Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
ON THE MARCH
Heartcry focused on areas of need: homelessness, alcoholism,
racism, abortion, AIDS, drug addiction, violence, prostitution
and crime. It was great to tell the stories of those who
had broken free. We issued a ‘blood and fire’ edition of Jesus
Army magazine. ‘We declare WAR!’ it read, ‘on behalf of every
man, woman and child in need of God’s life-changing love.’
Two brothers were arrested in Soho for obstruction. The
pimps had got annoyed — the gospel wasn’t too good for business!
The case was dismissed and we were awarded costs.
All this appeared in the press. Our courage grew. We prayed
on the street and often people felt a touch of God.
‘I met a Jewish man in London,’ wrote Bill ‘Truthful’. ‘We
talked and I prayed with him to receive the Spirit. As I laid
hands on him and spoke in tongues, he reeled backwards under
the power of God. “Where did you learn Hebrew?” he
asked as he got up!’
We became well-known as people recognised our jackets.
Street kids found us unusually down to earth and friendly for
Christians. ‘Anyone in the Jesus Army is a friend of mine!’
said one skinhead. At London’s Cardboard City, Victor’s wife,
Sheila, was treated with reverence — like a nun. They even
called her Sister. With her Army headscarf she looked like
one!
Channel 4 filmed us at the Glastonbury Festival when we
took our Crusader 2 bus there in July. Several came back from
the new age hippy scene and joined us in community. Two of
them had their wedding in chapel. The local newspaper
showed them in uniform with an archway of flags behind them.
The sister’s kit included a green skirt, blue body warmer, khaki
blouse and headscarf. Brothers, as ever, wore jeans.
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