War and Defeat

The Jesus Army and Fellowship Revisited

John Everett, Katie Buchanan

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English

Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd
10 April 2025

Christian & quasi-Christian cults & sects; Religious groups: social & cultural aspects

For nearly fifty years the Jesus Fellowship Church (JFC) - known to many as the Jesus Army - offered its members salvation, sanctity and security within the caring brotherhood of a communal lifestyle believed to be God's kingdom here on Earth. Many, in good faith, knew it as their true home, their 'Zion'. Sadly, however, utopian experiments rarely stand the test of time, and the JFC proved no exception: its demise in 2017 followed hot on the heels of a police investigation - codenamed Operation Lifeboat - into allegations of abuse. Operation Lifeboat led to several successful prosecutions.

The official closure statement issued by the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust reported that nearly three hundred allegations of harm and abuse had been received, including twenty-two against the late founder and leader, Noel Stanton (1926 - 2009). These involved serious incidents of sexual, physical, financial and emotional abuse.

Between 1977 and 1982 John Everett belonged to the 'white-hot' hub of the JFC, the New Creation Christian Community (NCCC), whose members sold all their possessions - including former homes - and donated the proceeds to a central community trust fund. They also pooled all their income in household 'common purses'. By 2010 the JFC owned some forty or more properties spread across the whole country - including former cinemas and large, stately houses - and their business ventures had become multi-million-pound enterprises.

In 1979 John was commissioned by Noel Stanton to study the sociological character of the JFC at Warwick University for a doctoral thesis. His research, together with his first-hand experience, eventually led him to conclude that the JFC had become a cult. After challenging Noel Stanton about his autocratic leadership, John found the courage to leave NCCC; but he was then branded a traitor and formally excluded through excommunication. His treatment ultimately led to a devastating mental breakdown.

John has spent over four decades since he left endeavouring to expose the JFC in its true colours. This has included involvement with numerous media investigations and features; providing help to ex-members; writing reports for church authorities; creating and running a popular website for over twelve years; and contributing to five TV documentaries and shows. His experience is undoubtedly unique and has culminated in 'War and Defeat' - an account of his fascinating odyssey, which includes the many wonderful - and not-so-wonderful - people who have been an essential part of it.

By: John Everett
Foreword by: Katie Buchanan
Imprint: Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 24mm
Weight: 545g
ISBN: 9781803819877
ISBN 10: 1803819871
Pages: 408
Publication Date: 10 April 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

John lives in Durham with his wife, Jeanne, to whom he has been married for forty-two years. They have three children and a growing host of grandchildren. John is an Old-Etonian scholarship 'boy'; a lifelong and avid Luton Town supporter; an environmental researcher and author; and someone - so he says - who can easily laugh at himself.