Christian street preacher Jesse Samuel Ngoma has sparked debate online after footage of his arrest while preaching in central London began circulating across social media.

Videos shared online appear to show Ngoma surrounded by Metropolitan Police officers in London's Chinatown before being arrested, with the incident quickly attracting attention from his supporters and critics.

Ngoma has built a sizeable online following through his public evangelism and regularly preaches Christianity on streets across the UK. His ministry, Perfected in Jesus, centres around spreading the Gospel, with many of his encounters with members of the public documented online.

However, the exact circumstances surrounding his latest arrest remain unclear. At the time of writing, a detailed police account confirming the alleged offence does not appear to have been made public.

The footage has nevertheless sparked a wider conversation around religious freedom. Some viewers expressed disbelief at seeing a Christian preacher arrested in England, arguing that Christianity is deeply rooted within the country's history and institutions. Others said Ngoma should be allowed to publicly deliver sermons and express his religious beliefs without being detained.

However, critics have pushed back against claims that he was arrested simply for preaching Christianity. Videos and accounts circulating alongside the incident have prompted claims that Ngoma had been preaching messages condemning homosexuality near LGBTQ+ nightlife, with some arguing that this context changes how the arrest should be viewed.

Critics said there is a difference between peacefully preaching Christianity and directing provocative messages about sexuality towards people around LGBTQ+ venues, with some arguing that police intervention was therefore justified. Without confirmation from police, however, it remains unclear what conduct specifically led officers to make the arrest.

It isn't Ngoma's first encounter with police while street preaching. In September 2025, he and fellow evangelists John Thomas and Ollie Sabatelli were detained while preaching in Brighton following allegations of a public disturbance.

Police reportedly confiscated some of the group's sound equipment and instructed them not to return to the area for 24 hours. The preachers disputed suggestions they had caused trouble and argued their religious expression was being restricted.

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