Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
ON THE MARCH
and we needed to nurture them more effectively. Administration
improved, although no amount of organisation could take
the place of the life of the Spirit.
As the Jesus Army began to take shape, some of us hoped
we wouldn’t go overboard on this military thing. After all,
Jesus Army was only our campaigning arm, the church on the
streets. As for the Salvation Army, they had been brilliant at
soul-winning, but had neglected baptism, communion, charismatic
gifts, and much that makes for a full-orbed New Testament
church. Their outdoor, go-for-the-worst approach was
superb, their holiness stance admirable, and their concept of
the battle, marvellous — but their captains, peak caps and
uniforms were a bit over the top. ‘At least there’ll be no uniforms
for us!’ we thought.
Meanwhile, Noel had been noticing the combat jacket that
the leader of Operation Mark was wearing.
‘Ummm,’ he thought, ‘there’s a manly image. They’re easily
available and cheap... Let me see now — 300 men’s jackets...
Sisters can have green skirts... We need to be an identifiable
people on the streets.
‘Yes. The Jesus Army! Now what about the logo? The cross
must be central to it. Ah yes! A blood red cross between JE-
SUS and ARMY, and below LOVE, POWER AND SACRIFICE!
That’s it — a people who live sacrificially.
‘“The Army with a heart to fight for you!” can be the motto.
Booth was right! An army of the blood of Jesus and the fire of
the Holy Spirit — but also of covenant with God and with our
brethren. Yes, BLOOD! FIRE! AND COVENANT! That must
be our battle cry.’
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