As a strong-arm, radical offshoot of the Pentecostal movement, The Jesus Fellowship was set up in the 1970s by Noel Stanton, who claimed to have experienced 'Baptism in the Holy Spirit' at his parish in Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire. Bugbrooke subsequently became a Mecca for young Christians, who moved into communes around the parish and saw Stanton as their leader. In 1986, the Baptist and Evangelical Churches expelled the Fellowship from their umbrella organisations, citing 'isolationism'.

'House of Goodness', the movement's profitable parent company (for which members work for a negligible salary), owns a haulage firm, a chain of wholefood shops and more than 60 community houses. In 1988 it had a turnover of £15 million.

In 1986, the movement's recruitment tactics were broadened and the Jesus Army was formed. Drug addicts, down-and-outs and drifters were targeted for hard sell missionary work, known as 'love bombing'. Camouflage jackets, badges and crew cuts are a frequent sight at rallies and mass baptisms presided over by Stanton. At a recent rally, Stanton told his audience that in most churches 'there is a majority of women. But the early church was built on apostles. We need apostles today. We need men.'

. All earnings go into a 'common purse', marriage partners must be approved by Army leaders and external friendships are strongly frowned upon.