Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
NEW GENERATION
One woman, partly deaf through an infection, was healed
after she felt oil dripping into her ear. The healing was impressive
but they found the most powerful effect of the ‘miracle
oil’ was new breakthroughs with the locals.
‘Pray Northampton’ was now well underway, its progress
monitored by a team who turned out bulletins of inspiration,
stories and statistics. As the number of friends slowly increased
we considered new ways of nurturing them.
The Alpha Course that had originated from Holy Trinity
Brompton was being well received in Britain. Alpha was a
mid-week introduction to the Christian faith for those interested
but not ready for ‘church’. It centred round a meal, an
informal talk and discussion round the table.
We took our cue from Alpha and held a New Friends Course
for our own ‘rough and readies’ in a modern sports centre.
We used a tailor-made New Friends booklet we’d written in
addition to Why Jesus? 139 from Alpha and a colourful booklet,
The Church-Relic of a Bygone Age? 140
The question mark was a symbol of the times. But people
were now finding answers in the church. As they were touched
by God, relatives and friends of friends were drawn in. As the
network widened, so the gap between church and people narrowed.
We began to see the reality of the multitudes.
The multitudes in New Testament days were the huge numbers
who were attracted to Jesus, if not yet disciples. The
curious, like Zaccheus who shinned up a tree to get a closer
look, often got more than they bargained for! We wanted to
belong to these ‘multitudes’ and felt that Jesus ought to be
the national folk hero. At one Festival the band blew a horn
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