Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTSCOMMUNICATE!found a family.’ That said it all. Sadly this noble African refugeewas seriously ill and the first to grace our new burialground at Cornhill. Zion was truly a home for the widow, theorphan and the stranger.At Palm Tree I delved into the writings of former radicalChristians and noted the frequent use of the word ‘Zion’. Inspirationallyit described the church. But it wasn’t that simple.In scripture, ‘Zion’ could mean natural Israel, the churchor the heavenly city. I felt it was a touch of heaven when ‘brothersdwell together in unity’ — but I’m a poet.One evening I sat down with Andrzej and asked what ‘Zion’meant to him. He responded with total enthusiasm: ‘It waslike when I first met Sharron. Something leapt inside.’Andrzej gesticulated, flinging his arms around wildly.‘I was Catholic, you see... charismatic. But I longed to seeevangelism, community. You know... the zeal of the earlychurch. So did Sharron. Well, we met the Jesus Army singingin Sheffield. Ian ‘Greatheart’ was playing a banjo in the square.I can see his face now. God spoke to us and we started comingaround. It was all so exciting — the vision — everything.It was like... like falling in love again. Zion! You know! It wasjust like coming home... coming home.’He sank back exhausted with inspiration. I laughed. Buthis heart fire had touched me. The next morning I grabbed apen:351