Evangelist Ray Comfort says a routine street outreach turned unexpected when a woman falsely accused him of chasing her down a California pier.

The Christian Post reported that Comfort, 75, explained that the accusation was quickly withdrawn after he informed police the encounter had been completely captured by his team’s cameras, showing no wrongdoing.

The incident occurred during a public evangelism session held by Comfort and his ministry team from Living Waters at Huntington Beach, a southern California location frequently used for their outreach efforts. Comfort, a New Zealand-born author and speaker, is known for discussing Christian beliefs about the afterlife with people in public settings. That day, he approached a woman to ask about her views on Heaven and eternal life.

According to Comfort, the dialogue began like many others: he asked if she believed in an afterlife and whether she thought she would be accepted into Heaven. He then explained the Ten Commandments as part of his usual message, telling her that no one is inherently good enough to earn eternal salvation through merit alone. Comfort said the woman initially seemed receptive and listened closely to his points.

However, the exchange shifted when she criticized his approach, stating that if Comfort were a real Christian, he would be emphasizing God’s love instead. After making that statement, she walked away from the conversation without further incident. Comfort noted that this type of reaction, while uncommon, does happen during street preaching.

Police Called Following Disputed Exchange

Minutes after their conversation ended, the woman returned, accompanied by three officers from the Huntington Beach Police Department. She claimed that Comfort had chased her down the pier, an accusation he immediately denied. The evangelist told officers that the entire conversation had been recorded on two cameras operated by his crew from Living Waters.

The presence of these video recordings seemed to bring the situation to a swift conclusion. When Comfort mentioned the existence of the footage, the woman left the scene without offering any further explanation. Comfort later stated that the videos clearly showed no aggressive behavior, with the woman even smiling as she walked away flanked by two staff members.

“I told the officers that we had two cameras rolling during the entire incident,” Comfort said. He added that the footage provided immediate clarity, preventing what he called a potentially damaging misunderstanding. He emphasized that in today's digital era, reputations can be endangered almost instantly by false claims.

Importance of Transparency in Public Ministry

Describing the moment as “scary,” Comfort pointed out how rapidly public opinion can shift based on unproven allegations, especially on social media. He said the experience reinforced his belief in maintaining integrity and ensuring transparency in public ministry work. “That’s why integrity matters more than ever,” he said.

Comfort has spent decades sharing his Christian faith in public venues and through various media. He co-hosts “Way of the Master,” an international television program, and runs a popular YouTube channel that features many of his street interviews and evangelism events. These platforms aim to train others in communicating religious beliefs clearly and respectfully.

Living Waters, Comfort’s ministry, is based in Bellflower, California, located about 15 minutes north of Disneyland. The facility functions as the organization’s headquarters, handling media production, literature distribution, and training for outreach teams. While the ministry usually reports positive public interactions, officials acknowledged that not all encounters go as planned.

Unrelated Break-In Attempt at Ministry Office

In a separate matter earlier this summer, the Living Waters headquarters was the target of an attempted break-in. In July, Comfort's wife noticed a man trying to access the facility by tugging at locked doors. She alerted authorities immediately.

Officers who responded found the suspect, described as a man in his 30s, barricaded inside the property. Police said he was under the influence of drugs and reportedly had a knife in his possession. The response included multiple squad cars, fire trucks, an ambulance, and aerial support.

Comfort noted that the officers acted professionally after he identified himself at the scene. “They were very friendly when I explained who I was,” he said. Despite the alarming circumstances, no one was harmed, and the situation was de-escalated without incident.

Broader Message of Caution and Faith

Both events, the false accusation during the outreach and the security scare at his ministry, led Comfort to reflect on the challenges faced by public figures. He warned about the dangers of false claims in the current era of fast-spreading information and emphasized the value of captured evidence to uphold the truth. “I’m thankful for God’s protection and that the truth was captured on video for everyone to see,” he said.

Comfort’s ministry has long advocated for open dialogue about religion, even in settings that may bring disagreement. Though he acknowledges that reactions can vary widely, he maintains that respectful communication remains key. He advised others in ministry to take precautions, document their interactions, and always remain calm and honest in public engagement.

As the Huntington Beach Police Department has not yet commented publicly on the incident, questions remain about how such accusations are assessed during public disputes. Comfort hopes the release of video footage will prevent any confusion and serve as a reminder of the importance of due process and documented truth.