Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKE
bright red shirt, glowing face and long hair! They liked the
new version and the group became Saturday night regulars.
Following the music festival, eight people were baptised.
Johnny, a local fighter, wept his way to the Lord. The village
was stirred and he was asked to speak at Dave’s school. Some
of the youngsters responded, and more came along to see
what was going on down at the chapel.
In September, the American evangelist, Arthur Blessitt, hit
town, leaving a trail of Jesus stickers and enthusiasm. Then a
huge bonfire lit the skies over Northampton — the Nationwide
Festival of Light had begun. In London the shouts of
‘Praise the Lord!’, the One Way signals, the music, the stickers
and the joy all indicated the spiritual groundswell abroad.
At Bugbrooke that swell was rising fast. Some who had
started coming to the chapel meetings were thinking of moving
into the village, but not all could afford to. Noel suggested
a Sharing Fund to meet particular needs and the formation
of a housing association to provide homes at a low cost. This,
he explained, put into practice the communal spirit of the
New Testament. He admired the example of the early Christians
and, to the amazement of some, started to lend out his
Audi.
Christmas was approaching and many were uneasy about
the worldliness and hypocrisy it involved. The festival, which
was of pagan origin, and never recognised in the early church,
brought so many temptations to drunkenness and greed.
Sadly, Johnny, the local fighter, had already gone back to some
of his old ways.
Nonetheless, a carol service went ahead and Noel hoped to
reach the hearts of some of the traditional folk. Testimonies
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