Jeff Lucas tells Christian men they can change the world

It was ‘a taste of heaven’. That’s how one visitor described the dramatic sound when 2,000 male voices filled Belfast’s Waterfront Hall recently.

They came from across the UK, Ireland – and other nations – to take part in one of Europe’s biggest men’s conferences, The Mandate. The November event offers a packed programme of Christian worship and teaching.

Popular author Jeff Lucas addressed this year’s theme of Hope-filled Men…Lights In A Troubled World. With his well-known storytelling skills, Jeff looked at the adventures of ‘a man just like us’ – the Bible hero Elijah.

"Our culture is in trouble…we’re disconnected from any story…marooned on a postmodern island," he explained. Yet none of this is new, for Elijah faced similar crises.

He encouraged the men, "It’s together that we can change the world."

Singing was led by David Millen and The Mandate Band, with music in the Celtic style, consisting of punchy rhythms and plaintive sounds. And the men did more than just sing. They also dug deep into their pockets and donated more than £10,000 to Friends In Action, a charity that digs wells in developing nations.

Essex-based dramatist Steve Murray captivated the audience with some thought-provoking pieces of mime, in between the main talks.

Other speakers from across Northern Ireland, Wales and England delivered an afternoon seminar programme. They tackled a host of ‘hot issues’ including money, fatherhood, prayer, sexual temptation, marriage and homosexuality.

The Mandate is an initiative of the Christian social concern charity CARE and EM Church Development & Conferences, which supports local churches in transition.