Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKE‘Oh no!’ she thought. The Lord was urging her to speak.She got up, made her way to the front and began nervously.‘I was hearing things I hadn’t even thought about — Godworking miracles today! People having a relationship withJesus! I came the next night, and — wow! I felt warm inside.Then laughter started to flood from my mouth. I was so happywith Jesus — I felt my inside was bursting out!’The congregation fell about laughing. Paddy waved a tambourineand shouted ‘Glory!’Yvonne blushed and giggled. ‘My mum thought I’d gone offmy rocker! But now she’s really keen. She’s here tonight andshe’s coming to my baptism tomorrow!’ The hall burst intoapplause and her mum hid her face in her hands.Yvonne was baptised with seven others the next evening.What a mix it was, too. It included a large housewife, a nurse,a black lady, Malcolm’s physics teacher, and an eccentric oldchap plastered in Jesus badges. It was beautiful to see themat the same level in Christ.Kelly’s and Verna’s cottages were filling up and it was gettingdifficult to accommodate our many visitors. We began tothink in terms of a large community house, and John Thomwas keen to pioneer.The seeds of community living had already been well sown.The last three holidays proved the worth of being together.What’s more, Noel was impressed by Rufus. Something inNoel, the smart minister and business man, responded to hishippy lifestyle that scorned the world’s values, lived simply,and sought some kind of spiritual brotherhood. It was out ofthis culture that the Jesus People had arisen, and Noel, al-76