Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKE
At Matlock the theme of commitment was foremost. Fulfilment
of ministry in the church was a priority, and jobs in the
world came second.
The leaders called six of those recently baptised into the
centre of the room. Hands were laid on them, and words of
wisdom and prophecy given concerning their ministries within
the church. This became a regular practice after the example
of Paul and the elders laying hands on Timothy (2 Tim 1:6),
and the fellowship called it ‘ministry for ministries’.
Matlock was a time of dancing and fun and sharing. Community
whetted their appetite for closer fellowship, and the
hub was restored. When they got back to chapel you could
tell who had been to Matlock: they danced!
At this point, I (Simon*) turned up from Oxford with the latest
Watchman Nee books under my arm. My home was nearby
and I had just finished my zoology degree. I’d gone as a confirmed
atheist but a sudden encounter with God’s love had
brought me to Jesus and gave me a longing for the reality of
New Testament Christianity.
Entering Bugbrooke Chapel was like walking into a sea of
life. It was very colourful, very diverse and very turbulent. I
was met by warm unpretentious villagers, a host of Jesus teeshirts,
and a bunch of freshly converted hippies. Coming
straight out of the Christian Union it was all a bit overpowering,
but was just what I needed.
It was a good time to arrive. People were being converted
and filled with the Spirit all over the place. The church had
vision. Noel’s preaching was biblical and full of passion. I
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* See preface