something in the road ahead. At first, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. But then I saw its tail. My heart pounded, my hands shook – I dropped my phone.

There, standing in the middle of the road, was a lion.

For a moment, it locked eyes with me before disappearing into the bush. I sat in stunned silence. It wasn’t fear that filled me but awe. I knew, without a doubt, that this was the Lord’s sign to me – a confirmation that He was calling me to something more. A call to roar like a lion.

Sleep didn’t come easily that night. My heart was overwhelmed by the sheer weight of what had happened. The next day, I went back with a friend who was a tracker, and there, pressed into the dirt road, were the lion’s tracks. As I shared what had happened, something shifted in my friend – someone I had never spoken to about faith before. That moment became my first testimony.

But it didn’t stop there.

That Saturday morning, I shared my testimony with Johann Fullard at Mighty Men. His reaction was one of amazement – he and the other pastors had been praying about the ‘Roar like a Lion’ theme for a long time. My encounter with the lion was a divine confirmation of their prayers. They prayed that the lion would not be hurt or hurt any one.

A week later, I shared my testimony with another close friend. The following morning that same friend told me that he received a video of the lion walking by his estate’s fence. He too recognised it as a sign, a personal message from the Lord.

And so began my incredible journey of faith.

Since that night, I have seen the Lion of Judah everywhere. Messages in church, Bible studies, and even unexpected places like TikTok have continued to echo the same theme. Every time I share my testimony, it spreads, reaching more people, igniting conversations about faith, and drawing others closer to the Lord.

This journey has been nothing short of miraculous. Every day, God continues to surprise me, guide me, and reveal Himself in ways I never imagined.

I have learned to listen. I have learned to trust.

And now, I roar like a lion for my Almighty God.