Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
People are more open now, Roger, than we’ve ever seen
them. There’s a whole movement of people seeking God. We
want to flow in with this, to be their friends — like Jesus.
Roger: So, you’re forward-looking?
Noel: Yes. Definitely!
Roger: What steps are you taking to ensure the continuation
of the vision when you are no longer here?
Noel: Our governing body these days is a Senior Leadership
of around seventeen men of whom I’m the eldest. Most
of them are in their forties, so I don’t think there’s much difficulty
in the vision continuing. We’ve grown together, lived
together and worked out many things together over many
years and the vision is well established in our hearts. At the
same time, we are continually training new leaders. We have
over 200 men in pastoral leadership and as many again in
some stage of leadership training.
Of course in the end one realises that God has got it all in
hand anyway. I’m not a General Booth! I’ve not written down
my successor’s name. It will all be dealt with in the Spirit.
Roger: What in particular do you think God is now saying
to the wider church through the Jesus Fellowship?
Noel: I would suggest that God is pointing to the need for a
church that is welcoming to today’s ‘modern believers’ and
seekers that includes people of all sorts of levels of commitment.
It must have a clear identifiable core of truly regenerated
disciples of Christ Jesus, demonstrating the kingdom of
God in a ‘new creation’ culture. We’ve found that Christian
community, in spite of its pressures and problems, is a foundation
for this.
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