Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKEfriends coming up the steps. Paddy was taken aback but likedtheir ‘vibe’. Kelly and Johnny had some interesting stories.Paddy and John Cornish were intrigued by this Jesus trip,and paid a visit to Bugbrooke. As a result, Kelly and Norma’scottage and the manse soon came to be known as places whereyou could get a lot of friendship and a good conversation aboutreligion! Bugbrooke might be a bit ‘far out’ (five miles), but itwas worth the ride.The following week Noel met Rufus, a vegetarian and a religiousfreak. He was into the drug scene in London and frequentlytook the hippy trail to Glastonbury and Cornwall. Atnineteen, he had done two years with the Royal ShakespeareCompany, worked for television and appeared in the film ofWar and Peace. Rufus was on the road to stardom.His wife, Jessie, lived with his mum in Northampton, andRufus travelled to and fro, dealing acid on the quiet. He disdainedthe junk pushers (John Cornish and Paddy were alreadyfixing heroin) but was happy to sell his ‘sweet dreams’.LSD, in his eyes, was a mind-opening path to religious experience:enlightenment was his goal.Noel sailed in. ‘This guy’s quite interesting,’ Paddy whisperedto Rufus as Noel approached. Rufus broke off his mantraand gave him a quick suss. Noel’s face looked alive.‘Hello. Bless you!’ Noel said warmly. ‘I’m Noel from theJesus People. Have you got a faith in God?’‘Yeh,’ said Rufus, ‘I’ve just been praying to the angels —you know — conversing with the powers of light.’62