buy and eat... Why spend money on what is not bread?' Ah —
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
known and loved. It was a rose-tinted memory. Now we had
adapted to the culture and lowered the drawbridge it was
inevitable that wordly influences should come. God's fire
would purify them.
Two weeks later there was another outbreak. As Steve spoke
about the bowl of oil it was if the angel had arrived and was
pouring it all over them. People felt they were soaked in heal-
ing oil. Everyone was excited. They laughed, cried, prayed
out or just shook and fell. Prophecy was unleashed; wherever
this oil was allowed to flow there would be change. Eyes would
be opened. Ears unblocked. Prison bars melted.
Around this time Steve attended a Toronto-style meeting
and from then on kept waking up at exactly 5.55 in the morn-
ing. One Saturday night the Lord woke him up suddenly and
urged him to go downstairs and look out of the window. Steve
groaned. It was winter. But he dressed and went down.
'What do you see?' the Lord asked. Under the orange street-
lights Steve watched someone unloading sacks of bread on
the doorstep. (This was free bread for the homeless).
'Er, I see a white van — and lots of free bread.'
That was all. A puzzled Steve climbed gratefully back into
bed. The next morning Steve intended to preach from Isaiah
55. He turned to the passage: 'You who have no money; come,
buy and eat... Why spend money on what is not bread?' Ah —
free bread! That was why God woke him up! He was bringing
living bread to the house.
In the morning meeting he spoke on the need to hear and
eat God's word. Listen-eat-live-do: this was Isaiah. Remark-
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
able things followed as others began to wake up at 5.55 and
get words from Isaiah!
As the new year began Steve was inundated with words,
dreams and pictures. He would be in his office and the phone
would ring: 'Steve, I had a dream...'
One morning two sisters ran down excitedly from Spread-
ing Flame. They'd just had a vision of lots of young men car-
rying batons and running up and down the stairs of Battle-
centre and out onto the streets.
One scripture impressed itself on Steve — Isaiah 55.5: 'Na-
tions that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the
Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel.' Isaiah 55.5? 5.55am?
He smiled at the coincidence. Now, when he awoke, Steve
claimed the promise of 'nations coming to Zion'. He'd set his
heart on a multiracial church. One prophecy said: 'When it
rains, black umbrellas come out.' In the midst of blessing
black people would come. That year three black churches in
London joined the Multiply Network.
One day Steve suddenly declared; 'Zion's sons will arrive
through the front door, the back door and even up through
the floor!' Very unlikely! But when men came to work on the
foundations, Steve bumped into a dusty workman climbing
out of the cellar! Marian, a Romanian communist, stayed for
dinner, found Jesus and moved in.
God told them to expect refugees. One black brother and
his sister escaped from war-torn Africa both assuming the
other was dead. Miraculously they met at Victoria Station.
Both joined the Acton congregation.
Another word was about Spanish-speakers. That summer
they found Jose, a Spaniard and heroin addict, in Leicester
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
Square. He was powerfully saved. Mario, a flamboyant Span-
ish-speaker from Guadeloupe, also turned up and Miguel ar-
rived from South America, soft-hearted and ready for disci-
pleship.
Added to these, David 'Le Radical', romantic Frenchman
and rasta, came via Amsterdam; Franceso arrived from Italy
and Terry from the Emerald Isle. Terry, a near-invalid, found
deliverance from alcohol addiction and stepped out of his
wheelchair. Young men were now running up and down the
stairs at Battlecentre. London, at least, was doing well.
Bowl and scroll; fresh oil for the lampstand and a new spirit
of prophecy. This was the need of us all, especially North-
ampton which lacked the groundswell motivation of newer
congregations. The newer units were small, urban and out-
ward-looking. Risktakers needed God to survive. Not so set-
tlers. Ensconced in rural comfort and routine, some could sit
through the harrowing scenes shown in the latest multime-
dia event, 'Bleeding Life', and go home to sleep it off.
But God was anointing outward-lookers, those who, like
Jesus, came 'not to be served but to serve'. If ever there was
a day for harvest it was now. Our destiny depended on reject-
ing lukewarmness and being poured out for the nation.
Our vision focused down. We soft-pedalled our involvement
overseas and planned an all-out offensive on the UK. The motto
was: UK People, We Love You! — the plan: to evangelise all
major cities in Britain. As Michael Green observed:
Paul's strategy was urban. He made for the centres. The Acts of
the Apostles records his visit to city after city of importance.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
This was part of a definite plan for planting the good news in
key positions throughout the Empire.132
Mike 'Rockfast' saw a picture of arrows flying out from the
centre of the church and hitting many targets in the nation.
One thrust utilised the new coach which could house a whole
team and had already 'done damage' in Yorkshire. Complete
with stacks of literature, food, and the wild and inspired, it
was to carry the UK Ignition Gospel Roadshow.
Ignition was to travel the land for three years sparking off
spiritual fires. The pioneers' commission was to 'leaven with
the gospel the strategic cities and towns of the UK, recognis-
ing groups and planting church households.' Their adventures
would fill a book.
Mary and I had just been wed when we joined the Ignition
team in the South West. We met the bus at Plymouth where it
had been followed by the Mayor on a carnival procession!
Our team (with an age range of 8 to 80) evangelised Torbay
and Exeter. We had a warm reception. Anglicans lent us their
church hall, an old Quaker invited us to tea, and policemen
blessed us. God had gone before and there was an openness
abroad.
Many were drawn by the colourful bus and the buzz of life
around it. One travelling new-age artist joined our 'church
on wheels' and later ripped up his occult paintings. A biker
couple, who happened to stroll past the bus in Torquay, re-
turned the next morning as new-born Christians, bright eyed
and eager. Later Jim and Georgie wrote to Jesus Life:
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
The presence of the bus sparked off a discussion about Jesus
which went on into the night. We ended up reading a gospel
booklet. Then the penny dropped. I couldn't believe the answer
was staring me in the face. I'd got into New Age, Astrology,
Spiritualism, Animal Medicine—you name it. I'd totally bypassed
Christianity as a dead religion. Mind you, it wasn't religion I
found but Jesus Christ. Our whole life changed and it greatly
effected our friends. We were a bit upset when the Jesus Army
bus moved on.133
But God looked after them. Jim continued:
That weekend the church next door opened its doors for the
first time in two years. People were dancing with joy, others
were falling under the power of the Spirit. The room crackled
with electricity.
This said it all: church in revival; people prepared; seekers
searching; a generation turned off by institutions but attracted
to the person of Christ. Here was Jesus Revolution, 90s-style.
Ignition teams came home excited: 'They're wide open out
there!'
Into this scene we flowed not as stingy Christians but as
the generous-hearted. Marches with overtones of strength
were transformed into relaxed, festive street-walks. Bearing
bright crosses, butterflies, planet earths, and 'We Love Eve-
rybody' placards, we gave away stickers, flyers and even
chocolate bars. People were beautiful — not only created by
God but precious to a Saviour who had 'died for all'.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
One Bristol team attended a gay night-club carrying huge
luminous butterflies and wearing the bright stage clothes from
Bleeding Life. As the team listened to people, shared hearts
and praised God to the dance beat, some of the clubbers were
won over by their meekness and non-rejection.
Washing feet was a sign of the servant that we took amongst
the people. 'Respect everybody' was apostle Peter's plea (1
Pet 2:17). Whether at London's Megatripolis nightclub or at
Glastonbury Festival many were willing to have their feet
washed, or receive prayer and anointing with oil.
Such trust! A pagan generation into symbols, vibes and mys-
tery were ripe for a Christianity with its roots in experiential
faith and sacraments. The cleansing blood, baptism or anoint-
ing with oil were commodities that non-rationals could grasp
by faith. God stepped in through the open door. We saw 'un-
believers' fall under his touch.
The 90s youth culture was described by social observers as
'Generation X'. These youngsters were a product of a 'post-
modern' society which was technologically advanced but
morally rootless. Though turned off by 'religion' and wary of
pre-packaged answers they were searching for something
solid.
We had many friends like this who opened up to God once
they'd seen his reality amongst us. 'Generation X' could be-
come a generation for Jesus. God seemed to be targeting these
spiritual 'orphans' and many were finding Christ.
Such 'modern believers', as we called them, were very non-
religious. Open, warm and free, especially in worship, these
young men and women were sensitive to atmosphere, hated
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
self-righteousness and were hot on brotherhood. Many were
keen to embrace a life of purity, often in stark contrast to the
way they'd been. Members of 'Generation J' were as uninhib-
ited in their Jesus life as they'd been in their sin. What's more
they were daring.
Youth was not our only mission field. A typical Jesus Army
meeting was a fair cross-section of humanity. However we
still reached far too few people considering the current open-
ness to God. 'Come to us' was the old mindset. This usually
meant church on Sunday. The Jesus mindset was 'go to them';
sit where they sit, meet where they meet — whether in streets,
shops, pubs or homes.
Evangelistic though we were, outreach-orientated though
we'd become, our focus had always been on community
houses. Get people along to the houses and they would find
life. God corrected this. The way we were now growing, com-
munity folk were the minority. The focus swung out to the
wider congregation. Congregation, not just community, was
church. With an expectation of a spontaneous people move-
ment, it was foolish to think otherwise. Could we even keep
up with a revival movement, let alone hang it round commu-
nity?
Our vision and structure adapted to maximise involvement
with the people. Those in their own homes were well placed
to network with locals. Revivals usually ran along the lines of
family and friendship. Homes provided great opportunities
to meet people and home-based cell groups could grow up
into small congregations. We now baptised anyone, anywhere,
who had faith in Jesus. Covenant membership was our strong
heart, but anyone who loved us belonged. We were inclusive.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
God was working fast in the UK. Was our gospel net ready?
Were we geared for growth? We wanted passion and power
but needed structures; wineskins that neither restricted nor
wasted the wine. We believed in the dynamics of revival, with
spiritual anointings being worked out in fruitful activity. God's
goal was to reap the harvest.
Our profile to date was this: one national body, co-ordinated
centrally and motivated by 18 senior men — one vision, one
army, and one united church. This consisted of 75 church
households scattered throughout the UK and led by 200 or so
pastors and their trainees. In all 2,000 members and friends
gathered regularly for our large Jesus Army celebrations.
Central Offices included Enquiries, Communications, Re-
sources and a new Church Growth Department. We distrib-
uted 25,000 magazines and 100,000 streetpapers every quar-
ter as well as See You!, a guide to the 14 Jesus Fellowship
congregations and 8 other Multiply partners in the UK. We
also had a colourful web site on the Internet.
Evangelism included regular household activity plus the
centrally motivated Ignition, EDP, marquee and coach cam-
paigns. Then there were multimedia productions like the re-
cent 'Hot People'.
Strategies for training and nurturing people were firmly in
place as mature brothers and sisters went about fathering
and mothering a new generation. Community houses, with
their raw, hands-on experience of living together gave extra
opportunities for growth in grace — for us all!
Cell groups, 'Agape' love-feasts and household meetings
were weekly features and there were slots in our programme
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
for special nurture evenings, shepherding groups, covenant
bands and leadership training sessions.
Very organised! I sometimes wondered if such tight struc-
ture was really spiritual. But when I considered John Wesley
and General Booth I was reassured. Organisation was a serv-
ant to revival. Anointed men launch spiritual movements. Only
when the anointing fails does the machinery take over and
the movement become a monument. Our task was to keep
the oil flowing.
It was twenty years now since we first saw the vision of a
heavenly city shining through an earthly people. In real terms
that city was more visible than ever before. Maybe we needed
to recover the wild extremity of the pioneer. But we believed
that the Jesus Fellowship was a structure God had prepared
for the hour. We were on schedule.
31 Wild Spirit
1996-7
Nathan and some of the Farm brothers threw themselves into
the jungle of housing that had mushroomed round the edge
of Northampton. There they met with the drifting, searching
youngsters and found acceptance in a whole new network of
friends. Pubs, minibuses, staircases and squats were the ven-
ues of 'mid-week church'; Jesus Army boys sitting, sharing,
singing; new friends passing round the spliffs (among them-
selves!).
Rob 'Rocket' went a step further. Young Rob had come to
us 'a bit religious' but had found a whole new dimension in
brotherly relationships at the Farm. His passion now was to
meet ordinary people. Plain clothed, at first without badge,
cross or 'religion', Rob spent his spare time in town amongst
a new gang of friends, often returning home in the small hours.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
Rob was a good guy to be with (plus he had a car) and got
plenty of invites to parties, clubs and homes. His new mates
soon found he was a Christian, and Jesus Army to boot. That,
if anything, made him more popular. It was cool to have a
Jesus Army guy as a friend. By the time Rob invited them to
his own 'party' they were quite open to the idea. Up to twenty
would trail back to the Farm for supper after 'Sunday Evening
at Spinney'.
One scene sprang out of the Irish Centre in Northampton.
There Rob, Nathan and crew met some lads who were into a
deafening sound-barrage called 'thrash metal'. The musicians
began to find God and three were baptised. On Sunday nights
at Spinney the audience were treated to their contributions
set to Christian lyrics. Noel called them the 'J Boys', an im-
provement on their former (unprintable) name.
One night Rob's mates got him to light a candle to remem-
ber a friend who'd died. As they prayed Rob sensed the pres-
ence of the Holy Spirit. Now these weren't born-again evan-
gelicals. But something was happening. God was there.
Increasingly these 'modern believers' were reaching out to
God. New age shops, with all their colour, fragrance and mys-
tique, were catering to a trend. But the real search was deeper
than any fad or philosophy. We were meeting people who re-
ally wanted to know, who opened their hearts and who prayed.
God was responding too.
There was a move of the kingdom out there among the peo-
ple.
THE JESUS EXPLOSION
The fervour that knows no bounds.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
So ran the first Independent Magazine of 1996.134 The front
cover showed a light bulb. Glowing at its centre was a red
cross. With a new millennium almost upon us, biblical Chris-
tianity was now being hailed by the media as a 'global revolu-
tionary tide'. Its explosive power was the cross.
We often wore red crosses and gave them away at meet-
ings. These bright, visual images symbolised a faith that had
lain dormant in Britain but was rising again. A significant
culture shift was underway with a deep desire for moral
change. Polls indicated that large numbers believed in God
and the Jesus of the gospels who was poor, selfless and spoke
their language. It was church they couldn't cope with.
A major need was to break down the barriers with the peo-
ple, to ditch religious language and to talk sense with the
man in the street. We realised that effective outreach in these
days wasn't blitzing the marketplace or standing on a soap
box. It was being friendly and sensitive to where people were
at.
This was a challenge to many of us who'd lived in a Chris-
tian sub-culture for so long. As Mike 'Rockfast' warned in his
yearly report: 'For some of us old-stagers this will mean com-
ing out from behind our walls of community tradition and
Zion-speak assumptions and engaging in real heart contact
with the rest of the human race!'
God told us to change our attitude towards our home town.
The idea that Northampton was 'hard' stemmed from own
pride. We now began to see the Northampton folk as our
friends. We belonged to them and they to us. They were our
people.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
Noel was much impressed with a South American, Ed Sil-
voso, and his passion for city people. Ed Silvoso believed that
'If you want to reach your city for Christ, you must catch God's
heartbeat. Listen carefully and you will hear two sounds:
none... all. None to perish. All to come to repentance.'135
His book, That None Should Perish, described a strategy of
'prayer evangelism' that had impacted whole cities in Argen-
tina. 'Prayer evangelism' was systematic spiritual warfare
which engaged the enemy in aggressive prayer whilst mobi-
lising cell groups to penetrate into the neighbourhood.
In comparison, our own activity was fairly laid back and
unorganised. Wednesday night cell groups were flexible. This
had its plus points, but there was wasted effort and laziness.
Maybe these cell groups needed motivation and management.
Mobilising our 'troops' into Northampton would also chal-
lenge any complacency in the central church.
We were talking war here. It was useless trying to capture
enemy territory if our own ground was vulnerable and inse-
cure. As Ed Silvoso pointed out, Hezekiah first cleansed the
temple before he was able to convert the city. Our commu-
nity households needed cleansing and reviving.
The spirit of radical pioneering had been our genius over
the years. This had to be recaptured. If residential commu-
nity was to be a minority portion in the church, it must be the
white hot centre, unadulterated and undiluted. Retaking the
central ground was first priority.
We took a special pledge of sacrifice, inspired by the exam-
ple of a dynamic Christian biker club. This was ours:
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
We are the forgiven, the unstoppable. We are commissioned
adventurers, self-deniers, cross-bearers. We pledge ourselves
to the Kingdom cause. We have crossed the line. We will not
give up, let up or slow up. We are pioneers. We cannot be bribed,
compromised or side-tracked. We will not bargain with double-
mindedness, but be pure. We are authorised to conquer Satan,
move mountains, release captives. We will be compassionate.
We will take healing to the lost. We will fulfil our destiny.
Stern stuff — the Pioneers Pledge. With this in mind, we
commissioned our 32 local households to fulfil the vision of
'Pray Northampton'. The town map was marked off into six
districts, sub-divided into sections of about 2,000 people. With
a population of 200,000, the 80 or so cell groups would just
be able to cover each neighbourhood.
Preparation then began in earnest. In some sections we
had homes of friends and members. The beauty of non-resi-
dents was their position among the people. But with or with-
out a home, each cell took one little neighbourhood to heart,
and owned it. This was their parish. Many prayer-walked their
area, feeling the atmosphere, sensing the needs and praying
accordingly. It was time to listen and be led by the Spirit.
Even with this first step some felt a change:
We walked around seven times praying for the breaking down
of strongholds. With each round we understood more of the
needs, found increasing love for the people and longed to meet
them. We felt God moving supernaturally for them and dealing
with our own fears and negativities too.136
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
The next move was to post 'friendship cards' introducing us
as their friends and offering help and prayer (plus a video
and a New Testament). Many people had deeply felt needs
and were much more open to prayer than we had imagined,
as one sister found when she followed up with doorknocking:
A junkie woman invited us in and poured her heart out. Another
lady burst into tears on the doorstep. God is widening our hearts
and it's painful yet beautiful as these ones become dear to us.
When we got home we just wept.137
The vision was to build up six distinct congregations in the
town, one for each of the Pray Northampton districts. We be-
gan this transition slowly. On just one Sunday a month the
large Northampton congregation divided up into six 'neigh-
bourhood' gatherings of around 100 people.
At first the Sunday morning meetings held in various halls
and community centres were not well attended by new friends.
Young people, after a long Saturday night in pubs and clubs,
were hardly geared up to morning meetings however infor-
mal we might make them. Sunday mornings didn't register
with a comatose youth culture!
However I thought the smaller groups were an excellent
challenge for those of us in the central church who'd grown
used to a platform-directed programme on Sunday morning.
Neighbourhood meetings provided another fresh experience
of being church.
The evening celebrations were held as usual in the Spinney
Hill school theatre in Northampton. The atmospheric meet-
ings were becoming very popular. New friends (now wide
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
awake) that our cell groups brought along with them were
attracted by the music, the visuals and the creative exuber-
ance.
Many found the life of the Spirit at these events. This was
church and it was exciting! I was reminded of the early days
at Bugbrooke chapel, when the Northampton hippies, who
were nowhere to be seen before lunch, all turned up for the
vibrant (and sometimes dramatic) evening meetings.
Now, apart from Sunday evenings, it was the team spirit of
mid-week cell groups, meeting in homes and evenings spent
in community houses that gave new friends their bread and
butter experience of church. That spoke of the future.
Nathan and Rob noted the friendly buzz at a popular night-
club. Amidst the lights, mobiles and music, people shared,
flowed, and danced freely with hands raised as if in worship.
Seeing their tremendous potential for God, Rob and Nathan
just wished they could bring them to Jesus, set up a pool on
the dance-floor and baptise them there and then!
These brothers spotlighted the need to get in amongst peo-
ple — not with dogma or a slick answer — but with sensitiv-
ity. We too were searchers, as one song made plain:
I'm still seaching, Lord, on a journey,
Learning, yearning — and yes, I do believe in You.
We hadn't arrived, had we? Christians were so keen for peo-
ple to come to their party. Maybe God was saying, 'I'm out
there amongst the people. Come and join Me.'
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
Steve 'Capable' and his London team were putting this into
practice at 'Heaven', a famous West-End club. The manager
liked the 'footwashers', as he called them, and often led them
out of the queue and escorted them in like kings. Once on the
dance-floor the Jesus team generated a lot of energy, loving
people, handing out red crosses or grapes and praising God
'in the midst of Babylon'.
One night Tony, a Jamaican from Battlecentre, was dancing
up front when there was a sudden hush. Tony took the mo-
ment. 'Who's in the house?' he shouted.
'God!' they all cheered. 'God is in the house!'
The DJ smiled.
That Spring the BBC showed a documentary about the Je-
sus Army. Brothers in Arms focused mainly on the Farm and
their evangelistic exploits with the homeless in London. De-
spite our initial misgivings, it gave a pretty fair, though selec-
tive, portrait of our church and its work. Some came to join
us in community as a result of seeing the film. Many others
expressed their appreciation of what we were doing.
Positive media coverage was helpful but we found God reach-
ing many people through more supernatural means.
Sonja worked as a medical officer in London. She told us
how she was attending a patient after an operation when he
had a sudden heart attack. As the nurses rushed out for the
resuscitation trolley Sonja felt the Spirit's nudge to look at
his arm. He wore an African wristband. She removed it and
prayed against a spirit of witchcraft. Immediately the blood
pressure normalised and he recovered. Later the man told
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
Sonja he was out of his body when she prayed, but the evil
power was broken and he came back. Sonja led him to Jesus.
Dreams and visions played a part in the Spirit's activity
amongst us. This account of a supernatural 'link-up' was re-
ported in Jesus Life:
While praying, Aase saw a deer coming down to a stream to
drink. The setting was a Bavarian forest. The Spirit interpreted
the picture in this way: 'A man is coming from Germany who is
thirsty for more of God. He wants to speak to someone who
speaks fluent German.' Aase passed the wisdom on to Trevor,
one of our German-speaking leaders. A few weeks later in Nu-
remburg, Bavaria, Mathias had a dream. 'I was somewhere in
England talking with a man in his 40s who spoke fluent Ger-
man. He really understood my heart.' Mathias felt that the man
belonged to Pioneer Ministries or the Jesus Army. When he
awoke, the Spirit said, 'This man is Trevor. He will strengthen
your faith.' Mathias mentioned the dream to a friend just back
from the UK; she'd already met Trevor from the Jesus Army.
Mathias wrote a letter and they met up in the UK, both awed
that God had arranged the meeting.138
Another remarkable event was the 'miracle oil'. One
evening, as a few London sisters worshipped together in their
covenant band, a mysterious oil began to appear on their
hands. One sister didn't receive this, so the rest prayed with
her. Soon oil began to appear all over her hands and fore-
head. They then layed hands on someone who was on her
back with chronic neck pain. Her face first turned a healthy
pink, then she got up and danced around.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
One woman, partly deaf through an infection, was healed
after she felt oil dripping into her ear. The healing was im-
pressive but they found the most powerful effect of the 'mira-
cle oil' was new breakthroughs with the locals.
'Pray Northampton' was now well underway, its progress
monitored by a team who turned out bulletins of inspiration,
stories and statistics. As the number of friends slowly in-
creased we considered new ways of nurturing them.
The Alpha Course that had originated from Holy Trinity
Brompton was being well received in Britain. Alpha was a
mid-week introduction to the Christian faith for those inter-
ested but not ready for 'church'. It centred round a meal, an
informal talk and discussion round the table.
We took our cue from Alpha and held a New Friends Course
for our own 'rough and readies' in a modern sports centre.
We used a tailor-made New Friends booklet we'd written in
addition to Why Jesus?139 from Alpha and a colourful booklet,
The Church-Relic of a Bygone Age?140
The question mark was a symbol of the times. But people
were now finding answers in the church. As they were touched
by God, relatives and friends of friends were drawn in. As the
network widened, so the gap between church and people nar-
rowed. We began to see the reality of the multitudes.
The multitudes in New Testament days were the huge num-
bers who were attracted to Jesus, if not yet disciples. The
curious, like Zaccheus who shinned up a tree to get a closer
look, often got more than they bargained for! We wanted to
belong to these 'multitudes' and felt that Jesus ought to be
the national folk hero. At one Festival the band blew a horn
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
and launched into the theme tune of 'Robin Hood', with new
lyrics:
Jesus Army, Jesus Army, moving through the land.
During the song a troop of brothers marched through the
tent in their rainbow jackets and red sweatshirts. My mind
conjured up images of Robin as a type of Christ and Sher-
wood Forest as Christian community (Style 3). I guess we
were the merry men! I smiled. We weren't very adept at rob-
bing the rich, but the poor seemed to like us anyway!
The red sweatshirts were significant. Noel launched 'Jesus
Army Reds' as a new dynamic for our church, but by the end
of the year a 'Jesus Red' described any red-hot, red-alerted,
blood-and-fire Christian. This red thrust put some guts into
being out and out, dare-devils for God. A new dance song
'We're wild and we're Christians!' captured the exuberance
of this 'total consecration' and enthusiasts wore something
red as a declaration of intent.
As some gripped hold of this vision we began to see defi-
nite Jesus Red teams taking shape. Rob, Nathan and Hannah,
all Farm members, were but three examples of people who
naturally gathered friends around them. These warm, charis-
matic youngsters were getting quite a following, especially
amongst the clubbers of Northampton.
'I'm a leader, I'm a leader of Generation J!' was a techno
song, belted out mercilessly at Spinney, which praised this
type of leadership dynamic. These informal friendship cir-
cles were magnetic. People wanted to be part of the team. In
the process they got to know Jesus, the motivator.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
Young leaders began to baptise their converts from the club
scene, sometimes at the break of dawn in a river. Friends
from the club and a few cows looked on in wonder.
The inspiration of the early Celtic Church was now coming
through and encouraged the wild spirit of the Jesus Reds. At
the outset of Christianity in Britain there was a powerful move-
ment of God amongst the Celts. This simple, charismatic broth-
erhood, led by the Holy Spirit (whom they called the 'Wild
Goose') gained a vast influence over the people — so much so
that their searching, pagan culture was turned towards God.
These believers were intuitive creation-lovers who devoted
themselves to a life of hard work and prayer. Marrieds and
celibates often joined together in communal settlements in
wild places like Iona and Lindisfarne. And from these spir-
itual power-houses they ventured out amongst the people,
identifying with them and leading them to Jesus.
Now, many centuries later, God was reminding his people of
these lovable Celts. Roger Ellis was very enthusiastic about
them when we interviewed him:
When I read and prayed about the Celtic Christians, the impact
of God speaking to me was stronger than anything I'd known —
stronger even than Toronto'. I believe God is saying something
prophetically through them. They are a symbol communicating
something to us with regards to mission, community, creation
and creativity. 141
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
When Channel 4 was doing a series on alternative youth
services, one of the team, who was not a Christian, told Roger,
'We've been to 70 of these and the most interesting message
is this one on the Christian Celts. This is the first thing we've
heard that really engages and gives a Christian alternative
as relevant culturally as the New Age movement.'
Primitive, spiritual, colourful; something in these days was
coming through about pre-institutional Christianity. This was
as much for the hungry believer as for 'pagan' seekers. At
one level the appeal was to the mystical, the symbolic. A post-
modern culture was responding to images, music and drama.
They were looking for humble bards not preachers. At an-
other level they were seeking an alternative.
The example of the Celtic Christians helped to clarify the
future role of our community houses. The key to Celtic evan-
gelism was the network of communities which were both mis-
sion centres and spiritual oases. The numbers who embraced
their rigorous lifestyle were small in comparison with the
multitudes caught up in the wider movement. But the com-
munities stood like priests, blessing and serving people.
The Celtic spirit resonated with so much we held dear. It
crystallised our whole apostolic call; combining radical disci-
pleship with a passionate sense of mission. Like them we were
to move with sensitivity amongst the people, showing Jesus
as the answer to their search. Maybe we too, together with
other Christian streams, would see the 'post-modern' culture
of our day powerfully influenced by the gospel.
In the late sixties God moved in a remarkable way upon the
churches of this land. We were one of many little groups at
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS NEW GENERATION
that time who sprang to life through the Holy Spirit. God took
hold of us and opened our eyes. He showed us a people who
had been scattered coming together to live for Jesus and his
kingdom. And we said goodbye to lesser things.
We have seen that vision fulfilled. Now, it seems, we stand
at the threshold of something bigger. God's movement is
among the people and it is spreading daily. We want to be in
the thick of it, where Jesus is.
But that will depend, as ever, on the fire in our hearts.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
Roger Forster interviews
Noel Stanton
We decided to give the last words in this book to Roger For-
ster, the leader of Ichthus Christian Fellowship and Vice-Presi-
dent of TEAR Fund. Roger, who has known us for many years,
agreed to interview Noel and to write an Afterword. In the
interview Roger included questions from his various contacts.
Roger: Noel, why do you think the Fellowship has travelled
such a distinctive road?
Noel: The important factor has been our obedience to the
prophetic directional word. We've received the Spirit's word
as a step-by-step process causing the church to be built. We
haven't 'flirted' with the word by receiving some 'new' direc-
tion and then giving it up and going on to something else.
We've obeyed the word and allowed it to become creative
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
amongst us. That's taken us into a radical kingdom of God
lifestyle as barriers of class and race have come down. It's
included community, discipleship, covenant and all the other
things that have made us controversial!
Roger: Do you think you could have avoided some of the
suspicion you encountered in Christian circles?
Noel: Yes, we could have been more open and trusting of
other Christians. We felt unjustly persecuted, and felt that
accepting isolation was really the only answer. I think we were
wrong in the way it got hold of us.
On the other hand, we have been faced with somewhat hys-
terical opposition, especially from 'anti-cult' groups. Sadly,
many Christians seemed unable to differentiate between
groups opposing heretical movements such as the Jehovah's
Witnesses or the Mormons for reasons of basic truth, and
those 'anti-cult' groups opposing on sociological grounds, who
have a problem with any church moving in strong kingdom-
of-God covenant commitment and zeal.
Now that we have put away the defensiveness that charac-
terised us for a number of years in the heat of the battle we
are flowing much more freely with Christian leadership in
the nation.
Roger: You've received a good deal of personal criticism in
the past. What effect has that had on you?
Noel: At first I found it very difficult, very unjust and very
painful. However I had to come to terms with the fact that
any ongoing work of God will receive the persecutions and
false accusations of which Jesus spoke. In that light I've
learned to accept it as a commendation and a blessing and
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
have come to a point where I'm just about able to pray for my
accusers! Personal criticism has drawn me closer to God,
helped me get rid of prides and caused me to need the breth-
ren.
All of us in prophetic leadership must expect strong criti-
cism. Some of it will be worth listening to. Some of it will
spring out of jealousy. Much of it will come from those carry-
ing particular doctrinal standpoints. In my case, much of it
has been originated by Christians. I find that sad. All in all, of
course, one must see it as belonging to the realm of spiritual
warfare.
Roger: You've put a lot of effort into bridge-building in re-
cent years, Noel. Has it achieved all you hoped it would?
Noel: Generally yes, though it appears some still find us
difficult! Like many others we responded to God's call to af-
firm our brethren and to stand together. It hasn't been a mat-
ter of sacrificing God-given distinctives, but of dismantling
the barriers of mistrust and suspicion.
Roger: How do you see your links with other evangelicals
and charismatics developing?
Noel: We realise that if we are going to make maximum
impact with the gospel then we all have to learn to recognise
other churches and networks and not to compete; to give them
space, refuse to duplicate and so on. The world has to see
that we do love and trust each other. I'm happy about bring-
ing into being more leadership links in those ways.
But distinctives need to be safeguarded. For example,
there's a tendency for people to support a gospel that's far
from full, with no proclamation of water baptism, let alone of
Holy Spirit baptism, discipleship or the use of spiritual gifts.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
We must not compromise! We've all got to bridge the barri-
ers, but also allow one another to develop our own distinc-
tives under the calling of God. We mustn't feel threatened by
one another.
Roger: Why does your leadership appear reluctant to es-
tablish local links rather than just nationally?
Noel: Well I don't think we are reluctant! Sometimes it's
other local leaders who are the reluctant ones! Of course we
are now very widely spread from the south coast up to Liver-
pool and even Glasgow. That all means we've become a na-
tional movement with a need for relationships with national
leaders.
Having said that, we encourage our local leaders, especially
in areas which are new to us, to make contact with other
leaders. There may be liaison over pastoral matters, church
planting, and events like March for Jesus.
Roger: How can we help you overcome the prejudices which
some people hold against you in some of the cities where you
are working?
Noel: First to support our integrity and faith! We're very
keen for Christian leaders to visit us, ask questions, see things
and make whatever enquiries they want. It helps greatly,
Roger, if national leaders speak well of us. I'm always willing
to meet leaders if that would help.
Secondly, we need to be forgiven for situations which have
arisen over the years which we've not handled too well. It's
the way of pioneers to hold to the vision and press into it and
not deal too well with the 'spin-offs'. We've made many mis-
takes in the course of our journey.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
Then we all need to be very careful of hearsay and gossip.
People who have specific criticisms should be encouraged to
speak direct to us. People should also feel free to join us on
the streets, or to attend our events so that they will know
what we're about!
Roger: I notice, Noel, that you sense there are things where
you do need the forgiveness of your brothers.
Noel: There are bound to be cases where hurts have re-
sulted from our handling of situations and we are sorry about
that. We have moved quite fast and not everyone has been
able to keep up with us! So, yes, where we haven't been sen-
sitive to others, we ask forgiveness.
But we are determined to respond to God's word to build.
In the earlier days I was involved in denominational matters
and God said there should be a full concentration on building
the church. That has meant radical commitment on our part.
Working it through has at times been somewhat traumatic
but it has led on into fruitfulness.
Roger: Turning now to some of the questions that people
have asked about the Jesus Fellowship, how do you prevent
over-dependency on the leadership?
Noel: We see it as important that people develop their own
individual identity, ministries and gifts. We emphasise per-
sonal devotions, Bible reading and so on. A personal walk
with God is vital. Speaking generally, while we do believe in
shepherding, I don't think we produce an over-dependence
on the leadership. People soon realise that all leadership is
fallible! But we do believe in discipleship. Our aim is to pro-
duce strong characters — strong men and women of God.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
Roger: Some people have criticised 'authoritarian struc-
tures' that folk picked up off the street have been subjected
to. Do you think there is a value in having a strong authority
to begin with?
Noel: We are, of course, a church and not just a set of com-
munity houses. We have a wide spectrum of commitment. The
majority of our people nowadays are what you might call or-
dinary church members living in their own places. But it's
the more accountable lifestyle of community that gets criti-
cised. In community houses we must have holiness, stand-
ards, discipline. Most people coming off the streets come to
appreciate the need for that. A right authority gives security.
Some, of course, can't cope with the disciplines and move
elsewhere.
Roger: What about suggestions that the Jesus Army takes
advantage of the weak and vulnerable members of society?
Noel: Those suggestions are untrue. Obviously we are keen
to help the poor and needy — that's biblical, after all. Many
are helped on their way in life, often breaking with various
addictions and gaining confidence while they are with us. So-
ciety benefits from this kind of help. A number have real con-
version experiences but relatively few will actually join us. If
anything, Roger, we are the ones that lose out — certainly
financially and in terms of stress! But that's part of our min-
istry.
Roger: And the charge of recruiting people?
Noel: I think Jesus could have been open to that accusa-
tion! We think the Christian faith is good for people. We gladly
say 'Come and join us!' But we wouldn't pressurise a person
into commitment. If people who've found Jesus want to be
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
fully involved, they will normally enquire into everything. We
encourage them to be sure of what we are; our faith and life-
style, our various styles of membership and all that sort of
thing, so that they can make an intelligent decision. And we
have particular safeguards for those under twenty-one who
want to move into community. There's no question of just grab-
bing people and pulling them into what we are, without them
fully understanding what is involved!
Roger: How do you answer the accusations that in commu-
nity there is a potential for breaking up families and separat-
ing those who have joined from families who are outside?
Noel: We've no desire to break up families! Often it works
the other way round, and families are reconciled, especially
young people with parents. Our members generally maintain
good loving contact with their families and visit them regu-
larly, but, as Jesus taught, the gospel does bring tensions. He
made it clear that there would be 'division' in natural fami-
lies, some choosing for him, and some against him.
As for families in our community houses, there is little evi-
dence of serious family break-up. Of course some teenagers
leave when they start work, but they keep in touch.
Roger. Are people encouraged to make friendships outside
the Fellowship?
Noel: Very much so. A lot of new friends are made through
evangelism and work. Friendships with other Christians are
often retained and new ones may develop. And maintaining
contact with non-Christians may lead to their finding Jesus
too. However, it would be difficult if old friends were going to
draw someone back into his old ways and habits, and we would
caution against that kind of bad influence. We would also cau-
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
tion against the 'jungle' of Christianity where people have no
definite commitment to a church.
Roger: What happens when committed members 'break
covenant'? Are there really no bad vibes?
Noel: Of course people are always free to leave us and many
who do so remain on good terms. We have many in our con-
gregations who truly belong to us but have not made cov-
enant. Those that do, accept a covenant of membership with
pledges concerning faith and lifestyle. Covenant does bring a
spiritual obligation. But we never say, Roger, as we've been
accused of saying, that covenant members who leave us are
damned. We do warn them of the dangers of backsliding. But
those who leave us are loved and prayed for.
Roger: Some people think that once you get into a commu-
nity house it's very hard to get out again and that there's
some kind of sinister hold over people.
Noel: That's rather silly! Up to two years is a trial period in
which people can assess their call to community. There's no
problem in their withdrawing during that stage. The trustees
will not accept capital or goods until after at least a year has
passed and then they have the authority to return any wealth
that's been handed in, or to make payments in certain cir-
cumstances.
If established people want to leave community there will
naturally be pastoral activity to understand the problem. In
many cases a move to non-community membership proves
helpful. Others do leave us altogether and, of course, that's
painful.
Roger: Now I've a few questions about money, and it al-
ways raises people's hackles once we start to touch on the
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
alternative god of mammon! Who makes the decisions about
the use of money?
Noel: As far as our businesses are concerned, the directors
or partners. As far as church and community funds are con-
cerned, there are trustees. These are accountable to the mem-
bers and give reports at the annual general meeting.
Roger: Presumably you're on the executives that make those
decisions?
Noel: I'm on a number of the executives, but not all.
Roger: Obviously people are always concerned about the
power that money brings.
Noel: We fully understand the danger of money power. We've
seen how Jesus said, 'Sell your possessions.' We've sought to
move away from the power of personal possessions. Like all
our elders and full community members, I have no personal
possessions or wealth.
Roger: How do the funds get used?
Noel: We accept that all the funds of the church and com-
munity belong to the Lord, and we seek to use them with
wisdom in the Spirit within proper, constitutional, legal and
accounting structures. We don't want to be rich, just to be
able to share the gospel and build the church, including com-
munity. We do not ask the general public for funds and rarely
take collections in our meetings. We spend a fair amount of
money on our evangelistic campaigns and literature. We don't
use money to wield wrong 'influence' over people and soci-
ety, but we do want to spread the gospel and engage in social
action as God directs.
Roger: Do you use your money to support any missionary
or aid organisations which don't actually belong to you?
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
Noel: We have a charity budget and support financially a
few evangelical organisations. We still find the main call of
God on available funds is for direct charity or direct help. We
give 'relief of need' gifts to members and non-members in
cash or kind. There's also a lot of board and lodging that for
one reason or another we never get paid. On top of that, pay-
ing off the debts of people joining us amounts to many thou-
sands of pounds a year. We also have a bursary fund which
pays the costs of several overseas members who are staying
with us. Altogether our outlay must be approaching £100,000
a year.
Roger: Have you given to third world charities or third world
relief over recent years?
Noel: Not directly. We are involved with a number of
churches in Africa and elsewhere in the third world, but we
feel God's main call to the Jesus Army is to reach the poor
and marginalised of Britain.
Roger: How has the Fellowship developed over recent
years?
Noel: We now feel we're an accepted part of the Christian
scene and can concentrate on our particular mission. God
has been refining our community houses. The call to sacrifi-
cial living has been re-emphasised and we're seeing a new
generation keen to take us further.
Most of our recent numerical increase has been outside
community. Learning to flow with people in their pain and
searching has been the main emphasis. We've been tapping
into the modern youth culture. That's meant a culture shock
for some of us, but has borne remarkable fruit.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
People are more open now, Roger, than we've ever seen
them. There's a whole movement of people seeking God. We
want to flow in with this, to be their friends — like Jesus.
Roger: So, you're forward-looking?
Noel: Yes. Definitely!
Roger: What steps are you taking to ensure the continua-
tion of the vision when you are no longer here?
Noel: Our governing body these days is a Senior Leader-
ship of around seventeen men of whom I'm the eldest. Most
of them are in their forties, so I don't think there's much dif-
ficulty in the vision continuing. We've grown together, lived
together and worked out many things together over many
years and the vision is well established in our hearts. At the
same time, we are continually training new leaders. We have
over 200 men in pastoral leadership and as many again in
some stage of leadership training.
Of course in the end one realises that God has got it all in
hand anyway. I'm not a General Booth! I've not written down
my successor's name. It will all be dealt with in the Spirit.
Roger: What in particular do you think God is now saying
to the wider church through the Jesus Fellowship?
Noel: I would suggest that God is pointing to the need for a
church that is welcoming to today's 'modern believers' and
seekers that includes people of all sorts of levels of commit-
ment. It must have a clear identifiable core of truly regener-
ated disciples of Christ Jesus, demonstrating the kingdom of
God in a 'new creation' culture. We've found that Christian
community, in spite of its pressures and problems, is a foun-
dation for this.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
I would also hope that we might show the way of the cross,
of sharing Christ's sufferings.
I think God may challenge other churches through our Je-
sus Army work amongst the neediest in society, especially
those trapped in various forms of evil. We're called to storm
the strongholds of Satan and release the captives. This means
receiving those who are unstable and sticking with them as
they find healing, security and strength.
Roger: Finally, Noel, if you had the choice, would you do it
all again?
Noel: Yes and gladly! But hopefully much better! There are
still unfulfilled visions and dreams that we're working on. Oh
for more holy, radical, Spirit-filled men and women ready to
take up the torch!
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
Afterword by Roger Forster
'Tax collectors can love tax collectors, sinners can love sin-
ners' says Jesus, and adds in Luke 6:32-34 'what grace (charis)
is that?' The test of grace and of true discipleship is, Jesus
goes on to explain, to love those who are different from us.
Sadly, many who would claim Christ's name as theirs have
abandoned the place of grace to criticise those who are dif-
ferent from themselves. The Jesus Fellowship has often been
the victim of such brotherly intolerance and gracelessness.
This volume shows, and their leader has acknowledged, that
they have made mistakes. They have deserved censure and
also at times may have returned it. Which movement or de-
nomination escapes this charge? Christian history is an ap-
palling story of hatred, persecution and intolerance. Conquis-
tadors, inquisitions, burning of dissidents, drowning preach-
ers, vilifications in the twentieth-century press, litter the his-
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
tory of the people who are called to love God, their neigh-
bours, and their enemies as a mark of their loyalty to Christ.
May God forgive us all.
Our God is a triune God, a unity in diversity, a God existing
in varieties, joining our different and various expressions of
obedience, which we give to our triune God, and enabling us
to respect each other's contribution to the oneness Christ
prayed for and won by his crucifixion.
I have known Noel Stanton for over forty years. He has
grown more like his master over this time. I hope I have too.
He has tried hard to build and rebuild lost relationships over
the more recent years, abandoning the movement's earlier
isolation. The Jesus Fellowship, which salvages many dam-
aged people from broken society, has matured. Mistakes have
been admitted, forgiveness asked for: what a grand opportu-
nity to embrace the radical discipleship contribution they have
made to the church, and to be enriched by them.
True Trinitarian believers should not be marginalised. With-
out fellowship, maturity is impossible. Reconciliation is at last
on the agenda, not only in the context of this book and its
history, but throughout the body of Christ. Truly this is a move
of God's Holy Spirit. Accepting the oneness of the body is
essential if the world is to be evangelised and Christ's mis-
sion completed. For Christ's sake let us be radical enough to
love one another! May the Jesus Fellowship story be an in-
centive to this end-time obedience.
Roger Forster
Leader of lchthus Christian Fellowship,
London, UK
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
Keep up to date
If you would like to keep abreast of the Jesus Fellowship story,
write for our free Jesus Life magazine. We'll be glad to offer
any other help or information we can.
Jesus Fellowship Central Offices
FREEPOST
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Northampton NN7 3BR
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Phone: (01327) 344511
Fax:(01327) 344512
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.jesus.org.uk
Also available is a variety of Christian resources:
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
Live worship tapes and CDs
Worship cassettes of new and old songs convey the anointed
atmosphere of the Celebrate Jesus events and other gather-
ings where they were recorded. The tapes feature Jesus Fel-
lowship songs, as well as other current material and redis-
covered hymns.
Videos and DVDs
Jesus Fellowship videos show the Jesus Army in action and
cover the worship, ministry and other highlights of various
powerful meetings.
Books and Booklets
Multiply Publications produce a range of books and booklets
containing teaching and information.
Other Resources
Tee-shirts, sweatshirts, crosses, stickers and badges form part
of the Jesus Army's campaign to let the name of Jesus be
heard on the streets.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
Notes
1 Such Is Our Story: A Brief History of Bugbrooke Baptist Church 1805-1955, Payne, E and Perkin, James (Carey Kingsgate Press, 1955).
2 ibid
3 In The Day Of Thy Power Wallis, Arthur (CLC, 1956).
4 Evangelism Today August 1974.
5 The Cross and the Switchblade Wilkerson, Dave (Spire Books, 1964).
6 Evangelism Today August 1974.
7 ibid
8 Buzz April 1986 'Bugbrooke — Cultic or Christlike?'
9 Face Up With A Miracle Basham, Don (Voice Christian Publications, 1967).
10 Northampton Chronicle and Echo June 19 1972.
11 ibid
12 ibid
13 The Normal Christian Life Nee, Watchman (Victory Press, 1961).
14 Jesus Power Win, Sherwood (Coverdale House, 1972).
15 Run Baby Run Cruz, Nicky with Sherrill, John (Logos, 1968).
16 Letter from a communist student to his girlfriend.
17 Pastor J Sands.
18 The Cost Of Discipleship Bonhoeffer, Dietrich (SCM, 1959).
19 Love Not The World Nee, Watchman (Victory Press, 1968).
20 The Set of the Sail Tozer A W (Christian Publications [CP], 1986).
21 A New Way of Living Harper, Michael (Hodder and Stoughton, 1973).
22 ibid
23 ibid
24 ibid
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
25 The Daily Mail 16 Sept 1973.
26 New Society 20 Sept 1973.
27 The Daily Telegraph 26 June 1974.
28 The Root of the Righteous Tozer, A W (CP, 1955).
29 Worship — The Missing Jewel Tozer, A W (CP).
30 That Incredible Christian Tozer, A W (CP, 1964).
31 Pray in the Spirit Wallis, Arthur (Victory Press, 1970).
32 Nine O'Clock in the Morning Bennet, Dennis (Logos Int, 1970).
33 Pat Bilbrough, Thankyou Music.
34 Dust of Death Guinness, Os (IVP, 1975).
35 ibid
36 ibid
37 ibid
38 Enough is Enough Taylor, John (SCM, 1975).
39 ibid
40 ibid
41 Disciple Ortiz, Juan-Carlos (Lakeland, 1976).
42 The Radical Christian Wallis, Arthur (Kingsway, 1981).
43 Disciple Ortiz, Juan-Carlos (Lakeland, 1976).
44 'Charismatic Crisis' article by Harper, Michael.
45 Restoration in the Church Virgo, Terry (Kingsway, 1985).
46 House Churches Will They Survive? Noble, John, Introduction by Forster, Roger (Kingsway, 1988).
47 Rain From Heaven Wallis, Arthur (Hodder and Stoughton, 1979).
48 Pilgrims of a Common Life Saxby, Trevor (Herald Press, 1987).
49 ibid
50 ibid
51 ibid (modern paraphrase).
52 The Life of David Brainerd (Baker Book House).
53 Against the Tide Kinnear, Angus (Kingsway, 1973).
54 The Radical Christian Wallis, Arthur (Kingsway, 1981).
55 Renewal magazine No 87, June/July 1980.
56 New Wine magazine, Baxter, Ern, Jan 1980.
57 New Wine Basham, Don, Feb 1980.
58 Oxford Journal March 14 1980.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
59 Baptist Times April 10 1980.
60 Baptist Times April 24 1980.
61 Pilgrims of a Common Life Saxby, Trevor (Herald Press, 1987).
62 Thy Kingdom Come Baxter, Ern (CGM Publications, 1977).
63 'The New Creation At Bugbrooke' Jebb, Stanley in Renewal Sept 1982.
64 Evangelism Today Oct 1980.
65 Buzz Aug 1980.
66 Buzz Oct 1980.
67 Buzz Aug 1980.
68 'Fair Official Information Document' Sept 5 1978.
69 ibid
70 News Of World April 12 1981.
71 Azusa St Bartleman, Frank (Logos Int., 1980).
72 You Are My God Watson, David (Hodder and Stoughton, 1983).
73 Restoration magazine March/April 1981.
74 Restoration magazine May/Jun 1982.
75 Jesus People Lifenews 1 1984.
76 Mercury and Herald 17 March 1984.
77 Restoring the Kingdom Walker, Andrew (Hodder and Stoughton, 1985).
78 Jesus People Lifenews 2 1984.
79 ibid
80 Holy Fire Urquhart, Colin (Hodder and Stoughton, 1985) also Faith For The Future (Hodder and Stoughton, 1982).
81 Buzz June 1985.
82 Buzz April 1986.
83 ibid
84 The Fight Of Your Life Calver, Clive and Copley, Derek (Kingsway, 1986).
85 Leaning Into The Wind Christian Life 1983 (Kingsway, 1985) foreword by Calver, Clive.
86 Church Adrift Matthew, David (Marshalls, 1985).
87 Sabbatical Report 1986 Ferris, Roger Swallownest Baptist Church.
88 Power Evangelism Wimber, John and Springer, Kevin (Hodder and Stoughton, 1985).
89 Jesus Army magazine No 1 Sept/Oct 1986.
90 Nottingham Trader May 28 1986.
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
91 Sunday Mirror September 14 and 21 1986.
92 ibid
93 Jesus Army magazine No 1 Sep/Oct 1986.
94 C. T. Studd Grubb, Norman (Lutterworth Press).
95 Buzz April 1986.
96 Jesus Lifestyle No 8 2nd Quarter 1989.
97 ibid
98 John 18:6 Acts 9:4, 10:10, 11:5, 22:17 2 Corinthians 12:2 Revelation 1:17,4:2.
99 Jesus Lifestyle No 6 Autumn 1988.
100 See 2 Chronicles 5:14.
101 21st Century Christian July 1989.
102 For prophetic drama, see Acts 21:11 Ezekiel 4:1 Jeremiah 13:1, 19:1,27:2.
103 Paris, Twila Ariose Music 1988.
104 See Acts 10:9 ff.
105 Jesus Lifestyle 4th Quarter 1989, reprinted from Equipping The Saints Summer 1989.
106 Jesus Lifestyle 3rd Quarter 1990.
107 The Gravedigger File Guinness, Os (Hodder and Stoughton, 1983).
108 Daily Mirror 5 March 1991.
109 'Christian' England Brierley, Peter (Marc Europe, 1991).
110 Daily Mirror 5 March 1991
111 ibid
112 The Independent on Sunday 13 Jan 1991.
113 Daily Mirror 5 March 1991
114 ibid
115 Fire in our Hearts Cooper & Farrant (1st edition Kingsway Publications, 1991), Foreword.
116 'Christian' England Brierley, Peter (Marc Europe 1991).
117 Alpha Oct 1991.
118 Elle Nov 1991.
119 Spiritual Power and Church Growth Wagner, Peter (Hodder and Stoughton, 1987).
120 Jesus Lifestyle 3rd Quarter 1989.
121 DAWN 2000 Montgomery, Jim (Highland, 1989).
122 Jesus Lifestyle 2nd Quarter 1991.
123 The Radical Kingdom Wright, Nigel (Kingsway Publications, 1986).
FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
124 Renewal June 1992.
125 Jesus Lifestyle 1st Quarter 1992.
126 Jesus Revolution Streetpaper 3rd Quarter 1992
127 The Magician's Nephew Lewis, C.S. (The Bodley Head, 1955).
128 Jesus Revolution Streetpaper 4th Quarter 1993.
129 Jesus Life 3rd Quarter 1994.
130 Jesus Life 2nd Quarter 1994.
131 Signs of Revival Dixon, Patrick (Kingsway Publications, 1994).
132 Evangelism in the Early Church Green, Michael (Hodder and Stoughton, 1970).
133 Jesus Life 2nd Quarter 1996.
134 The Independent Magazine 6 Jan 1996.
135 That None Should Perish Silvoso, Ed (Regal Books, 1994).
136 Wind & Wine 3 Pray Northampton bulletin, March 1996.
137 Wind & Wine 9 Pray Northampton bulletin, Sept 1996.
138 Jesus Life 2nd Quarter 1996.
139 Why Jesus?' Gumbel, Nicky (Kingsway Publications, 1991).
140 The Church — Relic of a Bygone Age? Halloway, Andrew (CPO, 1995).
141 Jesus Life 1st Quarter 1997