Have you seen this man?
For those fortunate enough to have spent the summer in Brighton, you’ve likely come across a young man named Ollie Sabatelli. Ollie, better known by his online handle “ollieknowinghim”, has gained some traction over the last year for his polarising, outspoken declaration of propositions from the Christian Bible.
From London Road to Kemptown, the street preacher has gone out with a microphone and speaker, spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ, instructing the public to repent. After a series of noise complaints and tense altercations with members of the public, Brighton and Hove police issued a dispersal order, banning Sabatelli from Brighton’s streets for 24 hours. Shortly after, he announced on social media that he would be moving on to Guildford to continue his work. Many of Sabatelli’s followers have commended his work, stating, “Brighton is without excuse!” while others congratulated the preacher on being the “most unpopular man in Brighton”. As a Christian, I can certainly acknowledge the issues with Ollie’s conduct and will address these further on. Still, before I do, I’d like to examine his gospel message to clarify this discussion.
TO BE CLEAR, WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS?
“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life“. What does this mean? Whether you’ve encountered this gospel for the first or hundredth time, you may wonder why Ollie feels it’s necessary to share it loudly during your weekly shop.
In the beginning, God created mankind in his image. Yet our desire to be like God and possess the knowledge of good and evil corrupted our hearts, causing sin. Humanity has attempted to restore order through various systems – Marxism, Socialism, Communism, and Capitalism – but none has solved the problem of sin. We fight to live and love freely, yet remain entangled in the selfishness, anger, and pride of our hearts.
The Bible tells two stories simultaneously: God’s desire for a relationship with humanity, and humanity’s consistent return to sin. God, recognising our weakness, sent Jesus Christ to live perfectly, die for our sins, and offer eternal life. For believers, this is hope: that through acknowledgement and faith, we can be freed from brokenness and join God in eternity.
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH OLLIE
Christians argue that Jesus was far more than a moral teacher, claiming him as the Son of God. For them, sharing the gospel is like showing a thirsty person where to find water. The message has life, and Ollie and other preachers are motivated to share it.
Yet delivery matters. Many found Sabetelli’s approach intimidating. Standing outside the London Road Co-Op, shoppers often rushed past, unable to hear or engage with the message over the amplified sound.
PUBLIC NUISANCE OR PERSECUTION?
The gospel can offend because it challenges natural human instincts. Historically, this has led to persecution: early Christians were executed under Roman rule, and even today, worship in some countries can lead to imprisonment or torture. In Brighton, Sabatelli was spat at, slapped, verbally and physically harassed, and briefly banned. Raising the question of whether this was persecution or a response to anti-social behaviour.
Noise pollution, however, is a practical concern. Cities such as Birmingham have banned amplification for buskers and street preachers to protect their local businesses. As Dave Williams of FaithRooths, notes, critics of the noise and critics of religious restriction may be reacting to the same behaviour, just for different reasons.
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
Jesus taught with humility and authority, performing miracles and sharing wisdom with crowds, but never argued aggressively or hurled abuse at passersby. This should serve as a model for evangelism: share the message with wisdom, respect, and self-control.
Brighton’s churches illustrate this approach. Calvary Church hosts a book table on London Road; Grace Church runs a quiet outreach and questionnaires, partnering with a Texan church for Love Brighton Mission Week; Brighton City Mission operates a foodbank; Holland Road Baptist offers debt counselling and winter lunches. These examples show that spreading the gospel doesn’t require confrontation – service, dialogue, and community engagement can be just as effective.
The Takeaway
Having had the opportunity to discuss this topic with several older, wiser members of my church community, I learned a few things about Ollie Sabatelli. Firstly, it appears that he was not connected to a local body or any church, for that matter. Questions were raised over who is holding him accountable and whether he is receiving counsel. I know some elders of Brighton’s churches discussed and prayed over Ollie’s presence in the city due to the harassment and the number of complaints he was receiving. And as a result, it appears he has since found a better arrangement.
Another article you might enjoy: https://thebadgeronline.com/2025/09/england-flags-patriotic-or-racist/
