Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
ON THE MARCH
‘God healed me of addiction,’ wrote Jamie. ‘Mind you, life
hasn’t been a bed of roses since!’
RACISM IS ABOLISHED! was another caption, under which
Nathan and a white brother grinned contentedly at the general
public.
‘Miracles, healing, supernatural experiences, and speaking
in tongues — its all part of daily life for the Jesus People
of Bugbrooke,’ proclaimed the Mercury 76 .
People had been healed physically but also emotionally from
the pains of broken marriages, loneliness and rejection. ‘Jesus
comes with good news for the poor,’ we sang, and other
songs began to pour out identifying with people’s heartbreak
and their need for God’s love. Guitars appeared in public again
and some of us led songs from the platform. Even Noel wrote
lyrics. When twenty songs appeared on the notice sheet it
was fun guessing who wrote which!
We launched into praise. Tambourines and banjos were effective
for street singing and violins, trumpets, and recorders
were also heard (in moderation).
‘Shout! O shout! O shout for joy!’ we sang. (And was that
Rufus back on the bongos?)
‘Yes, we’ll celebrate Jesus, we’ll shout and cheer and sing!’
(What! The Jesus Fellowship cheering and shouting?) We loosened
up after years of deep, serious community, helped on by
songs from Mission Praise.
Other radical churches evangelised in earnest around this
time. Andrew Walker remarked, ‘This first organised assault
by the “restored kingdom” upon the secular world was begun
only when leaders felt that the kingdom base was now
secured.’ 77
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