Steve Maile, a senior pastor with over 35 years in evangelical ministry, was dramatically arrested by British police while preaching on a public street in Watford, Hertfordshire. The footage of his arrest has gone viral online, triggering anger among his supporters who describe the incident as a gross injustice.
Maile, senior pastor of Oasis City Church and a prominent figure in apostolic evangelical circles, was detained in front of his wife, Karina, his co-pastor, and their children. Video footage shows him calmly preaching as officers move in to restrain him. He insists that he is doing nothing wrong, repeatedly stating, “There is no offence being committed here. None whatsoever.”
“You cannot arrest me. I am a preacher of the Gospel,” Maile says directly to the police. Even while being handcuffed, he urges the crowd to “repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you’ll be saved.” His wife was visibly shaken, and their children were reportedly reduced to tears by the scene.
In a video update posted early the following morning, Maile described the arrest as “absolutely brutalised” and deeply traumatic. He said he was in “excruciating pain,” double handcuffed, and held for hours in custody. Despite this, he strongly denied any wrongdoing.
“The allegations against me are completely false,” he said, adding that he was interrogated for hours before being released on three months’ bail — a move he called “absolute nonsense.” Despite the ordeal, Maile vowed to continue preaching.
“You will never, ever stop Steve Maile preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he declared, promising to seek the strongest legal help available.
Steve Maile converted to Christianity in Auckland, New Zealand in 1979, leaving behind a career as a head chef to travel the world preaching. He has ministered in over 50 countries and worked alongside some of the biggest names in the evangelical movement.
He and his wife Karina founded Oasis City Church in Watford, where they serve as co-pastors and raise their four children, some of whom are also involved in the ministry.
As of now, Hertfordshire Police have not confirmed the reason for Maile’s arrest, and no formal charges have been publicly disclosed. The pastor denies all allegations made against him.
The dramatic street arrest of a veteran pastor preaching the gospel continues to raise questions about faith, freedom, and law enforcement in the UK today.
Originally published by UKNIP.
