A church in south London is using former gang members and ex-offenders to help steer others away from a life of crime. Spac Nation Ministries in Southwark says 55% of its congregation have previously been involved in criminal activity, including armed robbery, drug dealing and attempted murder.
The church holds regular amnesties during services, with worshippers urged to bring knives and drugs to the altar. Fellow minister Connor Callaghan said people had dropped weapons and drugs during prayers, including a 23-year-old recently released from prison who was in tears. Callaghan himself has a criminal past, having been jailed for robbery, possessing a bladed article and money laundering £30,000.
Lead pastor Tobi Adegboyega says his success lies in connecting with congregants. He currently has 14 ex-criminals living in his house and has collected people from prison gates to prevent them reoffending. He also dresses casually, wearing ripped jeans while preaching, saying he needs to "look like them" to connect.
The approach has support from the Metropolitan Police. Chief Superintendent Sean Yates, head of the force's knife crime unit, said he wanted churches to be seen as safe spaces. But the church has faced criticism, with some describing it as a cult and questioning the lack of formal training for pastors and the encouragement of wealth. Adegboyega rejects this, saying he shows people "what they've always wanted to be".
The church also takes its message onto the streets. In Croydon, preacher David Adjaye, a former leader of the DSN gang, prays with people on the street. This comes after London recorded its worst year for knife crime in recent times, with 26 teenagers stabbed to death. Minister Daniel Ogoloma said credibility was key: "An elderly person who has never been on the streets of Brixton can't tell a gang leader why they can't carry a knife."
