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Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

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FIRE IN OUR HEARTS<br />

ON THE MARCH<br />

Many did to a high degree, and some of <strong>our</strong> deepest prophetic<br />

wisdom came from non-residents, who were often very<br />

grateful for what those <strong>in</strong> the community houses easily took<br />

for granted. They were frequently around, stayed overnight,<br />

were active on the prayer watch, and used the Food Distribution<br />

Centre. They carried a vision for their neighb<strong>our</strong>hood,<br />

and opened their homes to us. Non-residents were vital.<br />

All new members belonged to a servant group and a discipl<strong>in</strong>g<br />

band, as well as hav<strong>in</strong>g a shepherd and a ‘car<strong>in</strong>g brother’<br />

or sister. They were ‘bone of <strong>our</strong> bone’ and part of <strong>our</strong> ‘family’.<br />

A smaller proportion fell away than is normal with more<br />

impersonal big mission evangelism. After a year some twenty<br />

per cent of <strong>our</strong> new members were not actively with us. Even<br />

that was heartbreak<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

We pushed further afield. Stoke was <strong>our</strong> northern frontier,<br />

and Mick ‘Temperate’ visited two friends there, Pete and John,<br />

who had ‘split’ from New Creation Hall some years ago. Pete’s<br />

mother hadn’t slept properly for two years, but after they<br />

prayed, she overslept and was late for work the next morn<strong>in</strong>g!<br />

Soon Mick had a coach team <strong>in</strong> Stoke where they met<br />

one of John’s friends. He sat <strong>in</strong> the meet<strong>in</strong>g and, when the<br />

call to Christ was made, he felt someone jabb<strong>in</strong>g him <strong>in</strong> the<br />

back. He turned round, but no one was there! He was converted<br />

that night.<br />

Roy and Maggie encountered the supernatural, too. Roy<br />

had been a Christian for twenty years, but felt dry. What’s<br />

more, he didn’t believe <strong>in</strong> miracles — until he met someone<br />

who radiated life and spoke <strong>in</strong> tongues. He welcomed Mick’s<br />

servant group to Stoke and was filled with the Spirit. But<br />

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