LETTERS PAGE

FILM ON 'ARMY' WAS SERIOUSLY MISLEADING

Source : 14/05/1996 Northampton Chronicle and Echo

The Jesus Army co-operated fully with the BBC Everyman team at every stage in their production of a programme which was to be about 'enthusiastic Christianity' and 'the way the Jesus Army helps those in need'.

Regrettably the completed film (shown on May 12) proved to be seriously misleading on a number of issues.

At the request of the Jesus Army, Everyman made several changes to the commentary to remove many of the more obvious errors. However, the programme's portrait of the Jesus Army remains notable for its omissions, and a number of points stand out in particular.

Why did Everyman show none of its interviews with the many ordinary 'non-community' members of the church, despite Everyman's prior assurance that it would do so?

Why was there no mention of the range of backgrounds of members of the Jesus Army and the range of outreach activity of the church, despite Everyman's prior assurance that it would do so?

Why was there no mention of the way the Jesus Army works alongside the caring professions in helping those in need?

Why was there no mention of families restored and helped and runaways returning home?

Why was there no mention made of the variety of satisfactory outcomes that many follow from a visit to a Jesus Army community house, despite Everyman's prior assurance that it would do so?

John Campbell,

Jesus Fellowship Central Offices, Nether Heyford.