OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE 'STRONGLY DISAGREE'

JOHN CAMPBELL, COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER OF THE JESUS FELLOWSHIP IN NETHER HEYFORD, RESPONDS:

Source : 22/04/1997 Northampton Chronicle and Echo

'It is clearly a matter of regret that the woman was so unsettled by her childhood in the Jesus Fellowship.'

'However, her description of life in the church is not one that I recognise and there are many other young people who have grown up as part of the fellowship who would strongly disagree with her opinions.'

'There have been many changes over the years but children have always had toys and games and, to my knowledge, it has never been true that women have been afraid to speak, or have been treated as servants.'

'Any allegation of sexual abuse would always be treated with the utmost seriousness and never ignored.'

'The church aids many who are in various kinds of social need both practically and spiritually.'

'Many are helped by a short stay in one of our community houses, though that is not the only way we seek to help them.'

'Community residence is not a requirement for belonging to this church and the vast majority of those who join do so while living in their own place.'

'It is simply not true that it is hard to leave or we claim those outside are evil.'

'finally, nothing the fellowship does can be construed as brainwashing.'

'This church seeks to uphold Christian beliefs and practices.'