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In May 2019, the leaders of the Jesus Fellowship Church have voted to wind up the Church, apparently due to the damage to it's reputation, and dwindling membership numbers, following over 200 accusation of abuse
The group intends to split appart into smaller groups, companies, and charities (of which there are likely to be many)
The Jesus Fellowship Survivors Association continues to support ex-members and bringing to light the abuses thay have suffered.
Whilst solicitors are working to secure financial compensation for those affected
28/05/2019 : Northampton's Jesus Army votes to disband in wake of historic abuse claims
30/05/2019 : The Jesus Army church may be folding... but its centres, communes and businesses will continue
02/06/2019 : Jesus Army must honour compensation scheme says Northamptonshire survivor who was allegedly beaten for missing midnight worship
In 2013 the Jesus Army appealed for victims of abuse to come forward. It is believed that around 150 cases have since been reported to them, including allegations relating to the late founder of the group, Noel Stanton
In 2015, Northamptonshire Police began "Operation Lifeboat", a JA led investigation into historic abuse within the Jesus Fellowship/ Jesus Army. Operation Lifeboat was created to invetigate cases of abuse which have been referred to the police by the Fellowship. There have been a number of prosecutions of ex-members to date.
In 2017, Mick Haines, the leader of the Fellowship admitted that the late Noel Stanton was in an “unaccountable position”, and "Noel had a flawed character", it is not yet known if there will be a full investigation into the allegations against the late Mr Stanton
In July 2017, five ‘apostolic’ leaders of the Fellowship stepped back from pastoral duties pending an investigation of their handling of the abuse allegations. Mick Haines (the senior pastor), Mike Farrant, John Campbell, Ian Callard and Huw Lewis.
In September 2017, it was reported that lawyers are representing around 40 ex-members of the Fellowship with the intention of a Civil Claim against the group
In Jesus Fellowship Survivors Association continues to work with professionals and the Fellowship trustees, supporting ex-members and bringing to light the abuses thay have suffered.
The Jesus Fellowship Survivors Association, a growing network of ex-members and services, is continuing to support and seek recompense for those affected by abuse during their time within the Fellowhship, further details and recent developments are available within their blog.
The group also maintain a number of facebook pages regarding different aspect of their ongoing work with ex-members.
Jesus Fellowship Survivors Association (website and blog) https://jesusfellowshipsurvivors.org/
Freedom and Truth Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1966635120244110/
SignPost Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/Signpostgroup/
Open Gates Charity Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1624127954297418/
Anyone wishing to contact the Northamptonshire Police investigation into historic physical and sexual abuse within the JA, can call 101 (full number 03000 111 222) and ask for the "Operation Lifeboat" team. Or call the 24-hour helpline run by the sexual assault referral centre, Serenity, on 01604 601713.
Anyone wishing to contact the Lawyers representing the Civil claims case can visit their websites directly
Switalskis Solicitors https://www.switalskis.com/about-us/our-lawyers/david-greenwood/
Robson Shaw http://www.robsonshaw.uk/blog/jesus-army-in-the-news-following-arrests.htm
There are now 398 clippings in the press clipping Archive : Full Press Clippings Archive
This website is currently being updated. The last major update was in 2004
The Forum has now reopened : Forum / Message Board.
If you'd like to be notified by email the next time the Jesus Army Watch Archive is updated, send an email too -
maillist@jesusarmywatch.org.uk
2019
02/06/2019 : Jesus Army must honour compensation scheme says Northamptonshire survivor who was allegedly beaten for missing midnight worship
01/06/2019 : Leicester Jesus Centre to run independently after operator closes over child sex abuse claims
30/05/2019 : The Jesus Army church may be folding... but its centres, communes and businesses will continue
30/05/2019 : Child sex abuse victims tell of being 'fobbed off with a cup of tea and biscuits' after complaining of assaults and mistreatment at religious institutions
30/05/2019 : Shame stops children reporting abuse in religious institutions, inquiry warns
29/05/2019 : Popular Northampton theatre will not be affected by Jesus Army closure
29/05/2019 : Jesus Army will 'cease to exist'
29/05/2019 : Jesus Army churches close after child sex abuse claims
28/05/2019 : Northampton's Jesus Army votes to disband in wake of historic abuse claims
28/05/2019 : Church once known as the ‘Jesus Army’ shuts down amid hundreds of child sex abuse allegations
30/04/2019 : Jesus Fellowship property catches fire in Northamptonshire
2018
24/04/2018 : Former member of Northamptonshires Jesus Army member jailed for historic sex offences
2017
18/09/2017 : At least 40 people planning to sue Northamptonshire's Jesus Army over historic abuse claims
18/09/2017 : SPECIAL REPORT: Alleged victim of historic abuse reveals traumatic childhood growing up in Jesus Army
18/09/2017 : SPECIAL REPORT: Northamptonshire Police lost files relating to suspicious death of Jesus Army member
06/07/2017 : Jesus Army leaders in Northamptonshire step down after complaints over handling over abuse claims
08/06/2017 : Corporal punishment complaints at Northampton’s Jesus Army were not followed up... because it wasn’t illegal in the 70s and 80s
11/05/2017 : Sexual and financial abuse claims made against founder of the Jesus Army in Northampton
11/05/2017 : JESUS ARMY INQUIRY: Northamptonshire review board is not ruling out probe at a later date
28/03/2017 : Jesus Army sex offender sentenced for string of indecent acts directed at children in Northamptonshire
20/01/2017 : Tributes paid to church helper killed in road tragedy in Stourbridge