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The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I was beaten with a stick from age 2 on Jesus Army farm where paedo ‘prophets' abused kids & ‘deserters' turned up dead
TO casual visitors the Jesus Army's communal farms in a quiet Northamptonshire village appeared idyllic. Children played in the fields, picked fresh fruit and did not face the pressures of the modern world. Advertisement 12 Nathan was born into the Jesus Army and sexually abused by a 'man in his 40s' from the age of ten Credit: BBC 12 New Creation Farm, where preacher Noel Stanton lived Credit: Jesus Fellowship Central Offices/Youtube 12 Noel Stanton founded the Jesus Fellowship Church in 1973 12 Founder Stanton, who died in 2009 aged 82, was among the powerful men accused of assaulting the flock Credit: BBC But for the kids who grew up in Children weren't allowed toys, crisps, television, radio, hobbies, sugar or even to visit museums. A new BBC documentary titled The Rise and Fall of the Jesus Army reveals how children were beaten on a daily basis if they broke these rules and told they were 'possessed'. Even worse was the sexual abuse in a Christian community that was supposed to value celibacy. Advertisement READ MORE FEATURES The controversial church, which began life as the Jesus Fellowship in 1973, closed its doors for good in May 2019 following over 600 allegations of abuse. Founder Stanton, who died in 2009 aged 82, was among the powerful men accused of assaulting the flock. Breaking the spell Stanton's cult had over them is difficult. Nathan, 38, who was born into the Jesus Army and sexually abused by a 'man in his 40s' from the age of ten, says that Noel is 'still someone I respect". Advertisement Most read in The Sun He explains: 'It was my whole life basically. I would spend hours with Noel shouting at us that you would go to Hell for stupid little things you did as a kid.' Stanton, originally from Bedfordshire, ran a stationery business before becoming pastor of the Baptist church in Bugbrooke in 1957. I was trapped in a cult & forced to give all my money to leaders who made me unwell with their 'cruelty' Over the following decade he attracted increasingly 'unorthodox individuals' to his evangelistic sermons. Earlier follower John says: 'He claimed he was a prophet speaking God's will.' Advertisement Fervent believers would speak in tongues and think they had been touched by Jesus. The congregation were expected to be totally devoted to the Jesus Fellowship. John continues: 'It wasn't just a case of just going to church, it was a case of belonging to the church.' 'Extreme and dangerous' 12 Earlier follower John says Stanton claimed he was a prophet speaking God's will Credit: BBC Advertisement 12 Philippa Barnes says children were tightly overseen by Stanton and didn't have time with their mums Credit: BBC 12 The congregation were expected to be totally devoted to the Jesus Fellowship. Pictured: Bugbrooke chapel Credit: Alamy That devotion went further in 1974 when New Creation Hall and New Creation Farm were opened. Stanton's disciples sold their home and all their worldly goods to buy these properties, which they didn't own. Advertisement The homes would be shared by any of the followers living there. Magsy, who was brought up in nearby Upper Stowe, recalls: 'We were playing in the fields and picking fruit. It was beautiful.' But Philippa Barnes, who was aged seven when she moved there, could sense something was wrong. She says: 'We were very tightly overseen by Noel. You didn't have time with your mum. It was extreme. It was dangerous.' Advertisement There were no crisps, no worldly things because that was inviting the devil in Magsy Families were split up, with some children placed with strangers and married couples slept in separate beds. The women were separated from the men, who were in control of the community. Elders, who were always male, were expected to enforce the rules. Magsy recalls: 'There were no crisps, no worldly things because that was inviting the devil in.' Advertisement In the evening Noel and other elders would purge people of their 'sins' as they writhed about on the floor convulsing like something out of The Exorcist movie. Magsy continues: 'There would be people who looked possessed, people laying hands on them, Noel crying out 'the devil'.' Suspicious deaths 12 Magsy was beaten with a stick from the age of two Credit: BBC This remained hidden from the outside world until Stephen Orchard, 19, died in suspicious circumstances in 1978 after leaving the 'cult'. Advertisement His injuries suggested he had lain on a railway track in the path of a train less than a mile from Bugbrooke, but the coroner recorded an open verdict. Stephen wasn't the only one. Eighteen months earlier David Hooper, 24, had died from exposure to freezing temperatures at the farm after being outside partially clothed in early December 1976. Then in 1986, Jesus Army member Mohammed Majid was found floating in an underground water tank on the grounds. Advertisement There would be people who looked possessed, people laying hands on them, Noel crying out 'the devil' Magsy The publicity around Stephen's death did nothing to quell interest in this new way of life. By 1980 their communes had over 430 residents and were running a string of businesses, including a hotel and health food shops. With followers working for the love of the religion, the coffers swelled. For the children who could not escape, it was a brutal upbringing with regular punishment beatings. Advertisement Magsy, who was beaten with a stick from the age of two, says: 'I was rodded every day. The brothers decided if you were defiant.' Sexual abuse 12 Sarah recalls how brazen one senior member of the church was, putting his hand on her leg while his wife was across the room Credit: BBC 12 When the Jesus Fellowship was thrown out of the Baptist Union and the Evangelical Alliance in 1986, Stanton launched the Jesus Army in 1987 in a bid to bring in fresh converts Credit: BBC 12 Church members were sent out into cities such as London to find waifs and strays in need of a bed Credit: Alamy Advertisement 12 The Jesus Army held raves in warehouses, with people singing 'we are generation J' and talking about getting a 'natural high' from God Credit: BBC John was the first of the disgruntled grown-ups to leave and to go public with his concerns. As a result the Jesus Fellowship was thrown out of the Baptist Union and the Evangelical Alliance in 1986. Unperturbed, Stanton launched the Jesus Army the following year in a bid to bring in fresh converts. Advertisement Church members were sent out into cities such as London to find waifs and strays in need of a bed. They opened up a Battle Centre in the capital and more communities in places such as Sheffield. Next up were raves in warehouses, with people singing 'we are generation J' and talking about getting a 'natural high' from God. But word got around paedophiles that the Jesus Army offered easy access to young children. Advertisement And the elders failed to crack down on reports of sexual abuse. I was rodded every day. The brothers decided if you were defiant Magsy Sarah recalls how brazen one senior member of the church was. She says: 'He would put his hand on my thigh under the table while his wife was across the room. He just shut me down.' When Philippa told the police that a Jesus Army member had sexually assaulted one of her friends he was sentenced to six months in prison. Advertisement But he only served half of that time inside and was welcomed back as leader. After Noel died the new leaders introduced safeguarding training and safeguarding officers. The damage, though, had been done. An investigation by Northamptonshire Police titled Operation Lifeboat uncovered 214 allegations of abuse. Advertisement Only five of the abusers were prosecuted and only two of them received custodial sentences, the longest being Nigel Perkins and Alan Carter, who received three year jail terms in 2017 and 2018 respectively. DC Mark Allbright explains: 'It was difficult, there was closing of ranks.' An independent review in 2017 carried on behalf of the Jesus Army found that Stanton had abused boys and that the leaders had failed to act. Facing hundreds of compensation claims the church closed two years later. Advertisement Those cases are ongoing and many more victims are yet to come forward, with one in six children in the Jesus Army believed to have experienced abuse. The Jesus Fellowship said: 'We continue to hold out an unreserved apology to anyone who has been affected by abuse and failings of any kind in the Jesus Fellowship. 'In 2013 we, as the senior leadership of the church, initiated a wide-ranging process that invited disclosures of any kind of abuse, both historic and recent, and referred all such reports to the authorities.' The Rise and Fall of the Jesus Army airs on BBC2 on Sunday July 27. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I was beaten with a stick from age 2 on Jesus Army farm where paedo ‘prophets' abused kids & ‘deserters' turned up dead
Even crisps were banned because they were seen as 'inviting the devil in' COMMUNE CULT I was beaten with a stick from age 2 on Jesus Army farm where paedo 'prophets' abused kids & 'deserters' turned up dead Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TO casual visitors the Jesus Army's communal farms in a quiet Northamptonshire village appeared idyllic. Children played in the fields, picked fresh fruit and did not face the pressures of the modern world. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 12 Nathan was born into the Jesus Army and sexually abused by a 'man in his 40s' from the age of ten Credit: BBC 12 New Creation Farm, where preacher Noel Stanton lived Credit: Jesus Fellowship Central Offices/Youtube 12 Noel Stanton founded the Jesus Fellowship Church in 1973 12 Founder Stanton, who died in 2009 aged 82, was among the powerful men accused of assaulting the flock Credit: BBC But for the kids who grew up in rural Bugbrooke under the terrifying regime of wild-haired preacher Noel Stanton, it was a nightmare. Children weren't allowed toys, crisps, television, radio, hobbies, sugar or even to visit museums. A new BBC documentary titled The Rise and Fall of the Jesus Army reveals how children were beaten on a daily basis if they broke these rules and told they were 'possessed'. Even worse was the sexual abuse in a Christian community that was supposed to value celibacy. The controversial church, which began life as the Jesus Fellowship in 1973, closed its doors for good in May 2019 following over 600 allegations of abuse. Founder Stanton, who died in 2009 aged 82, was among the powerful men accused of assaulting the flock. Breaking the spell Stanton's cult had over them is difficult. Nathan, 38, who was born into the Jesus Army and sexually abused by a 'man in his 40s' from the age of ten, says that Noel is 'still someone I respect". He explains: 'It was my whole life basically. I would spend hours with Noel shouting at us that you would go to Hell for stupid little things you did as a kid.' Stanton, originally from Bedfordshire, ran a stationery business before becoming pastor of the Baptist church in Bugbrooke in 1957. I was trapped in a cult & forced to give all my money to leaders who made me unwell with their 'cruelty' Over the following decade he attracted increasingly 'unorthodox individuals' to his evangelistic sermons. Earlier follower John says: 'He claimed he was a prophet speaking God's will.' Fervent believers would speak in tongues and think they had been touched by Jesus. The congregation were expected to be totally devoted to the Jesus Fellowship. John continues: 'It wasn't just a case of just going to church, it was a case of belonging to the church.' 'Extreme and dangerous' 12 Earlier follower John says Stanton claimed he was a prophet speaking God's will Credit: BBC 12 Philippa Barnes says children were tightly overseen by Stanton and didn't have time with their mums Credit: BBC 12 The congregation were expected to be totally devoted to the Jesus Fellowship. Pictured: Bugbrooke chapel Credit: Alamy That devotion went further in 1974 when New Creation Hall and New Creation Farm were opened. Stanton's disciples sold their home and all their worldly goods to buy these properties, which they didn't own. The homes would be shared by any of the followers living there. Magsy, who was brought up in nearby Upper Stowe, recalls: 'We were playing in the fields and picking fruit. It was beautiful.' But Philippa Barnes, who was aged seven when she moved there, could sense something was wrong. She says: 'We were very tightly overseen by Noel. You didn't have time with your mum. It was extreme. It was dangerous.' There were no crisps, no worldly things because that was inviting the devil in Magsy Families were split up, with some children placed with strangers and married couples slept in separate beds. The women were separated from the men, who were in control of the community. Elders, who were always male, were expected to enforce the rules. Magsy recalls: 'There were no crisps, no worldly things because that was inviting the devil in.' In the evening Noel and other elders would purge people of their 'sins' as they writhed about on the floor convulsing like something out of The Exorcist movie. Magsy continues: 'There would be people who looked possessed, people laying hands on them, Noel crying out 'the devil'.' Suspicious deaths 12 Magsy was beaten with a stick from the age of two Credit: BBC This remained hidden from the outside world until Stephen Orchard, 19, died in suspicious circumstances in 1978 after leaving the 'cult'. His injuries suggested he had lain on a railway track in the path of a train less than a mile from Bugbrooke, but the coroner recorded an open verdict. Stephen wasn't the only one. Eighteen months earlier David Hooper, 24, had died from exposure to freezing temperatures at the farm after being outside partially clothed in early December 1976. Then in 1986, Jesus Army member Mohammed Majid was found floating in an underground water tank on the grounds. There would be people who looked possessed, people laying hands on them, Noel crying out 'the devil' Magsy The publicity around Stephen's death did nothing to quell interest in this new way of life. By 1980 their communes had over 430 residents and were running a string of businesses, including a hotel and health food shops. With followers working for the love of the religion, the coffers swelled. For the children who could not escape, it was a brutal upbringing with regular punishment beatings. Magsy, who was beaten with a stick from the age of two, says: 'I was rodded every day. The brothers decided if you were defiant.' Sexual abuse 12 Sarah recalls how brazen one senior member of the church was, putting his hand on her leg while his wife was across the room Credit: BBC 12 When the Jesus Fellowship was thrown out of the Baptist Union and the Evangelical Alliance in 1986, Stanton launched the Jesus Army in 1987 in a bid to bring in fresh converts Credit: BBC 12 Church members were sent out into cities such as London to find waifs and strays in need of a bed Credit: Alamy 12 The Jesus Army held raves in warehouses, with people singing 'we are generation J' and talking about getting a 'natural high' from God Credit: BBC John was the first of the disgruntled grown-ups to leave and to go public with his concerns. As a result the Jesus Fellowship was thrown out of the Baptist Union and the Evangelical Alliance in 1986. Unperturbed, Stanton launched the Jesus Army the following year in a bid to bring in fresh converts. Church members were sent out into cities such as London to find waifs and strays in need of a bed. They opened up a Battle Centre in the capital and more communities in places such as Sheffield. Next up were raves in warehouses, with people singing 'we are generation J' and talking about getting a 'natural high' from God. But word got around paedophiles that the Jesus Army offered easy access to young children. And the elders failed to crack down on reports of sexual abuse. I was rodded every day. The brothers decided if you were defiant Magsy Sarah recalls how brazen one senior member of the church was. She says: 'He would put his hand on my thigh under the table while his wife was across the room. He just shut me down.' When Philippa told the police that a Jesus Army member had sexually assaulted one of her friends he was sentenced to six months in prison. But he only served half of that time inside and was welcomed back as leader. After Noel died the new leaders introduced safeguarding training and safeguarding officers. The damage, though, had been done. An investigation by Northamptonshire Police titled Operation Lifeboat uncovered 214 allegations of abuse. Only five of the abusers were prosecuted and only two of them received custodial sentences, the longest being Nigel Perkins and Alan Carter, who received three year jail terms in 2017 and 2018 respectively. DC Mark Allbright explains: 'It was difficult, there was closing of ranks.' An independent review in 2017 carried on behalf of the Jesus Army found that Stanton had abused boys and that the leaders had failed to act. Facing hundreds of compensation claims the church closed two years later. Those cases are ongoing and many more victims are yet to come forward, with one in six children in the Jesus Army believed to have experienced abuse. The Jesus Fellowship said: 'We continue to hold out an unreserved apology to anyone who has been affected by abuse and failings of any kind in the Jesus Fellowship. 'In 2013 we, as the senior leadership of the church, initiated a wide-ranging process that invited disclosures of any kind of abuse, both historic and recent, and referred all such reports to the authorities.' The Rise and Fall of the Jesus Army airs on BBC2 on Sunday July 27.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Trump administration releases FBI files on Martin Luther King Jr despite family's objection
US President Donald Trump's administration has released a trove of files of FBI surveillance linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., despite the opposition from his family and the civil rights group which the Nobel laureate led until his assassination in 1968. After a court's order in 1977, the records gathered by the FBI which totaled to more than 240,000 pages were blocked from public viewing and were in turn kept in the National Archives and Records Administration. King's family, including his two living children, Martin III and Bernice, were informed about the decision by the Trump administration to release the files and their own teams were reviewing the records. However, several members of the King's family opposed the release of documents. Today, after nearly 60 years of questions surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are releasing 230,000 MLK assassination files, available now at The documents include details about the FBI's investigation into the assassination… — DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) July 21, 2025 A statement from the two children condemned 'any attempts to misuse these documents in ways intended to undermine our father's legacy,' BBC reported. The pair called their father's case a 'captivating public curiosity for decades.' But the two children stressed upon the personal nature of the matter and urged that 'these files must be viewed within their full historical context.' King, a Baptist minister, was shot in Memphis on April 4, 1968 at the age of 39. A history sheeter James Earl Ray had confessed to killing King in a plea but later renounced his plea. The statement released Martin III and Bernice further adds, 'As the children of Dr. King and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, his tragic death has been an intensely personal grief, a devastating loss for his wife, children, and the granddaughter he never met, an absence our family has endured for over 57 years.' The children wrote 'We ask those who engage with the release of these files to do so with empathy, restraint, and respect for our family's continuing grief.' Bernice was five years old and Martin III was 10 when his father Martin Luther King Jr. was killed.
UPI
a day ago
- Politics
- UPI
Trump administration releases thousands of files on MLK Jr. assassination
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is pictured in a photo from 1966. On Monday, the Trump administration released 230,000 files on the 1968 assassination of the civil rights leader. UPI File Photo | License Photo July 21 (UPI) -- The Trump administration on Monday released 230,000 files on the 1968 assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the files' release and provided a link to the thousands of FBI records. "Today, after nearly 60 years of questions surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are releasing 230,000 MLK assassination files, available now at Gabbard wrote Monday in a post on X. "The documents include details about the FBI's investigation into the assassination of MLK, discussion of potential leads, internal FBI memos detailing the progress of the case, information about James Earl Ray's former cellmate who stated he discussed with Ray an alleged assassination plot, and more," Gabbard added. The release comes after Trump signed an executive order in January that also declassified records on the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. The documents, which were stored in federal facilities for decades and released Monday -- in partnership with the Justice Department, Central Intelligence Agency, National Archives and Federal Bureau of Investigation -- have been digitized and are available for all to see. "I am grateful to President Trump and DNI Gabbard for delivering on their pledge of transparency in the release of these documents on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.," said his niece, Dr. Alveda King. "My uncle lived boldly in pursuit of truth and justice, and his enduring legacy of faith continues to inspire Americans to this day," she added. "While we continue to mourn his death, the declassification and release of these documents are a historic step towards the truth that the American people deserve." Besides advocating for civil rights, Martin Luther King Jr., was a Baptist minister. He was shot and killed on April 4, 1968, at Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 39. Convicted robber and prison escapee James Earl Ray was identified as King's killer after his fingerprint was found on a rifle near the murder scene. The documents also reveal Ray's conversation with a former cellmate about the alleged assassination plot. Ray pleaded guilty to King's murder to avoid the death penalty. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison and died in custody in 1998. "Under President Trump's leadership, we are ensuring that no stone is left unturned in our mission to deliver complete transparency on this pivotal and tragic event in our nation's history," Gabbard said. "I extend my deepest appreciation to the King family for their support."
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Pope Reacts to Strike at Gaza Church
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Pope Leo XIV mourned on Thursday after an attack that hit the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, where two people were reported killed and several injured by an apparent Israeli strike. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the incident was "under review", that the forces try to avoid harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regret any damage. Newsweek contacted the IDF and the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem for further information. "His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza," a statement by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, read, adding: "His Holiness renews his call for an immediate ceasefire." The Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem said the parish pope was injured. Why It Matters The Holy Family Church, Gaza's only Catholic church, is the same parish that the late Pope Francis frequently contacted during his papacy. Video footage often showed him speaking to the church's children and parishioners via live link, offering prayers and encouragement during past escalations in Gaza. Parish Priest of the Holy Family church in Gaza City Fr. Gabriel Romanelli receives care after he was injured in an Israeli strike on the church, at the city's Arab Ahli, also known as Baptist,... Parish Priest of the Holy Family church in Gaza City Fr. Gabriel Romanelli receives care after he was injured in an Israeli strike on the church, at the city's Arab Ahli, also known as Baptist, hospital on July 17, 2025. More OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP What To Know The church hosted clergy and hundreds of sheltering Palestinians including children, amid the war in Gaza. Eyewitnesses reported that the church seemed to have been struck by Israeli tank fire, according to media reports. An 84-year-old woman and the parish's 60-year-old janitor were killed in the strike while the parish priest, Father Romanelli, was lightly injured, the Associated Press reported. Ongoing Israeli strikes near the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza—this one occurred during today's mass. The entire Catholic parish—hundreds of civilians—are sheltering inside the church. — Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) July 15, 2025 Dozens of Palestinians were killed Thursday in several Israeli strikes on Gaza. Israel's military campaign to eliminate Hamas and bring home Israeli hostages, launched after the group's deadly October 2023 attack on Israel, has devastated Gaza, leaving the enclave grappling with severe hunger and widespread deprivation. What People Are Saying Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Facebook: "The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning. here are several injuries in the place including the Parish Priest Fr. Gabriel Romanelli. Currently there no fatalities confirmed. The Church sustained damage." Israel Defense Forces on X: "The IDF is aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene. The circumstances of the incident are under review. The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them." Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State: "His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, and he assures the parish priest, Father Gabriele Romanelli, and the whole parish community of his spiritual closeness. In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, the Holy Father prays for the consolation of those who grieve and for the recovery of the injured. His Holiness renews his call for an immediate ceasefire, and he expresses his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region." What Happens Next Mediators including the U.S., Egypt and Qatar are still pursuing efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Neither side appears ready to give way on core demands.
