“I GREW up with unreal Christianity which put me off believing in Jesus," says John Thomason.

"I saw a lot of injustice in the world, and longed for change in society. I felt revolutionary politics was the only answer and I joined the Socialist Society at university. But I became disillusioned with that as well."

He realized politics were incapable of creating a better society because people carried so much prejudice and bitterness. "I realised that change had to begin in the human heart and Jesus was the only one who could bring about such a truly radical transformation."

He visited the chapel at Bugbrooke which was experiencing the beginnings of a Holy Spirit revival, in 1969. There, he heard teaching about God creating an alternative culture through people living lives of justice, holiness and equality. Things began to click into place. "I saw that we must be a visible new society." He strongly felt God calling him to become fully committed to this 'city on a hill'. "I understood the reality of Christian community as expressed in the Acts of the Apostles as real socialism. This was the fulfilment of my dream"

A number of people in the Fellowship sold their houses, and pooled together to buy the substantial property of New Creation Hall in Bugbrooke village. The early days of establishing community were rough, but exciting and pioneering. "There was a sense of awe in being part of God's work, helping to create a small piece of His kingdom on earth," John adds.

Dave Lantsbery and Steve Oakey were the first to move in to the Hall at 2 am one frosty morning! The house was semiderelict and for many weeks they slept on floor boards. When they returned home on one occasion, they found thieves had stolen the lead from the toilet drainage. The contents cascaded down into outbuildings. It was like living in a building site for the first winter as a team set about renovations.

Dave recalls, "We met together every night of the week in the chapel, with three meetings on Sundays. I was awestruck - people sitting next to me were full of God's Holy Spirit. When they spoke, God spoke. There was a deep joy of belonging to one another and we wanted to do everything together.

"We couldn't escape the call to live together as a demonstration of God's love. We gave our all - our faith, our substance and our finances."

Soon others followed and the house was brimming with people. The prophetic word focussed on a call to sacrifice, to renounce the old self life, share possessions and be accountable to one another.

Steve continues. "When the word about community was given out we immediately clothed it with flesh and obeyed it. It was like the story of Ezekiel and the dry bones, which were being formed even as the prophetic word was being spoken over them. As we moved in full surrender to God, we found great blessings."

For all of them, pioneering community has brought with it very painful times. "Pioneering is costly as we are breaking into Satan's territory," says John. "Building the kingdom of God on earth always involves spiritual warfare and opposition. We knew plenty of that in those early days!"

He remembers a significant time when he was going through an inward struggle. A brother encouraged him to keep going: 'You've got to realize you're one of the foundation stones which are buried deep in the ground. Without the foundation the building will eventually fall down.'

"The most painful times in community have been when people you have built close relationships with, leave. It is a great challenge to stay true to the vision even when others don't. It's your love for the brethren that keeps you faithful at such times. You want to do them good and cause no harm.

"The disillusionments you experience are just part of the learning process, helping you go forward with new wisdom and understanding, deepening you in the faith.

"Every man and woman must have a purpose. It is crucial to find that purpose, make a decision to work it out and then stick to it. You must set yourself in a straight line like the ploughman and say, this is where I am going, God is with me."

There have been many changes in the Jesus Fellowship over the years, like the launching of the Jesus Army and the opening of Jesus Centres. John feels it is important to have a heart that is willing to go with the changes. "There have always been new leaps of faith. We need to hold fast to what we are but not be fearful of change."

His vision for the church is to see Christian community increase. We need to build a Christian community that is as radical as ever, learning from our past mistakes, pressing on and always pushing back the boundaries. This is costly but very rewarding."