{"product_id":"war-and-defeat-john-everett-9781803819877","title":"War and Defeat: The Jesus Army and Fellowship Revisited","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor nearly fifty years the \u003cem\u003eJesus Fellowship Church (JFC) \u003c\/em\u003e- known to many as the \u003cem\u003eJesus Army\u003c\/em\u003e - offered its members salvation, sanctity and security within the caring brotherhood of a communal lifestyle believed to be God's kingdom here on Earth.\u003c\/strong\u003e Many, in good faith, knew it as their true home, their 'Zion'. Sadly, however, utopian experiments rarely stand the test of time, and the JFC proved no exception: its demise in 2017 followed hot on the heels of a police investigation - codenamed \u003cem\u003eOperation Lifeboat \u003c\/em\u003e- into allegations of abuse. Operation Lifeboat led to several successful prosecutions. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe official closure statement issued by the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust reported that nearly three hundred allegations of harm and abuse had been received, including twenty-two against the late founder and leader, Noel Stanton (1926 - 2009). These involved serious incidents of \u003cem\u003esexual, physical, financial and emotional abuse\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetween 1977 and 1982 John Everett belonged to the 'white-hot' hub of the JFC, the \u003cem\u003eNew Creation Christian Community\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003e(NCCC), \u003c\/em\u003ewhose members sold all their possessions - including former homes - and donated the proceeds to a central community trust fund. They also pooled all their income in household 'common purses'. By 2010 the JFC owned some forty or more properties spread across the whole country - including former cinemas and large, stately houses - and their business ventures had become multi-million-pound enterprises. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1979 John was commissioned by Noel Stanton to study the sociological character of the JFC at Warwick University for a doctoral thesis. His research, together with his first-hand experience, eventually led him to conclude that the JFC had become a cult. After challenging Noel Stanton about his autocratic leadership, John found the courage to leave NCCC; but he was then branded a traitor and formally excluded through excommunication. His treatment ultimately led to a devastating mental breakdown. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn has spent over four decades since he left endeavouring to expose the JFC in its true colours. This has included involvement with numerous media investigations and features; providing help to ex-members; writing reports for church authorities; creating and running a popular website for over twelve years; and contributing to five TV documentaries and shows. His experience is undoubtedly unique and has culminated in 'War and Defeat' - an account of his fascinating odyssey, which includes the many wonderful - and not-so-wonderful - people who have been an essential part of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e John Everett\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1803819871\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781803819877\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Grosvenor House Publishing Limited\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/10\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 408\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.20lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.91d","brand":"John Everett","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47087694348543,"sku":"9781803819877","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_6013a35f-1727-4887-9f4b-9a6c14b8b080.jpg?v=1753850526","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/war-and-defeat-john-everett-9781803819877","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}