Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTSON THE MARCHHe could see the Army in action — banners waving, coloursflying, guitars strumming, shouts ringing, and the name ofJesus echoing through the streets. The Jesus Army! It wouldbe a beacon to the masses and a cause for the radical. It meantcommitment, compassion, loyalty and self-sacrifice.We quoted C. T. Studd in our magazine:I would sooner have a few dare-devil, care-for-nothing-and-nobodysoldiers aflame with love for Christ than a million workersjust ten per cent below the standard... Christ’s call is to raiseliving churches of souls amongst the destitute, to capture menfrom the very jaws of hell, to enlist and train them for Jesus andto make them into an almighty Army for God. This can only beaccomplished by a red-hot unconventional, unfettered HolyGhost religion. Soldiers of Jesus! Nail the colours to the mast! 94Jackets would be purchased. Colours would be displayed —army green, red for the blood of Jesus, white for purity, blackfor the darkness and gold for God’s glory. We would buy adouble decker and paint it up in Jesus Army colours — andthe coaches, Crusader 1 and 2. Patches would be ordered —and badges, arm bands, khaki shirts, flags and banners! Wewould march in London! There in Trafalgar Square we wouldread the Jesus Army Manifesto. But first there would be acommissioning in Northampton Town Hall, and this time wewould invite the press!On April 18th, 1987, the Jesus Army was born.A long column, something under a thousand strong, movedthrough the busy shoppers. Combat jackets, banners and ex-282