THE LOCATION of "Triumphant Lamb", the Jesus Fellowship community house in Preston - not far from a local prison between the red light district and a largely Muslim area - certainly puts them on the frontline.

They've had eggs thrown at their Jesus Army minibus, but they're finding ways of breaking down barriers and reaching people with the genuine gospel.

I arrived at Preston station one grey March morning this year. Pete Emblin, the main leader of Jesus Fellowship Preston, was there to meet me.

At Triumphant Lamb we met the main leader of Hyndburn Christian Fellowship (near Blackburn), Frank Andrews, and June Quinn, a member of their "advisory group".

We had plenty of time to share together, over a meal. I talked about the vision and direction of Multiply, a vision of connecting together independent churches and groups at leadership level and stimulating charismatic life, ministry and service.

Both Frank and Pete shared about their need for more young people in the church and spoke about their churches' vision to receive more of God's power and to train and release everyone in their gifts and ministries. Frank sees great value in working together - both at a personal (leadership) level and at a congregational (body of Christ) level.

Recently the two groups have enjoyed meeting together: the advisory group of HCF came over to JF Preston for food, fellowship and a time of worship with the folk from JF Preston; and in April the whole JFC Preston group went to a Sunday morning meeting at Hyndburn.

The two groups would also like to do evangelism together in their different "patches".

Both HCF and JF Preston have been through periods of sifting over the last few years, but are coming through this and looking positively to the future. HCF now sees its identity very much as part of Multiply and has appreciated input from the main leader of JF Liverpool, Dave Brown (now sadly passed away), and now from Pete Emblin.

The Jesus Fellowship aims to build strong relationships of mutual support and encouragement with Multiply groups. It was good to see this happening in such a practical and hearty way between two churches in the North West.

---

What's being said