Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
NEW GENERATION
Young leaders began to baptise their converts from the club
scene, sometimes at the break of dawn in a river. Friends
from the club and a few cows looked on in wonder.
The inspiration of the early Celtic Church was now coming
through and encouraged the wild spirit of the Jesus Reds. At
the outset of Christianity in Britain there was a powerful movement
of God amongst the Celts. This simple, charismatic brotherhood,
led by the Holy Spirit (whom they called the ‘Wild
Goose’) gained a vast influence over the people — so much so
that their searching, pagan culture was turned towards God.
These believers were intuitive creation-lovers who devoted
themselves to a life of hard work and prayer. Marrieds and
celibates often joined together in communal settlements in
wild places like Iona and Lindisfarne. And from these spiritual
power-houses they ventured out amongst the people,
identifying with them and leading them to Jesus.
Now, many centuries later, God was reminding his people of
these lovable Celts. Roger Ellis was very enthusiastic about
them when we interviewed him:
When I read and prayed about the Celtic Christians, the impact
of God speaking to me was stronger than anything I’d known —
stronger even than Toronto’. I believe God is saying something
prophetically through them. They are a symbol communicating
something to us with regards to mission, community, creation
and creativity. 141
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