Latest news with #JesusFellowshipChurch
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Noel Stanton's Jesus Army: The cult urged followers to donate their 'genitals to Jesus'
Noel Stanton turned the Jesus Army into one of the largest and most controversial religious movements in the UK - but it was later revealed to be a hotbed of abuse Charismatic preacher Noel Stanton, who started as a modest Baptist minister, went on to establish a formidable religious empire known as the Jesus Army, which concealed years of appalling abuse behind its spiritual facade. Noel Stanton was born on Christmas Day in 1926 and initially embarked on his journey as a traditional clergyman. However, in the 1970s, he transformed himself into the pioneer of an avant-garde Christian commune in the Northamptonshire countryside. His venture, initially a daring leap of faith, would later become one of the UK's most contentious religious sects. Stanton called upon his disciples to relinquish their worldly goods, properties, and even their offspring, with the promise of creating a utopian "heaven on Earth." The Jesus Fellowship Church, commonly referred to as the Jesus Army, expanded from a modest Bugbrooke congregation to a nationwide entity with a membership running into the thousands, unlike other infamous cults that remained relatively obscure, reports the Express. His adherents resided in austere communal homes, forfeiting their earnings and independence while strictly observing his increasingly stringent edicts. Public proselytising became the hallmark of the group, with vibrant Jesus Army buses and street teams donning distinctive jackets becoming a common spectacle throughout Britain. However, a darker reality lurked beneath the surface. A 1993 documentary captured Stanton exhorting his followers to dedicate their "genitals to Jesus," a statement that now resonates ominously amidst subsequent sexual abuse claims. His fixation on sexual chastity, coupled with his totalitarian grip on his followers' lives, set the stage for endemic abuse. When Stanton passed away on May 20, 2009, at the age of 82, he left behind not only a religious movement but also a community teetering on the brink of disintegration. Despite maintaining an image of success, signs of internal strife were beginning to show. His final resting place is at New Creation Farm in Nether Heyford, a site maintained through the financial support of his disciples. Following his death, distressing accusations emerged. Victims stepped forward with allegations of systematic physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that had occurred over many years. Children were reportedly subjected to harsh "rodding" using birch canes and frightening "exorcisms" aimed at casting out presumed demons. Former members have spoken out about how stringent regulations cut them off from their families and how life choices were dictated by designated leaders. In 2019, the Jesus Army was formally dissolved. Its legal entity, the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust, initiated a Redress Scheme to provide recompense to those harmed. The scheme saw hundreds reveal their experiences of mistreatment, leading the Trust to admit the "serious harm" inflicted. The new BBC documentary, Inside the Cult of the Jesus Army, provides a chilling examination of how Stanton's vision for Christian fellowship deteriorated into a prolonged ordeal. Featuring poignant accounts from those who endured suffering, it exposes a group that outwardly appeared devout yet hid profound and enduring damage. What started as a pursuit of spiritual kinship culminated in devastation for numerous individuals – serving as a grim reminder of the potential for fervent belief to be perverted into manipulation, domination, and maltreatment.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Who was Noel Stanton and how did the founder of the Jesus Army die?
Charismatic preacher turned cult leader Noel Stanton built a religious empire that hid horrific abuse behind colourful buses and a "Christian community" for nearly four decades. Born on Christmas Day 1926, this ordinary Baptist minister transformed into one of Britain's most controversial religious figures when he Advertisement 3 Noel Stanton preaching to his community Credit: BBC After his death in 2009, aged 82, shocking allegations emerged of systematic physical, sexual and psychological abuse spanning decades. A new BBC documentary now exposes the disturbing truth behind what one survivor describes as "a British cult hiding in plain sight." Who was Noel Stanton? In the 1970s, this firebrand preacher convinced dozens of idealistic Christians to hand over their homes , possessions, and even their children to create what he claimed would be "heaven on Earth " in rural Northamptonshire. Stanton established the Jesus Fellowship Church – better known as the Jesus Army – which grew from a small congregation at Bugbrooke Baptist Church into a nationwide movement with thousands of followers. Advertisement Read more on cults The bearded, authoritarian leader demanded total obedience from his flock. Members lived in communal houses, surrendered their savings to the group, and followed his increasingly bizarre rules about everything from diet to relationships . His preaching became increasingly focused on sexual "purity," with shocking footage from a 1993 documentary showing him urging followers to give their "genitals to Jesus". This obsession with controlling members' sexuality would later become central to many abuse allegations. Advertisement Most read in The Sun How did the Jesus Army founder die? Noel Stanton died on May 20, 2009, aged 82, after leading his controversial religious movement for nearly four decades. Despite building what appeared to be a thriving Christian community with its distinctive fleet of colourful Jesus Army buses and evangelistic street outreach, Stanton's final years were marked by increasing scrutiny of his leadership methods. Watch moment rape cult leader who told followers he was an alien called Great Shaman is arrested in Argentina By the time of his death, cracks were already appearing in the movement he'd created, though the full extent of the abuse within the Jesus Army wouldn't become public knowledge until years later. Stanton was buried at the fellowship's New Creation Farm in Nether Heyford, a sprawling community site that had been purchased with money donated by his followers. Advertisement Inside the controversial cult While presenting itself as a legitimate Christian church, the Jesus Army operated with all the classic hallmarks of a cult. Members were encouraged to cut ties with family and friends outside the group. Those living in communal "community houses" had to follow strict rules about everything from clothing to personal relationships. The group's radical "kingdom theology" taught followers that Stanton had special authority from God. Advertisement This created an environment where questioning the leader was seen as questioning God himself. Ex-members describe an atmosphere of intense control, with decisions about jobs , marriages and even what clothes to wear dictated by "elders" appointed by Stanton. The Jesus Army became known for its distinctive evangelism style, with members in brightly coloured jackets approaching strangers in town centres, offering hugs and inviting them to join community life. What appeared to outsiders as a quirky but harmless Christian group was, behind closed doors, implementing practices that damaged hundreds of lives. Advertisement 3 Aerial view of Sheepfold Grange, Northampton, Jesus Army Credit: Google Shock abuse claims Following Stanton's death, Children as young as two were routinely "disciplined" with birch canes in a practice known as "rodding", causing physical and psychological trauma that survivors still deal with today. The group conducted terrifying "exorcisms" on members thought to be possessed by demons, with some subjected to hours of shouting, physical restraint and psychological abuse under the guise of spiritual cleansing. Advertisement There were also several unexplained deaths within the community that former members claim weren't properly investigated at the time. Perhaps most disturbing were the widespread sexual abuse allegations. Multiple members, many of whom were children when the abuse occurred, have since come forward with accounts of sexual assault perpetrated by senior figures within the organisation. The cult's strict sexual teachings, which demanded celibacy from single members while simultaneously creating an environment where authority figures had unchecked power , created perfect conditions for predators. Advertisement 3 The Jesus Army commune in Northampton was the site of many abuses Credit: Jesus Fellowship Central Offices/Youtube The Redress Scheme The scale of abuse was so extensive that, following the official disbanding of the Jesus Army in 2019, the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust established a Redress Scheme to compensate victims. The scheme identified numerous abusers within the organisation, with victims ranging from young children to vulnerable adults who had been drawn into the community. By November 2021, when the scheme closed, hundreds of former members had come forward with claims of serious abuse suffered during their time in the Jesus Army. Advertisement Former members continue to speak out about their experiences, with many featured in the powerful new BBC documentary "Inside the Cult of the Jesus Army," which exposes the shocking truth behind what once appeared to be just an eccentric Christian group. The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has acknowledged that "serious harm" was caused to many former members, particularly children, and has apologised for the "pain and suffering" experienced by those who lived under Stanton's leadership. What began as a dream of Christian community ended as a nightmare for hundreds of victims – a stark reminder of how easily religious devotion can be twisted into control and abuse when placed in the wrong hands.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Who was Noel Stanton and how did the founder of the Jesus Army die?
Charismatic preacher turned cult leader Noel Stanton built a religious empire that hid horrific abuse behind colourful buses and a "Christian community" for nearly four decades. Born on Christmas Day 1926, this ordinary Baptist minister transformed into one of Britain's most controversial religious figures when he founded the Jesus Army in rural Northamptonshire. After his death in 2009, aged 82, shocking allegations emerged of systematic physical, sexual and psychological abuse spanning decades. A new BBC documentary now exposes the disturbing truth behind what one survivor describes as "a British cult hiding in plain sight." Who was Noel Stanton? In the 1970s, this firebrand preacher convinced dozens of idealistic Christians to hand over their homes, possessions, and even their children to create what he claimed would be "heaven on Earth" in rural Northamptonshire. Stanton established the Jesus Fellowship Church – better known as the Jesus Army – which grew from a small congregation at Bugbrooke Baptist Church into a nationwide movement with thousands of followers. The bearded, authoritarian leader demanded total obedience from his flock. Members lived in communal houses, surrendered their savings to the group, and followed his increasingly bizarre rules about everything from diet to relationships. His preaching became increasingly focused on sexual "purity," with shocking footage from a 1993 documentary showing him urging followers to give their "genitals to Jesus". This obsession with controlling members' sexuality would later become central to many abuse allegations. How did the Jesus Army founder die? Noel Stanton died on May 20, 2009, aged 82, after leading his controversial religious movement for nearly four decades. Despite building what appeared to be a thriving Christian community with its distinctive fleet of colourful Jesus Army buses and evangelistic street outreach, Stanton's final years were marked by increasing scrutiny of his leadership methods. Watch moment rape cult leader who told followers he was an alien called Great Shaman is arrested in Argentina By the time of his death, cracks were already appearing in the movement he'd created, though the full extent of the abuse within the Jesus Army wouldn't become public knowledge until years later. Stanton was buried at the fellowship's New Creation Farm in Nether Heyford, a sprawling community site that had been purchased with money donated by his followers. Inside the controversial cult While presenting itself as a legitimate Christian church, the Jesus Army operated with all the classic hallmarks of a cult. Members were encouraged to cut ties with family and friends outside the group. Those living in communal "community houses" had to follow strict rules about everything from clothing to personal relationships. The group's radical "kingdom theology" taught followers that Stanton had special authority from God. This created an environment where questioning the leader was seen as questioning God himself. Ex-members describe an atmosphere of intense control, with decisions about jobs, marriages and even what clothes to wear dictated by "elders" appointed by Stanton. The Jesus Army became known for its distinctive evangelism style, with members in brightly coloured jackets approaching strangers in town centres, offering hugs and inviting them to join community life. What appeared to outsiders as a quirky but harmless Christian group was, behind closed doors, implementing practices that damaged hundreds of lives. Shock abuse claims Following Stanton's death, horrifying accounts of systematic physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse began to emerge from former members. Children as young as two were routinely "disciplined" with birch canes in a practice known as "rodding", causing physical and psychological trauma that survivors still deal with today. The group conducted terrifying "exorcisms" on members thought to be possessed by demons, with some subjected to hours of shouting, physical restraint and psychological abuse under the guise of spiritual cleansing. There were also several unexplained deaths within the community that former members claim weren't properly investigated at the time. Perhaps most disturbing were the widespread sexual abuse allegations. Multiple members, many of whom were children when the abuse occurred, have since come forward with accounts of sexual assault perpetrated by senior figures within the organisation. The cult's strict sexual teachings, which demanded celibacy from single members while simultaneously creating an environment where authority figures had unchecked power, created perfect conditions for predators. 3 The Redress Scheme The scale of abuse was so extensive that, following the official disbanding of the Jesus Army in 2019, the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust established a Redress Scheme to compensate victims. The scheme identified numerous abusers within the organisation, with victims ranging from young children to vulnerable adults who had been drawn into the community. By November 2021, when the scheme closed, hundreds of former members had come forward with claims of serious abuse suffered during their time in the Jesus Army. Former members continue to speak out about their experiences, with many featured in the powerful new BBC documentary "Inside the Cult of the Jesus Army," which exposes the shocking truth behind what once appeared to be just an eccentric Christian group. The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has acknowledged that "serious harm" was caused to many former members, particularly children, and has apologised for the "pain and suffering" experienced by those who lived under Stanton's leadership. What began as a dream of Christian community ended as a nightmare for hundreds of victims – a stark reminder of how easily religious devotion can be twisted into control and abuse when placed in the wrong hands.
