News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

rev-chris-lee-pa-wire-main_article_image.jpg
Rev Chris Lee/PA Wire
UK News

Popular Instagram priest wants to use influence for the Gospel

Rev Chris Lee, vicar at St Saviour's church in west London has been compared to the "hot priest" in the TV programme Fleabag as Marie Claire featured a number of so-called "hot priests" and their growing social media following.

Rev Lee has over 100,000 followers on his Instagram account, on which he shares regular posts of family snaps, but also "60-second sermons" and faith-based posts.

Rev Lee told Premier being labelled as an "influencer" is an "interesting one - I try to obviously influence people for good. So, in that way, yes, I would see that I have a responsibility or I have the opportunity, the platform in which to engage with people.

On the message of faith, the message of hope, a message on what can be seen as sometimes a superficial platform and tell people, 'you're loved, your value bought exists. So that's how I try and talk to people online and influence them for good rather than for kind of some kind of vain pursuit that social media can sometimes be useful."

He told Premier how he felt being described as a "hot priest": "Well, at first it was a bit weird, it's a bit embarrassing but I think it's not a stretch to think why people are looking at a young priests and comparing them to young priests. I think it's an easy comparison, but it was weird and strange."

As the vicar's social media reach continues to grow, Rev Lee told Premier he aims to keep his social media posts "accessible, personal, powerful and loving".

Rev Lee says there is a "growing hunger amongst the young" for greater depth and to explore faith and engaging with people through social people is a great way to encourage that, saying it "is a platform in which that can happen," he said.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate