Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTSNEW GENERATIONwhether zealous Christian couples or streetwise Jasons whocame, like Jesus Live, ‘raw, deep and from the heart’. Herewas our future.Since 1989 the focus had been on communication with fellowChristians and with the youth culture. Whilst retaining this,God’s spotlight now turned on the heart of the church. Werealised that it was only apostolic character that could produceapostolic fruit. Mellowness was good but the future layin courageous mission, passion and self-denial.The Jesus Army had become a national movement. Noel’sministry maintained a strong, united vision. But now we’dspread throughout the UK the need was for key men to bringthat kind of apostolic spirit to their own regions. Noel wasnearly 70 and his mantle must eventually fall on a new generation.The Jesus Fellowship was now undergoing a major transformation.Only apostolic power would ensure that the newversion would be belter than the old. The torch must be passedon. Inspired leaders and their spiritual ‘sons’ must reinforcethe simplicity, sharing and sacrifice that was the heart of our‘Zion’ vision.This was what searchers were crying out for; somethingsolid and undiluted. ‘Looking for a cause to fight for’ was apopular song in Jesus Live. Youth were drawn to the bold, thewild and the strong; definitely not middle-class boredom, butrisky adventure, challenge and exploring the limits. Red-hotChristian brotherhood fitted the bill. We had become culturallyrelevant. That was a good step. But it was our holy visionthat really brought in the radicals.376