Controversy erupted at the Stronger Men's Conference in Springfield, Missouri, hosted by James River Church, a prominent Pentecostal megachurch, when Pastor Mark Driscoll publicly criticized a striptease-like performance by famed sword swallower and Las Vegas performer Alexandre Magala. In the past, I was a male stripper.
The incident comes after Magala, who is also recognized for appearing on 'Britain's Got Talent', performed shirtless at a conference. The outspoken pastor took to the stage to express her own disappointment, saying the performance was similar to the seductive acts seen at her strip club and hinted at a “Jezebel mentality.”
The term Jezebel spirit comes from the character Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, in the Old Testament Book of Kings.
In modern Christian thought, the “Jezebel spirit” is viewed as a demonic spirit or influence that leads individuals, especially (though not exclusively) women, to engage in Jezebel-like behavior, including manipulation, sexual immorality, and rebellion against the will of God. established order.
Below is a performance by sword swallower Alexandr Magala.
Megachurches perform striptease-like performances at men's conferences. Guest speaker Mark Driscoll spoke out against this and was kicked off the stage.
I can't believe that any church allows this. Reason for not attending megachurch #538.#Christ is King @pearlythingz @sovereignbrah @Scrouder… pic.twitter.com/Fl2Vd3DDhn
— Caeden (@thecfrazier) April 14, 2024
“The Jezebel Spirit opened our event… There was a pillar on top of it… The same ones used in strip clubs for women with a Jezebel spirit to attract men. In front of him was a man tearing his shirt like a woman in front of a pole in a strip club… If so, the man is sinning,” Driscoll said.
John Lindell argued that Driscoll crossed the line by not directly communicating his concerns before addressing the audience.
“If your brother offends you, approach him quietly. I talked to Mark for 30 minutes. There wasn't a word… If you want to talk, you can tell me first. He wasn't like that. You may not agree with me. You may not agree with that person. But we are brothers in Christ and there is a right way to handle this,” Lindell said.
According to social media users, the two pastors later took the stage again to discuss how to handle differences within the church community.
Reaction on social media was mixed. One user defended the performance as simply a male stunt, arguing that viewing the performance as inherently sexual speaks to the viewer's own problems. Conversely, Twitter user Kayden, who shared the video, emphasized Magala's background as a stripper and suggested that the intention of the performance was actually sexual.
He added, “This is not a problem with Lindell, but a problem with the performance that took place in front of the church, so it is a problem that must be dealt with publicly.” Lindell took issue with it, which was all the more surprising because he allowed it.”
Gateway Pundit has reached out to the Stronger Men's Conference for comment.
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NEW: Pastor Mark Driscoll has been kicked off stage at a men's conference after criticizing Pastor John Lindell for allowing male strippers to demonstrate.
The incident occurred at the Stronger Men's Conference in Springfield, Missouri.
Vegas stripper, following ‘Swallow the Sword’… pic.twitter.com/hlDHqHHriY
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 14, 2024