Controversy erupted at the Stronger Men’s Conference in Springfield, Missouri, organized by James River Church, a notable Pentecostal megachurch, when Pastor Mark Driscoll publicly criticized a ‘strip-show-like performance by Alexandr Magala, a sword swallower and Vegas performer known for his past as a male stripper.
The incident unfolded after Magala, also recognized for his appearances on “Britain’s Got Talent,” performed at the conference with a shirtless act.
The outspoken pastor took the stage and expressed his dismay, suggesting that the performance was akin to the seductive acts found in a strip club and indicative of a “Jezebel spirit.”
The term “Jezebel spirit” originates from the Biblical figure Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, who is mentioned in the Books of Kings in the Old Testament.
In contemporary Christian thought, the “Jezebel spirit” is seen as a demonic spirit or influence that leads individuals, particularly women (though not exclusively), to engage in similar behaviors ascribed to Jezebel, such as manipulation, sexual immorality, and rebellion against God’s ordained order.
Below is the performance from sword swallower Alexandr Magala:
Megachurch has strip-show-like performance at men’s conference. Guest speaker Mark Driscoll spoke out against it and was kicked off stage.
Unbelievable that any church would allow this. Reason #538 not to attend a megachurch.#ChristIsKing @pearlythingz @sovereignbrah @scrowder… pic.twitter.com/Fl2Vd3DDhn
— Caeden (@thecfrazier) April 14, 2024
“The Jezebel spirit opened our event… On it was a pole… The same thing that’s used in the strip club for women who have the Jezebel spirit to seduce men. In front of that was a man who ripped his shirt off like a woman does in front of a pole at a strip club… That man, then, is sinning,” Driscoll said.
John Lindell argued that Driscoll had crossed a line by not bringing his concerns directly to him before addressing the audience.
“If your brother offends you, go to him privately. I talked to Mark for a half hour. There was not one word… If he wanted to say it, he could say it to me first. He didn’t. You may not agree with me. You may not agree with him. But we are brothers in Christ, and there’s a right way to handle this,” Lindell said.
According to social media users, the two pastors later returned to the stage to discuss the proper way to handle such disagreements within the church community.
The social media response has been mixed. One user defended the performance as mere male acrobatics, arguing that seeing it as sexual in nature speaks to the viewer’s own issues. Conversely, Twitter user Caeden, who shared the video, emphasized Magala’s history as a stripper, suggesting that the performance’s intent was indeed sexual.
He added, “This was NOT an issue with the Lindell, this was an issue with a performance that happened in front of the church, therefore it should be addressed publicly. Lindell made it an issue about him, which is even more alarming because he DID allow it.”
WATCH:
NEW: Pastor Mark Driscoll gets kicked off stage at a men’s conference after he calls out pastor John Lindell for allowing a demonstration from a male stripper.
The incident happened at the Stronger Men’s Conference in Springfield, MO.
After Vegas stripper and ‘sword swallower’… pic.twitter.com/hlDHqHHriY
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 14, 2024
Of course the head pastor wanted the matter discussed privately, because he wanted no bad publicity!
But I am so grateful it was prayerfully addressed in the middle of the early morning hours by the man who exposed it, and then he courageously brought it up to all in the congregation and ultimately it got out to the public. Everyone should know about what this so-called “church” is doing.
This pole act aligns with the evils of the world, it in no way honors God Almighty nor does it do anything for strengthening and edifying the conference going men in attendance.
What a lewd and despicable thing! God fearing people of the Lord realize this performance was NOT of God!
As far as ‘church’ goes – I’m a ‘dunner’. We’ve made the rounds. From a community church to a baptist church to an assembly of god church to a four-square church to a non-denominational church. DONE…w/ ALL of it! Done, putting up w/ arrogant, condescending assholes who call themselves ‘pastor’, only to live off other peoples’ money their entire lives, all the while telling them they need to give more. I’ll give you assholes more. I’ll give you a fucking bullet in head before I listen to one more fucking word come out of your mouth. You’ll look better (to me) w/ your brains splattered all over the sidewalk. Now you can preach to God how you think he should act. FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU!