Skip to content

Caleb Parke

  • About
  • Interviews
  • Good News
  • Contact
  • Toggle search form

BIG WIN! Street Preacher Was Allowed to Evangelize During Pandemic

Posted on July 23, 2021August 15, 2021 By Caleb Parke

A street preacher in London had a case against him thrown out for evangelizing on Good Friday last year.

Joshua Sutcliffe, 31, along with a socially distanced friend, was preaching and handing out leaflets in Camden, North London, on April 10, 2020, when they were stopped by police, according to Christian Concern.

Click here to get positive story updates in your inbox!

“I was surrounded by four police officers, which was very intimidating. They treated me like a second-class citizen,” Sutcliffe said. “I am a Christian minister of the gospel, which not so long ago was a treasured and respected vocation in the UK.”

He was detained and given a fine of £60, but after being represented by Christian Legal Centre on July 6 at the City of London Magistrates, Sutcliffe had all charges dropped.

The street preacher told the court he was on his way home from evangelizing when he handed his shoes to a homeless man, which he would not have been able to do online.

Handing down judgment, the magistrate said: “We find the defendant not guilty on all charges.  We find that the defendant was outside and that he had a reasonable excuse as he was travelling to his place of work, as a worship leader.

“Whilst he was in a gathering and therefore in breach of regulation 7, however, the parties were together and were allowed to rely on articles 9, 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Their gathering was limited in duration, and they were entitled to gather for street evangelising.”

Sutcliffe said he is glad reason and justice prevailed.

“During times of need, people need the hope of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what I do on a regular basis,” he said. “I go to the streets and proclaim the hope and truth of the resurrection of Christ. I was doing this on Good Friday, one of the most important days in the Christian calendar to do this.”

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, celebrated the individual case, but is worried about the bigger picture.

“We are seeing a lot of inconsistencies from police and the judiciary in these cases,” Wiliams said. “Christians have been easy targets for police during the pandemic while other groups gathering in significant numbers have been favored by the police.”

Caleb Parke is a senior correspondent for the ‘Todd Starnes Show.’ Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and connect with him at calebparke.com.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
Good News Tags:faith, Good News

Post navigation

Previous Post: Son Donates Liver to Father: ‘It’s a Miracle from God’
Next Post: ‘Nothing Short of Heroic’: Police Officers Save Mom, Baby Trapped Underneath Car

More Related Articles

AGT’s Golden Buzzer Singer Nightbirde Gives Cancer Update: ‘Miracle After Miracle’ Good News
Alabama Waffle House Cooks Up Surprise to Get Employee to Graduation Good News
Ex-Porn Star-Turned-Pastor Shares ‘Real Risk in Consuming Pornography,’ Helps Others Get Free Good News
Heroic Police Officer Saves Choking Baby: ‘Happy Tears’ Good News
Atlanta pastor surprised by anonymous gift that saved services Good News
‘Better Late Than Never’: 94-Year-Old Alabama Woman Gets High School Diploma Good News

Copyright © 2023 Caleb Parke.

Powered by PressBook Blog WordPress theme