Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKEple to the meetings in two minibuses. It seemed the villagewas being invaded by these colourful, hairy drop-outs andunwashed bikers. (Pete Matt and Carol had some interestingguests at their wedding!) Some hung around outside or evennipped over the wall into the neighbour’s back garden to enjoya quiet ‘joint’. She wasn’t very amused!The police became aware of the chapel link with the drugscene and the amazing changes in some of their clients. Paddyappeared in court for supplying methadone. He would normallyhave been sent down, but in view of his conversion, themagistrate took a lenient course. ‘The Jesus Movement’, saidthe defence, ‘has done something for this young man whenhe was heading in one direction only — borstal.’ 11There was a danger that the chapel would become a placeof drug dealing. It wasn’t easy to keep order. Noel spoke of‘upholding the holy name of God’, and maintaining disciplinein the camp. The chapel was to be treated with respect andsmoking and drugs were strictly banned. However, a fightbroke out in the manse car park between the bikers. The frontdoor was kicked in and the police were called out.Village teenagers would swarm around, too, fascinated bythe goings on. They would sit on the wall of the Baker’s Armsand cheer the Jesus freaks as they went in and out of chapel.Chapel members were losing their aura of respectability asthey learned to share ‘not only the gospel of God but [their]lives as well’ (1 Thess. 2:8). Time, money, prayer and patience,burdens, disappointments and tears were all thrown into thiswork. John Thom was always on duty. He seemed never tosleep!68