BBC - Inside the Cult of the Jesus Army (2025)

t began with a dream of heaven on earth in rural Britain - but the reality was abuse on a shocking scale. From hippy origins to controlling cult, the truth is only now emerging.

Chapter 1:
A look at the origins and history of the Jesus Fellowship Church, which was founded in 1969. Its early vision of communal living, shared finances and spiritual commitment changed over time, becoming more disciplined and controlling. Unexplained deaths begin to occur within the community, exorcisms were performed on members with 'unclean spirits', and children as young as two were disciplined with birch canes in a practice known as rodding. In 1987, leader Noel Stanton announced the launch of a Jesus Army, with members often bringing new recruits back into community homes, where one became a witness to something that would change her life for ever.

Chapter 2:
As more and more people are drawn into the Jesus Army through its outreach schemes, the 'modesty culture' within the organisation takes a dark turn. Victims of sexual assault and abuse are made to feel as though they are to blame, while the response from the group's leadership is that the perpetrators' actions are sins 'under the blood of Jesus' and therefore forgiven. After leader Noel Stanton's death in 2006, Northamptonshire Police launch Operation Lifeboat to investigate the mounting allegations, while survivors of abuse begin to disclose their experiences.