Mongolians Chinzo Jigjidsuren and Aruna Garidkhuu recently stayed with their niece Anuu at Living Faith, the Jesus Fellowship house in Oxford - a taste of community which Aruna describes as "heaven on earth".
They grew up under a communist regime, and with the breakdown of the system, they found freedom and faith. Now they lead Immanuel Church in Ulan Bator, which emphasises through cell groups the importance of true, deep, accountable relationships.
Aruna reflects on the difference between the political ideals of communism and true love in the kingdom of God: "Marx, Engels, Lenin - they tried to build communism but there was no God there and that's why it didn't work. But true community has God as its head, and prospers because it's God's will."
"It's God's will," adds Chinzo, "because He is Father, Son and Spirit; community is the lifestyle that God wants to use to spread His image through-out the nations. It's not one person carrying the image of God, but communities in all their variety that show the image of God. The kingdom of God is true community."
Aruna adds: "The Jesus Army is now in its current situation not because of building, money or other materialistic things but because of unity, relationships and love for each other."
"We talk about essence," concludes Chinzo. "If you have essence, then other things will be added."
Now a group of young people from Chinzo and Aruna's church are planning to start a community.
True community
TRUE COMMUNITY