Evangelist Organizes South African Prayer Rally Amid Violence

In the wake of the death of 46 people killed in labor-related violence in South Africa, evangelist Angus Buchan is turning to prayer.

Buchan is holding a mass prayer gathering on Saturday in hopes of bringing reconciliation, restoration and revival to the troubled Marikana area.

Aptly named “New Beginning,” pastors and churches from across the region and will draw large numbers of people from every community to intercede for the nation. Miners who have been striking and grieving families who have lost loved ones are expected to participate. The theme is 2 Chronicles 7:14, which promises that if God’s people walk in humility and are prayerful, then He will respond by healing the nation.

“The destiny of our nation depends upon us as believers,” says Buchan, founder of Shalom Trust, who is best known for the movies Faith Like Potatoes and Ordinary People. “It doesn’t depend on the politicians or on anyone else. We need to get back to God, humble ourselves and pray, turn from our wicked ways and God will heal our land.”

GOD TV co-founder and CEO, Rory Alec is traveling to South Africa to participate in the prayer rally, which is being held in his hometown of Rustenburg, close to Marikana. He will host the live broadcast, which will be beamed worldwide from the Olympia Park Stadium at 10 a.m. with a replay at 7 p.m. EST.

“I am pleased to return to Rustenburg for this far-reaching crusade,” says Rory Alec, “We have a vision for living rooms to truly come alive as our viewers watch revival as it happens. New Beginning is an extraordinary opportunity for us to see this take place as Angus Buchan’s message of reconciliation and restoration is beamed worldwide on the GOD Channel.”

New Beginning will start with the Soweto Gospel Choir and include worship with the 3R Team and Joe Niemand. Prayers will be led by local pastors, including Francois Burger of Loftpark who is organizing the event, Ed Bilong, president of Vision Africa Changers and Bert Pretorius of 3C Church in Pretoria.

“Our hearts are with those who grieve, but we believe that what the enemy has meant for evil, God will turn to good,” says GOD TV’s Director of Television Wendy Alec. “We’re expecting many viewers to be reconciled to God, families to be restored and the body of Christ to be stirred.”