More than 70 000 gather at Loftus for Jesus
21 July 2008, 09:07
By Alex Eliseev and Mogomotsi Magome
More than 70 000 Christians from across the country gathered at the weekend for the Loftus for Jesus event.
The event, the biggest gathering ever at Loftus Versfeld, was also broadcast live to about 500-million people around the world on GOD TV, one of the world's largest Christian television networks.
They came to hear Angus Buchan share his passion for Jesus and the unity of the church.
Springbok and Blue Bulls rugby jerseys dotted the packed stadium as Buchan preached about family, repentance, revival and reconciliation.
Above him, the giant screens advertised a R100 DVD of the event and an SMS follow-up line if people wanted to report a "personal encounter with the Lord".
There were bands, including the Soweto String Quartet and gospel singer Juanita du Plessis, sports stars, television celebrities and a mighty sound system.
The main attraction was Buchan, author of Faith Like Potatoes.
With his trademark cowboy hat and fiery Zulu phrases, he enchanted the masses at Loftus and across the globe.
His hour-long sermon was broadcast to Australia and Europe via satellite.
"Amen," he shouted into his microphone, pounding the wooden podium.
"Amen!" the crowd thundered back. "Amen", "Amen!"
He pointed to the crowds and the sky, spread his arms and collapsed to his knees.
"God is here. The Lord is here," he said.
"We're looking at a miracle!"
In the stands, a big man in a rugby jersey sobbed. Two girls nearby stood with their hands clasped together, looking upwards.
Minuche Snyman, from Johannesburg, said she found it breathtaking.
"I have never attended a gathering with so many people," she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Centurion resident Michael Siconolfi, who was among the 60 000 who attended the Mighty Men's conference earlier this year.
"It is fantastic to see so many people gathered here with the purpose of praising God. I feel strong and enriched by the experience," he said.
Buchan is on a road show across South Africa and is due to preach at Johannesburg's Ellis Park stadium in November.
More than 70 000 Christians from across the country gathered at the weekend for the Loftus for Jesus event.
The event, the biggest gathering ever at Loftus Versfeld, was also broadcast live to about 500-million people around the world on GOD TV, one of the world's largest Christian television networks.
They came to hear Angus Buchan share his passion for Jesus and the unity of the church.
Springbok and Blue Bulls rugby jerseys dotted the packed stadium as Buchan preached about family, repentance, revival and reconciliation.
Above him, the giant screens advertised a R100 DVD of the event and an SMS follow-up line if people wanted to report a "personal encounter with the Lord".
There were bands, including the Soweto String Quartet and gospel singer Juanita du Plessis, sports stars, television celebrities and a mighty sound system.
The main attraction was Buchan, author of Faith Like Potatoes.
With his trademark cowboy hat and fiery Zulu phrases, he enchanted the masses at Loftus and across the globe.
His hour-long sermon was broadcast to Australia and Europe via satellite.
"Amen," he shouted into his microphone, pounding the wooden podium.
"Amen!" the crowd thundered back. "Amen", "Amen!"
He pointed to the crowds and the sky, spread his arms and collapsed to his knees.
"God is here. The Lord is here," he said.
"We're looking at a miracle!"
In the stands, a big man in a rugby jersey sobbed. Two girls nearby stood with their hands clasped together, looking upwards.
Minuche Snyman, from Johannesburg, said she found it breathtaking.
"I have never attended a gathering with so many people," she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Centurion resident Michael Siconolfi, who was among the 60 000 who attended the Mighty Men's conference earlier this year.
"It is fantastic to see so many people gathered here with the purpose of praising God. I feel strong and enriched by the experience," he said.
Buchan is on a road show across South Africa and is due to preach at Johannesburg's Ellis Park stadium in November.
- This article was originally published on page 3 of The Pretoria News on July 21, 2008
Cape Town
