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Over the years there have been a number of special reports focussing on a wide range of aspects regarding the Jesus Fellowship. Many focus on what is considered to be the core of the group, those members who live within the various communes of the New Creation Christian Community.
The various series often including a number of articles regarding the group in general, the lifestyle of the community members, the business empire, and often include comments from members, ex-members and the elders of the group
In 1982, the Northampton Chronicle and Echo published a series of articles spanning over two weeks. The series covered many aspects of the Jesus Fellowship from the days when the group formed, to an in depth look at particular aspects of community life.
The special report appears to be one of the first in depth looks at the community to make it to the press.
14/09/1982 : THE JESUS PEOPLE : A SPECIAL ENQUIRY
17/09/1082 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : SPREADING THE GOSPEL
17/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : IN THE BEGINNING
18/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : FOR THIS MAN IT'S HAPPINESS
18/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : FOR THIS GIRL, A NIGHTMARE
20/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : INDOCTRINATION? IT'S JUST NOT TRUE
23/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : CONVERTED
23/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : THE HELL'S ANGEL
23/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : THE DRUG-TAKER
24/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : THE FIGUREHEAD
24/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : EVERYONE EQUAL
24/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : BAPTISTS HAVE NO SAY
25/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY - THE AUTHORITY OF MAN OVER WOMAN
27/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY - HOW (A Woman), 21 ,WOULD COPE WITH ROMANCE IN HER LIFE
28/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : DISCIPLINED LIVES OF FELLOWSHIP CHILDREN
28/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : TEACHERS TURN THEIR HANDS TO FARMING
29/09/1982 : SPECIAL ENQUIRY : THE BUSINESS OF RELIGION
In response.
27/09/1982 : LETTERS PAGE - OUR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP HAS NEVER BEEN MORE LOVING
27/09/1982 : LETTERS PAGE - I LIVED BETTER THAN A KING
27/09/1982 : LETTERS PAGE - FRIENDSHIP, HELP, LOYALTY
27/09/1982 : LETTERS PAGE - 'WE THINK THEY MIGHT AS WELL BE IN PRISON'
30/09/1982 : LETTERS PAGE - THE MISSING EVIDENCE
30/09/1982 : LETTERS PAGE - WHY CRITICISE FOR OBEDIENCE TO JESUS
In 1984, the Northampton Chronicle and Echo turned their attentions to the Jesus Fellowship once more, for another special report. This time the series covered some of what where considered controversial aspects to community life, including speaking to ex-members about their experiences whilst they where within the community.
08/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : SPREADING THE WORD - AND THE EMPIRE
08/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : FIRM FOOTHOLD IN THE WORLD OF BIG BUSINESS
08/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : A CLASS SYSTEM WITH A DIFFERENCE
09/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : NO TELLY, NO RADIO, NO DRINK AND NO SPORT ...
09/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : 'OUTSIDE' FAMILIES COME SECOND SAY EX-MEMBERS
09/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : THEY CAN PLAY BUT CAN'T WIN
10/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : I BECAME A MORAL ROBOT ...
10/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : 'THEY CALLED ME JUDAS WHEN I LEFT'
11/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : FELLOWSHIP HIT BY TRAGEDIES
11/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : ALL OR NOTHING - THAT'S THE MESSAGE
11/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : DETERMINATION COURAGE AND CUNNING
12/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : FROM BANK CLERK TO FOLLOWERS FIGUREHEAD
12/10/1984 : SPECIAL REPORT : OUR STORY - BY THE ELDERS
In response.
25/10/1984 : LETTERS PAGE - UNSHAKEN AND JOYFUL AS EVER
25/10/1984 : LETTERS PAGE - WHY I AM SO DEEPLY WORRIED
25/10/1984 : LETTERS PAGE - ARE WOMEN SO INFERIOR?
25/10/1984 : LETTERS PAGE - THEY ARE SO VERY HELPFUL
25/10/1984 : LETTERS PAGE - PARENTS TELL OF DEEP HUMAN HEARTACHE
In the mid eighties, a Christian organisation known as 'The Prayerforce Fellowship' was founded. The aim was to bring public attention the goings on within the Jesus Fellowship and the New Creation Christian Community communes.
As the name suggests, the primary method of opposition to the Jesus Fellowship was through prayer. More direct action was also taken, 'Life?News: Rev. N. Stanton's Kingdom: The Truth About Bugbrooke's Communities' was produced in 1985. The pamphlet mimicked the style of Jesus Fellowship promotional literature at the time and was distributed throughout the country.
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : Personal Introduction
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : Kingdom Fruits
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : The Prophet
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : Public Infallibility
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : Fellowship Sectarianism
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : 'Thou Shalt Not': Community legalism and conscience
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : Unsure Salvation
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : Judgement for Covenant Breakers
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : The Official Joining Process: A total cosmetic cover-up
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : CHRISTIAN CHURCH OR CULT?
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : FAMILIES AND MARRIAGE: SEXUAL RELATIONS RESTRICTED
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : KINGDOM RICHES
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : SPENDING POWER
1985 : LIFE?NEWS : CONCLUSION : DAVID AND GOLIATH
In response.
17/10/1985 : JESUS PEOPLE THREATEN ACTION
In 1986 the Jesus Fellowship became front page news for the Sunday Mirror. A series of articles spanning over two Sundays entitled 'Inside The Jesus Cult', covered brainwashing techniques, the wealth of the fellowships' business and property empire, and the story of one of their reporters who went 'undercover' to stay with the fellowship.
21/09/1986 : INSIDE THE JESUS CULT: INTRODUCTION
21/09/1986 : INSIDE THE JESUS CULT: SUNDAY MIRROR GIRL JOINS RELIGIOUS SECT
21/09/1986 : INSIDE THE JESUS CULT: ROUTE TO FREEDOM
21/09/1986 : INSIDE THE JESUS CULT: THE FORTUNE THEY CONTROL
21/09/1986 : INSIDE THE JESUS CULT: 'EVIL WORLD HATES US'
In Response.
18/09/1986 : WE'RE NOT A THREAT
25/09/1986 : OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN
In 1988, the Jesus Fellowship spokeswoman at the time was invited to submit a small series of articles to the Daventry Weekly Express. Although the then head of the Evangelical Alliance wasn't best pleased with a quote that was included.
27/10/1988 : ALL OUT FOR JESUS AND FIGHTING FOR YOU! : IN THE PUBLIC EYE!
27/10/1988 : ALL OUT FOR JESUS AND FIGHTING FOR YOU! : HELPED BY THE JESUS PEOPLE
In response.
10/11/1988 : THEY TWISTED MY WORDS!
17/11/1988 : LETTERS PAGE - ALLIANCE DOES ACKNOWLEDGE US AS A GENUINE CHURCH
Soon after the Jesus Fellowship purchased Northamptons' derelict cinema to be converted into a Jesus Centre, the Northampton Chronicle and Echo published a small series of articles.
07/07/2000 : SALVATION IN THE ARMY?
07/07/2000 : CINEMA WILL BECOME A CENTRE FOR WORSHIP
08/07/2000 : BACK FROM DRINK AND DRUGS HELL
08/07/2000 : SMALL FARM IS BASE FOR £15M BUSINESS
In response.
13/07/2000 : LETTERS PAGE - CAN VILLAGE'S OLD CHAPEL BE RESTORED TO US NOW?