I’ve written several times about the Jesus Army, a charismatic, evangelical church in the United Kingdoms that is known for its active evangelism and social work. It is one of the extremely few churches I know of in Europe that practices community of goods, where everybody share everything so that there is no longer any rich nor poor. Around one quarter of Jesus Army’s members live this way in around 60 community houses that are called New Creation Christian Community. The Jesus Army is mainly a house church movement, where people gather for worship in the community houses or other homes, but during the last decade they have also built Jesus Centres which are places for social ministry to help immigrants, homeless people and others.

I’m very inspired by this church! It’s a remnant of the amazing Jesus hippie revival in the 70’s and a church that is very similar to the Biblical church of Acts, that also was a house church movement that practiced community of goods. Today, I got a confirmation that it’s possible for me and my friend Frida to come and visit the Jesus Army in August. It’s the second time I’m visiting the Army and I’m so excited! My dream and prayer is that the Holy Spirit will use me to plant more Jesus churches, in Sweden and elsewhere.

To celebrate this, here are some central documents from Jesus Army’s website, describing who they are:

About the Jesus Fellowship

The Jesus Fellowship Church, which is also known as the Jesus Army, is an evangelical Christian church with a charismatic emphasis and Baptist roots. The church aims to be a contemporary expression of historic Christianity. It is orthodox in doctrine, and upholds the established Christian creeds. Details of the church are listed in the UK Christian Handbook and the English Church Census. It is linked with other churches and groups in the UK and overseas through the Multiply Christian Network, and is a member of the Evangelical Alliance UK.

High-profile Jesus Army ‘friendship evangelism’ takes place in towns and cities around the UK to ‘bring the church to the people’. Many who have little or no contact with any church are brought in touch with the Christian gospel in this way. Some may join the Jesus Fellowship, but the vast majority do not.

The church is particularly noted for its work with those in need, including homeless young people, those involved in drug or alcohol abuse, and prisoners and ex-prisoners. In this work it aims to show Christian compassion and love, helping people to find themselves and stand on their own two feet. This social action is normally conducted with reference to the various caring professions, and with their input. The church numbers around 2,500, about 600 of whom live as the New Creation Christian Community in 60 or so houses around the UK. Each community house contains anything between six and sixty people, who live as a large ‘family’. The community houses act as the ‘training and service’ centres of the church.

Brief Statement of Faith

The Jesus Fellowship Church, which is also known as the Jesus Army and includes the New Creation Christian Community, upholds the historic Christian faith, being reformed, evangelical and charismatic. It practises believer’s baptism and the New Testament reality of Christ’s Church; believing in Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; in the full divinity, atoning death and bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; in the Bible as God’s word, fully inspired by the Holy Spirit.

This Church desires to witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ over and in His Church; and, by holy character, righteous society and evangelical testimony to declare that Jesus Christ, Son of God, the only Saviour, is the way, the truth and the life, and through Him alone can we find and enter the kingdom of God.

This church proclaims free grace, justification by faith in Christ and the sealing and sanctifying baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The Jesus Fellowship upholds the historic creeds of the Christian faith: the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed.

Vision

Gather a people whose lives are being transformed by Jesus.

Mission

We value and accept all people. We are available and listen to them, showing love in practical ways.

We create relationships in which people will discover their new identity as followers of Jesus.

Our lifestyle of worship, word, works, and witness proclaims our togetherness and that we are a people of peace.

We express the call to enter God’s kingdom, and challenge people to join us in Spirit filled, purposeful adventure.

Among us people will receive the fire of God in their hearts and discover how they can serve His family, the church

Sounds like an awesome church, eh? Check out more at their website.