Loftus vir Jesus- I was there
By Janine van Niekerk

I know, I know, you see these pics everywhere. Thousands and thousands of people filling Loftus stadium... but I was there before they had taken their seats and I saw that miracle taking place right in front of my eyes...

We arrived there 10h00 in the morning. I had to see that all the artists were fine, parked, doing their sound checks and had all eaten (artists do not perform well on an empty stomach). And thank goodness for that, because parking started running out just about 3 minutes after that... people were arriving from all over and it was actually quite funny to see how many guys were wearing these cowboy hats just like Angus always does. Maybe they normally do and I just had not noticed up till then... but let’s leave that one there...

The atmosphere was more than electric. It was as if people had been waiting for this day for so long. You know you tell Christians to come with an expectation. But for once, I think people just could not help themselves. It was as if they just knew that today was a watershed day, and that they were only privileged to be part of it. It was as if this one day transcended all the church politics. The discord and bickering about small things were totally irrelevant on this day... and everyone had this irrevocable sense that this was a day that the Lord had made... in the fullest sense of that sentence.

The first wave of people came right after the gates had opened at 10h00. They stationed themselves right in front of the stage, and they were the ones filmed right through the proceedings for the Loftus vir Jesus DVD (lucky them... he he). They were happily getting to know one another as artist after artist did their sound check and the sound technicians got everything working as it should. Retief Burger’s “Luidkeel Hersien” DVD played as loudly as human ears could bare and set the tone so long. People brought their picnic baskets and some even started worshipping so long. It was crazy. The stalls were all busy right from the start as people actually really wanted to get the branded T-shirt/ windbreaker/ beanie/ pen/ bag or scarf amongst other things for this event.

Then there was a little lull, and the next moment it was like when the Titanic was sinking and people were jostling to get onto the last boat. People were streaming into the stadium! They had waited until the last moment because they had seated tickets, but that had not helped with the parking. Some people had to walk as far as 2 km’s to get to the stadium. This was the last half hour before the event began... and very untypical of any charismatic event, Loftus vir Jesus actually started on time. 13h00 Louis Brittz, Retief Burger and one of the hottest bands in the industry got on stage and started worshipping. People’s hearts were ready and with no encouragement whatsoever they fell in. The focus was on God from the start. Louis was quite great with the song list. He chose modern as well as some more traditional songs (arranged in a more modern style) so that everyone had songs they would know. There was also a song written for the event. It was called “U Naam Is Ons Kreet” and was an anthem for people to proudly stand for what they believe. It was perfect for the aim of the event – to get the people of Gauteng at a birthing place, ready to make a difference for God in this country.

Then it was time for Angus to come and share his heart. He did not wear a tailored suite. His voice croaked in the beginning. It was clear that he had been crying, and was overwhelmed by the implication of the thousands standing in front of Him. But when he took his Bible in his hand and started bringing the word, there was no stopping this man from telling the truth as it is. This to me was already a miracle. I personally know people of all denominations that were present at Loftus that day. Angus did not try to not offend anyone; he got the message across and no one was offended. People from the most traditional denomination to the most

charismatically inclined recognised the stark truth in his words, and listened as if they had never heard truth before! It did not matter how it was delivered.... and Angus was charismatic. He said that if you wanted to agree, then you had to agree wholeheartedly and make it known. So every time he yelled out “Amen”, 71 128 people echoed his sentiment in full unison. It felt like a political rally, or an army camp or something. One thing was for sure. Unity has never had such a loud voice! It was moving and overwhelming all at the same time.

The points Angus made were the following:

• Forget about leaving the country if God had not told you so. South Africa is in a revival... look around you. You are part of something incredible... so stay and be part of it.
• Leave all sin behind and be holy because God is holy. And he called out the sins by their names.
• - Adultery and fornication
  - Unbelief is the biggest of all
  - Stealing , such as from the state
  - Etc.
• He had all 71 128 people repent and recommit their life to God in preparation of what He has in store for this country.
• He held up the Bible and told all to decide once and for all that the word of God was the ultimate truth and to believe it. That you needed that security no matter what you saw around you (and he had many stories to back it up!)

Then he told especially the older generation, to forget the past. To forgive. And he told South Africans to stop moaning about the government, but rather to pray for them. Stop speaking death and start proclaiming the sovereignty of God over this country... and then to live it.
And he said that there were enough people in the stadium to change the heart of a nation.

The worship that followed his sermon was incredible! It was as if Juanita’s song “Hef Jul Hande Na Bo” became a proclamation of intent for the country. I was in tears all through it, looking down at 71 128 worshipping God with all their hearts, lifting up their hands in worship they just could not contain.

To me the ultimate test of the spirit imparted at the event came afterwards... when 71 128 had to leave the stadium, get into their cars, stand in long queues in the streets, let another car reverse down from the pavement in front of your car... and STILL not lose that smile you have in your heart.
Well that part was a little irritating, but overall... everyone made it home safely.

Back home the discussion went the same way I think it did in many homes that evening: “So, what do you think we can do to be part of this? What has to change in our home to get us closer to God and nearer to the solution for this country?” Decisions were made and families, schools, churches, businesses, communities... even the streets were affected.

Thanks Mario and everyone who had this vision and acted on it.Thanks uncle Angus for keeping the faith all those years, and being where it counted the 19th of July 2008. Thanks to all the 71 128 people of God who acted on His prompting to come... because as Uncle Angus quoted: “2 Ch 7:14 says: If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”