Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKEIn May Gerald Coates came for a week. He was a dynamicyoung man, one of many charismatic leaders in the UK whomArthur Wallis sought to draw together in a vision for restored,biblical Christianity. Two streams were emerging in the charismaticmovement. One sought for ‘renewal’ within the denominations,the other for a ‘restoration’ of New Testamentchurch life. Gerald had left his Brethren assembly to form ahouse group in Cobham. Like Bugbrooke they were findingreal relationships and even greater liberty. The problems ofdealing with people of widely different views didn’t exist intheir type of house church, and Noel envied their biblical simplicity.Gerald ministered with great freedom, weeping as he spokeof the grace of Jesus. One of the ladies was healed of a deformedhand and news of this rippled through the village. Asa reward, Gerald was given the task of visiting some of thetraditional chapel folk. But he didn’t get very far. The flamboyantyoung fellow was hardly their idea of ‘the minister’!Gerald taught from the book of Haggai, a prophet endearedto the house churches.‘“You expected much, but it turned out to be little,”’ he read,referring to the hope of revival.‘“Why? Because of my house, which remains a ruin, whileeach of you is busy with his own house.”’ Gerald pressed forradical commitment.‘“Go... and build the house,”’ he read with excitement, ‘ “sothat I may take pleasure in it and be honoured, says the Lord.”’‘An enthusiastic remnant rebuilt the temple in their day,’Gerald explained, as he paced around. ‘So must we in ours!We must restore the purity of the church. God is looking for54