Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKEout a low whistle. He wasn’t your average Christian. But hedidn’t need to be — not for what was coming.Back in the freshly-painted chapel, Kelly’s eyes scanned thebalcony. ‘Perhaps violet was going a bit far,’ he thought, andsmiled as he watched Noel waiting for the choruses to end.Noel still looked the smart Baptist minister, but under thedark suit a charismatic rebel was burning.Thirty youngsters had turned up in two minibuses that summerevening, and the chapel was packed and buzzing.‘Man!’ whispered one lad, tugging at his friend. ‘The lovekinda hits you!’‘Yeh! They’re all tripped out on something,’ said the other.They sniggered and hid behind their song books.Verna beamed behind the new electronic organ. A coupleof guitars joined in as she played ‘Sweep over my soul’ forthe umpteenth time. A murmur of praise then rose up andflowed into a new chorus: ‘He has given me the wine to makemy heart rejoice, and the oil to make my face to shine!’Miss Campion sat towards the back with a twinkle in hereyes. Her Baptist severity had given way to a glow of glory.Some of the leather-jacketed youths didn’t know what to makeof it. They eyed each other and Miss Campion, and nervouslyedged towards the door. A few of their mates had already litup outside. Soon Noel was throwing out the challenge of aradical following of Christ. His theme was the ‘Jesus Revolution’.News of a movement among the American hippies was leakinginto Britain. Flower power had been invaded by the gospeland there were amazing stories of deliverance from drugs57