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Just Men Conference 2013 to stick with South African theme

12 September 2012
Just Men Conference 2013 to stick with South African theme

The Men’s Ministry team at The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory has announced that another South African speaker will headline its 2013 Just Men Conference, following a spirit-led event this year.

More than 300 men attended the two weekends in Sydney and Brisbane to hear keynote speaker Salvationist Buhle Dlamini, one of South Africa’s top motivational speakers, and also to laugh, sing, pray, praise and hang out together. The 2013 event will feature Commissioner Clive Adams, the Territorial Commander of the Army’s Norway, Iceland and the Faeroes Territory.

“He’s a sports tragic!” says Men’s Ministry Coordinator Malcolm Beeson. “But his message from God is for all men. His theme is based on, ‘Following On’ – get the cricket reference – and will be centred on restoration, renewal, and refocusing.

Just Men 2012 - Brisbane

By Kevin Elsley

Wow, what a weekend! Set in bushland with a creek, waterfalls, bushwalks and brush turkeys, this was a perfect venue to praise our God. And we did when 80 or so men belted out the words of the songs How Great is Our God and How Great Thou Art to get us in the mood for the weekend theme, Beyond Belief.

God certainly used the guest speaker, Buhle Dlamini, in a mighty way to get his message home. The Scripture references were those that most of us would have read many times, but the message behind them was delivered in such a way that it was as though we were hearing and reading them for the first time.

Another highlight of the weekend was to hear the testimonies and listen to grown men admitting to teary eyes after watching the film Courageous.

The weekend challenged my priorities. As a father, grandfather and godfather, I was challenged to “be a man” of significance, purpose and action. In one session based on Acts 3:1-10, we were invited to turn to the guy next to us and admit to him, “I have a problem” and to be aware of our own lameness.

Then, in another session, Buhle spoke about rising up like David in 1 Samuel 17:32-37, and help others face the “lions” in their lives. There are so many young people out there who are facing “lions”, people who are looking to us to be role models.

We were challenged again to take action, to “walk on water” and change the world (Matthew 14:25-32). I must get out of the boat if I want to “walk on water”; I can’t do much staying in the boat.

When we were reminded we needed to be world changers – to stand up for truth, go against the flow, take action and step out of our comfort zone – I was confronted with the question: “Am I too comfortable in my belief, in my church?”

We were told world changers sometimes fail, but refuse to be failures; sometimes confronted by fear but never controlled by it. How could I resist the urge of the Holy Spirit at the end of all this to kneel at the altar with my friends in Christ and go that one step further in my belief?

Great fellowship, plenty of spare time to make new friends, and meaningful electives. I can’t wait for the next one!

Just Men 2012 - Sydney

By Cameron McLaren

The Just Men Conference 2012 was a great time to have fellowship with other blokes. It was amazing to see men go forward to both accept Jesus for the first time and to seek God's blessing in their walk with him.

Buhle Dlamini was a great speaker who captivated our attention and I believe he spoke God's truth. I felt we were all called not only to step up as men but to be the best men we can be, with the saying “Be who you be, man” as the unofficial slogan of the weekend.

God challenged me about what it means to be a real man. At the age of 20, I find I am thinking more about the calling of true manhood and the responsibilities that God places on us as men.

The conference encouraged me to learn all I can about being a man of God, so that when I am faced with new and challenging life situations I can give my all to what God calls me to do.

For information about the 2013 Just Men Conference, contact Malcolm Beeson. Phone: 02 9266 9742


Photos: 1. Salvationist and South African motivational speaker, Buhle Dlamini, speaks at the Just Men conference, 2. Peter Gott - On your mark, get set, laser! (Photos by Colin Walsh)

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