By Piérre Maré
Mighty Men Jeffreys Bay has announced that its ninth annual conference, from March 19 to 21 next year, will be the last it hosts in Jeffreys Bay.
The theme for the final gathering at the farm Mooi Uitsig is Tetelestai, the Greek word for Jesus’ declaration from the cross in John 19:30: “It is finished.”
“Some have already picked up on it, and asked — is this the last one? We can’t avoid that question,” the organisers wrote on their Facebook page. “So here it is, straight: yes.”
The committee says it does not yet know what comes next. “We haven’t been given a map for what comes after this,” the post reads. “What we do have is a God we trust.”
Nine themes, one story
The organisers say the themes chosen since 2018 now read like a single journey:
• 2018: Arise (Psalm 68:1), a call for men to get off the sidelines and stand
• 2019: Ignite (Romans 12:11), because a man who rises needs to catch fire
• 2020: Conquer (Ephesians 6:10–20), armour and a battle plan for the ignited man
• 2022: Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), sent out to represent Someone bigger; the word prayed for 2021 was carried forward when that year fell away
• 2023: Chosen (John 15:16), the foundation beneath it all: He chose you
• 2024: Fearless (2 Timothy 1:7), because a chosen man need not carry fear
• 2025: Forgiven (Luke 7:48), because fearless is not free until a man knows he is forgiven
• 2026: Transformed (Romans 12:2), a forgiven man renewed in his mind
• 2027: Tetelestai (John 19:30), “It is finished”
“Not ‘we are finished’. Not ‘the work is done, pack up and rest’,” the post explains. “Finished the way Jesus meant it from the cross — paid in full, nothing left owing, nothing left to prove.” The team also sees significance in the number. Scripture records that Jesus gave up His Spirit at the ninth hour, and this is the ninth conference. “I don’t think that’s a coincidence,” the post says.
Prayer behind the stage
The themes are never chosen casually, according to the organisers. Each year the committee prays through the theme and waits on it, while intercessor teams pray in shifts around the clock for the conference and every man attending. The grounds are prayed over and anointed each year.
The committee has asked the public to join in praying for the men who attend, the organisers and the guest speakers.
‘This is the one’
The organisers are making a direct appeal to men who have put off attending, including those who have been invited by a father, son, brother or friend year after year.
“Bring the guys. Bring your son. Bring your dad. Bring the friend who’s never set foot in church in his life,” the post urges.
They believe next year is when “the finished work of the cross meets the unfinished business sitting in a man’s heart”.
The conference closes on the Sunday with the family service, when women and families join the men. The team hopes that the traditional closing “Amen!” will be the loudest yet, echoing across Kouga.
The Friday and Saturday are reserved for ministering to the men. Guest speakers will be confirmed nearer the time, however tickets are available now from their website.Visit www.mightymeneasterncape.co.za and follow fb.com/mightymeneasterncape for updates.
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