Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKE
inspired by the example of Evan Roberts in the Welsh revival,
got them all to pray in turn: ‘Lord, fill me more powerfully
with your Spirit.’
A wave of baptisms began in the spring, Malcolm being the
first. He felt a new power as he came out of the water and
soon the shy schoolboy musician was going around praying
with people and ministering in the gifts of the Spirit.
John’s sister, Carol, had become a Christian at thirteen, but
later rebelled against her evangelical upbringing. The world
had messed her up and now, at twenty-one, she’d hit rock
bottom. People from Bugbrooke were often at her mum’s
house in Northampton, and she noticed the way they talked
and prayed about this lad Geoff. Here was genuine love. And
that was what she longed to find — real love.
Plucking up courage, Carol went along and sat at the back
of the manse one Saturday evening. She tried desperately
not to be noticed but felt increasingly awkward as the meeting
progressed. They sang some songs, lifted their hands in
the air and prayed. ‘Let’s pray for our sister Carol,’ said Noel.
She lifted her head unbelievingly. ‘What, pray for me?’ she
thought, and burst into sobs. The tears streamed down and
mingled with her mascara. Soon Carol was surrounded by
caring arms as the sisters prayed with her. The awareness of
her sin was overwhelming and she cried out to God. Then
peace came. How amazed she was that night to be loved by
God! It was a fresh start. Her worldly friends dropped her,
but Carol didn’t mind — she’d found a new family.
Carol had known the gospel well enough. She had heard it
a thousand times over. But here was a real sense of belonging.
It was amazing to see how all these people were on the
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