Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTSCITY ON A HILLAt the Farm, the ‘brotherhood’ was at times more naturalthan spiritual. Cattle-men reacted against the thought of ‘morepressure’ and some wondered whether it was all worth it.But Noel upheld the vision and refused to lessen our standardsof diligence and holiness.When Kelly lunched at the Farm, he was at times sandwichedbetween an overburdened pastor and a discouraged brotherhood.Noel needed support, especially in the face of all thecriticism from outside. ‘No man can take the strain alone andremain inspired,’ thought Kelly and urged Noel to lean moreon other senior brothers. In July a group of seven were recognisedas a ‘Covering Authority’.The spiritual battle was fierce all round, and not just at theFarm. It was the price of moving against the tide. Snipingcame from within our own ranks and some of our outsidesupporters tended to draw back in the face of the constantcriticism we received. How long could we go on pioneering?Many were burdened in prayer. Val would often cry out toGod and at times all she could get out was, ‘Oh God, save ourchurch!’ and then just tears and speaking in tongues.‘The powers of darkness were doing their utmost to destroyus,’ she later wrote. ‘Our witness was vital and I prayedfor our leaders to be men of strength and unity. I was burdenedfor the state of the nation, and for Zion that she mightstand. The future for us and for our children was at stake.’Mobilising a community of 600 was no mean task and manyhad settled down. Noel continued to exhort and motivate usfearlessly. At times he roared on the platform and purred athome. At others he purred on the platform and roared at home!Paul’s directions were to ‘encourage and rebuke with all au-223