VOL. XIII, NO. 7
FEBRUARY 11, 1972

Jesus Movement a Rebirth For Society's Rejects
By JILL FALSTAD

Everyone has heard about the widespread d r u g problem, crime, immorality, and youth's increasing dissatisfaction with society; but little is known about the movement toward good, toward a meaningful life in Jesus Christ.

This is what the new Jesus Movement is about. In every area of the country, people who used to be society's problems are now finding their own answers in a society they used to just reject.

The majority of converts are young people. They have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior and asked him to run their lives. After reading the Bible, they interpret it literally, living by very strict rules.

Because most Jesus People had no home other than the drug cult in which they lived, they now have nowhere to go. A "born again Christian," which is one name for Jesus People, cannot be expected to return to his environment of drugs and immorality and withstand temptation without help.

They live in communes. Here is where they receive help and guidance in leading a life in Christ. Here is where most of society's establishment misunderstands the Movement toward Christ. There is nothing involved with immorality in these communes.
 Much of their time is spent praying, talking, and experienc-ing God with others in the commune. Many do not work, not because they can't or won't but because they devote all of their time learning about the Word of God and teaching it to people on the streets.

In several churches Jesus People are not welcome because of their long hair and long dresses. They are still different from society, and most of them still resent and fear the establishment.

Slowly but surely efforts are being made to help work the Jesus People back into society. It is hard for them to overcome all fears since most of these fears are justified. In many cases parents are more confused by this new love of life than they were when their kids rejected them.

One member of the Jesus Movement said, "When I went back home to explain to my parents what had happened in my life, they both were fearful. My mother said that she wished I was still on drugs because at least that she understood."

The Jesus Movement must be supported by individuals. In many cases benefactors do not even believe in God but are concerned with the drug problem. They see the results the Jesus People have when dealing with society's "rejects."

Surely this movement is more than just a fad! Many people who were on the verge of suicide, because of a life without meaning, have turned to Jesus and live with life anew.