Draft:Lincoln Russ
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Lincoln Russ | |
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| Years active | 2022-present |
Lincoln Russ is a New Zealand street preacher[1], self-described pastor, and evangelist based in Christchurch. He is the founder of an independent ministry known as Church On Fire (also styled "Church on the Streets").
Russ has attracted national media coverage in New Zealand for confrontational, amplified street preaching against homosexuality, abortion, and sex outside marriage. He also gained attention for a self-funded "Repentance Tour" of New Zealand towns, for controversies including allegations of abusive conduct in a past relationship,[2] and disputes over church premises.
Background
[edit]Russ was raised attending Destiny Church and had religious parents, before rebelling as a teenager.[3] He is reported to live in Christchurch, where he began his street preaching activities.[3]
Before establishing himself as a preacher, Russ described himself online as a "paedophile catcher", running a Facebook page on which he posted about confronting people he accused of being paedophiles. The page was later removed.[4]
Street preaching and Repentance Tour
[edit]Russ's preaching style, which he calls "Church on the Streets", typically involves walking through public areas while shouting into a radio microphone, amplified by a companion carrying a portable speaker.[3] His sermons have focused on opposition to homosexuality, transgender identity, abortion, and premarital sex, all of which he has said should be made illegal.[3][5]
In 2023, Russ launched what he called a "Repentance Tour", an attempt to visit dozens of New Zealand towns and cities, funded largely through public donations solicited on social media. He stated an intention to visit all 66 New Zealand towns and cities with a population over 20,000. Though he reportedly only visited some cities, mostly in the South Island.[3]
Wānaka and Queenstown incident
[edit]In January 2023, Russ was reported to have been shut down by members of the public in Queenstown and Wānaka after using a PA system to preach about "repenting of homosexuality." It drew angry confrontations from bystanders.[6]
Auckland appearance
[edit]In February 2023, NZ Skeptics writer Craig Shearer described attending one of Russ's advertised Auckland appearances, where a promised large crowd and a claimed security detail failed to materialise. An estimated dozen supporters from a single congregation attended, and Russ concluded his preaching after an estimated five minutes. In an interview afterwards, Russ told the writer he supported making abortion a capital offence and expressed a belief in predestination.[3]
Christchurch busker incident
[edit]In April 2023, Russ was filmed interrupting a Christchurch street performer known as "Sven from Sweden" during the Easter weekend, taking over the performer's amplified sound system to preach. The incident drew criticism from bystanders and was widely shared on social media.[4]
Church On Fire
[edit]In 2024, Russ established a new ministry under the name Church On Fire. He solicited donations from supporters.[7]
Services were reportedly held at a social housing complex. Russ was later asked to leave after complaints. Russ also claims he was also trespassed from Northlands Shopping Centre for praying with a woman.[7][8]
Allegations and criticism
[edit]A 2023 Stuff investigation by journalist Nadine Roberts examined Russ's background and public conduct, reporting that a former girlfriend said his behaviour had a severely negative effect on her. Russ was accused of verbal and physical abuse.[9]
In 2022, columnist Shaneel Lal criticised a Christmas Eve preaching appearance by Russ on Cuba Street in Wellington, in which Russ argued it was a curse for a woman to lead a nation, attributed floods and other disasters to national sin, and stated he expected to be jailed or killed for his beliefs. Lal also reported that Russ had said abortion should be punishable by execution and had suggested rape victims who fail to report an assault should bear partial responsibility for a rapist's later crimes.[5]
Views
[edit]Russ describes himself as a Christian fundamentalist and evangelist. He has publicly stated opposition to homosexuality, abortion, transgender rights, and sex outside marriage, describing these as contributing to divine judgement against New Zealand.[5][3] He has also expressed support for a more socially conservative government and stated a belief in predestination.[3] Russ maintains he is celibate and has said he does not believe a woman should divorce an abusive husband.[3]
NZ Skeptics reported that Russ has claimed to have healed a follower of cancer through prayer, and that he has said he believes thousands of people want to kill him and that only a trained security team prevents this. The article's author suggested Russ's conduct reflected either a psychological need for attention or a strategy to attract followers and donations.[3]
References
[edit]- ↑ Boland, Kristie (6 July 2023). "Accusations of racism from protesters as 'Stop Co-Governance' event bars Māori women". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
- ↑ Roberts, Nadine (4 March 2023). "Preaching a dubious gospel / by Nadine Roberts". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Shearer, Craig (13 February 2023). "Lincoln Russ". NZ Skeptics. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Self-proclaimed paedophile catcher turned Self-proclaimed Pastor filmed interrupting street performer". Chris Lynch Media. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Lal, Shaneel. "Christian fundamentalist Lincoln Russ willing to go to jail for Jesus". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Quinlivan, Mark (27 January 2023). "Self-proclaimed 'Christian leader' Lincoln Russ shut down in Queenstown, Wānaka after ranting about 'repenting of homosexuality'". Stuff/Newshub. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- 1 2 Roberts, Nadine (29 April 2024). "'Church on Fire': Controversial street preacher sets up new faith centre". Stuff. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Roberts, Nadine (10 June 2024). "Controversial pastor kicked out of social housing complex". Stuff. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Roberts, Nadine (2 March 2023). "Street preacher's dubious gospel: Warnings over 'evangelist's' influence". Stuff. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
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