Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKE
gelistic work in Northampton. When she went off for a year’s
teacher-training in London, she thrilled to hear some of the
best preachers of the day. Her horizons were widened and
her faith stirred.
Then she came home to Bugbrooke to find her dear old
chapel rather disappointing. Everyone was sincere, but the
little group of evangelicals among them was discouraged.
They tried to keep up their spirits and hope in God. But it was
hard work.
By 1951, things had reached a low ebb. The third minister
in ten years had moved on and the little flock was shepherdless
yet again. The grass looked greener at the Free Evangelical
Church in Northampton, where Pastor Barnes was a wellknown
champion of the gospel. In desperation, Verna and her
friends went to see him. He listened thoughtfully as they unburdened
their frustrations and he promised to seek God’s
wisdom for them.
When they returned a week later, he said: ‘Well, I’d love to
have you, but the Lord has given me a definite word for you:
“Stay where you are. Be much in prayer and fellowship. Be
faithful and obedient. The time will come when you will see
the hand of the Lord stretched out in blessing on this church
at Bugbrooke.”’
So they took heart. One dauntless soul had never dreamed
of giving up. Miss Campion simply prayed harder. This retired
Rugby School matron had grown up in the days of Queen
Victoria, and was a force to be reckoned with! As Chapel Secretary,
she soon found a new minister. He and his wife were a
pleasant couple, but, ‘Where’s the power of the gospel?’
thought Verna.
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