Noel Stanton

Noel Stanton (25 December 1926 – 20 May 2009) was the founder of the Jesus Army, also known as the Jesus Fellowship Church, a charismatic Christian movement known for its communal living. Under his leadership from 1957 until shortly before his death, the church grew from a small Baptist congregation in Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire, into a nationwide network of communities that attracted individuals from marginalised backgrounds, including the homeless and those recovering from addiction.

Following his death in 2009, numerous allegations emerged implicating Stanton in fostering a culture of control and abuse; former members reported cases of sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse, including minors being subjected to coercion and assault, leading to official investigations and a redress scheme to compensate over 40 identified victims.

The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust closed in 2020 following scandals, and issued a closure statement including an unreserved apology for the abuse that occurred in the Jesus Fellowship Church and the residential New Creation Christian Community (NCCC).