Megachurch Pastor Sparks Controversy at Men’s Conference

It may be unsurprising to hear, but churches even have a flair for the dramatics.

The Stronger Men’s Conference in Springfield, Missouri, was held over the weekend – which is organized by James River Church, a prominent Pentecostal mega church.

However, the conference took a controversial turn when Alexander Magala took the stage to perform.

Magala is known for many different roles: a sword swallower, Vegas performer, appearances on Britain’s got Talent”, and his work as a male stripper.

Magala’s performance may be viewed here:

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

It is his last role which infuriated Pastor Mark Driscoll.

While attending the conference as a guest pastor, Driscoll took the stage to express his displeasure of the performance.

Watch Driscoll’s comments on Magala’s performance here:

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

For those who are unaware, a “Jezebel spirit” comes from the Biblical figure Jezebel, who was the wife of King Ahab and is mentionaed in the Books of Kings within the Old Testament.

Many Christians refer the term “Jezebel spirit” as a demonic spirit.

Oftentimes, this influence leads individuals to engage in behaviors associated with Jezebel, like manipulation, sexual immorality, and rebellion against God’s order.

Pastor John Lindell, the lead Pastor for James River Church ordered Driscoll to leave and went to address the audience, USA Today provides more on his comments:

“He’s out of line,” Lindell told the audience.

The pastor then cited a bible verse, Matthew 18, as Driscoll left the stage.

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother,” states Matthew 18:15, the verse Lindell cited as he asked Driscoll to leave the stage.

“If Mark wanted to say that, he should have said it to me first,” Lindell said. “Matthew 18, if your brother offends you go to him privately … I talked to Mark for half an hour; there was not one word of that.”

While Driscoll was kicked off the stage by Lindell for his comments, many took to X to sing their praises of his actions:

Mark didn't say "my brother offended me". No, he called out public sin in a public way. That is biblical rebuke.

He named no names, yet Lindell was the one who shot back. Why? Because Mark was right and Lindell was the culprit.

— The LFB (@The_LFB) April 15, 2024

Completely inappropriate to have that male stripper at that event.

Even worse to kick off stage a pastor for condemning the lewd act.

What’s happening to Christianity in America?

Hopefully this scene is just an outlier.

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) April 15, 2024

This is the same men’s conference Mark Driscoll spoke at where he was kicked off the stage. Last year they pulled a stunt meant to impress men perpetually stuck in boyhood. It’s not just unchristian. It’s totally stupid. pic.twitter.com/IOFazP5GR6

— Reed Uberman (@ReedUberman) April 16, 2024

Exactly! The pastor did what was right!

— Noel (@RightFighter29) April 16, 2024

Not sure why the Church feels the need for any type of performer during their conferences, but they need to get back to simply spreading the word of God.