The first ever Mighty Family Festival in South Africa takes place in the Southern Cape this weekend. Hundreds and maybe even thousands of people are expected to flock to the banks of the Moordkuyl Riverat Great Brak River where gospel singers and preachers will worship and praise the Lord. One of the highlights of the weekend will be the services lead by Dr Fergus Buchan at 18:00 on Saturday and again at 10:00 on Sunday.
Well-known singers including Wian Vos, Michael Lindt and Carl Erasmus (better known as ‘Elvis”) will be in action. An array of local artists and preachers will be in action and there is also a possibility that the evangelist from Africa that was on the farm when the idea of the Mighty Family Festival was first mentioned, will be there.
A few years ago the Mighty Men phenomena was born and all over the country men flocked to the weekend camps held by Dr Angus Buchan, well-known preacher on whose life the movie “Faith Like Potatoes” was based.
Then followed the Worthy Women seminars, but still there was no provision made for families to attend a weekend where they could worship together and raise the Lord.
And that is how the Mighty Families Festival was born. When a reluctant Christo Strydom was taken to look at the piece of land on which the festival will be held, he immediately changed his attitude and bought the land which is known as Bains Game Ranch. Within the next few months a herd of more than 100 buffalo fromEast Africa will be brought in. Their pure bloodline will be used to breed The buffalo sanctuary will be the largest in the Western Cape.
On the farm there is a natural amphitheatre that Strydom immediately envisaged for religious family festivals such as the Mighty Family Festival. He has also made the facilities available to churches and organisations to make use of it. This year the festival, which starts at 12:00 on Saturday, will be held on the banks of the Moordkuyl Riverand not at the amphitheatre. “There is no power or ablution facilities in that area” Strydom said and added that next year the festival will definitely be held on the amphitheatre.
Entry to the festival is free of charge and visitors are invited to bring their tents and caravans and to spend the night in the beautiful area. Although there is limited ablution facilities, ample toilets will be supplied. Contact Dianne Erasmus on 082 778 4066 if you plan on staying the night.
Directions to get to Yellowoods, which is also situated on the Bains Game Ranch, has been put up from both the Klein Brak as well as from Great Brak area. However, if you do not have a 4×4 vehicle, it is suggested that you take the Great Brak directions, as the other road has an area where the road follows the river.
Bring the whole family and spend the day – and maybe even the night – in the company of fellow Christians that love to fellowship and praise the Lord. Food stalls will be available and controlled fires will be made available for you to braai. Bring your own picnic basket, but remember NO ALCHOHOL will be allowed on the premises.
(Denise Lloyd)
