Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKEAt Matlock the theme of commitment was foremost. Fulfilmentof ministry in the church was a priority, and jobs in theworld came second.The leaders called six of those recently baptised into thecentre of the room. Hands were laid on them, and words ofwisdom and prophecy given concerning their ministries withinthe church. This became a regular practice after the exampleof Paul and the elders laying hands on Timothy (2 Tim 1:6),and the fellowship called it ‘ministry for ministries’.Matlock was a time of dancing and fun and sharing. Communitywhetted their appetite for closer fellowship, and thehub was restored. When they got back to chapel you couldtell who had been to Matlock: they danced!At this point, I (Simon*) turned up from Oxford with the latestWatchman Nee books under my arm. My home was nearbyand I had just finished my zoology degree. I’d gone as a confirmedatheist but a sudden encounter with God’s love hadbrought me to Jesus and gave me a longing for the reality ofNew Testament Christianity.Entering Bugbrooke Chapel was like walking into a sea oflife. It was very colourful, very diverse and very turbulent. Iwas met by warm unpretentious villagers, a host of Jesus teeshirts,and a bunch of freshly converted hippies. Comingstraight out of the Christian Union it was all a bit overpowering,but was just what I needed.It was a good time to arrive. People were being convertedand filled with the Spirit all over the place. The church hadvision. Noel’s preaching was biblical and full of passion. I73* See preface