Christian Event Showman Hits Out at Pastor Over 'Strip' Show Remarks

A man who performed a sword-swallowing act at a Christian men's conference has hit out at the pastor who criticized his act.

Pastor Mark Driscoll was kicked off stage after he criticized Alex Magala's performance during the opening of the Stronger Men's Conference, held this year at the Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, Missouri, on April 12 and 13.

The conference, organized by the James River Church in Missouri, is about "helping men to become all that God has created them to be," according to its social media pages.

During his performance at the conference, Magala took off his shirt, climbed a pole on stage and swallowed a sword.

Driscoll later criticized the act, likening it to something one might see in a strip club.

However, Driscoll's remarks "failed to recognize the difference between a male strip tease and a stunt performance rooted in art and sport," Magala told Newsweek. "Only an uninformed person would draw a comparison between my act and an inappropriate performance."

He said the act "is deeply rooted in a historical and cultural tradition that dates back over 1,200 years and has since become a respected discipline showcasing human strength and agility."

As a Christian, Magala said he seeks to use his talent "to inspire and entertain audiences in a way that respects my faith."

The performance was designed "to be a celebration of physical human achievements and is aligned with the James River Church's purpose in bringing others into the light of God," he added. "It's essential to approach such performances with an understanding of their intention rather than reducing them to mere entertainment."

And he said he felt his act was perfect to showcase at the conference as it "provides inspiration to the audience and permission for them to reach new heights of what's possible in their lives."

But when Driscoll addressed the audience, he said the "Jezebel spirit" had opened the conference.

He told the audience that Magala "ripped his shirt off like a woman does in front of a pole at a strip club." The man "ascended" a pole on stage, Driscoll said. "Then he swallowed a sword and Jesus cried."

At that point, event organizer John Lindell, the lead pastor of the James River Church, could be heard calling Driscoll's name and telling him that he was "out of line."

Lindell then came on stage as Driscoll departed, while the audience began to boo loudly and chant "bring him back."

"If Mark wanted to say that, he should have said it to me first. He didn't," Lindell said. He then quoted a Bible passage, saying: "Matthew 18. If your brother offends you, go to him privately."

Newsweek contacted Driscoll for comment through a contact form on his website and Lindell via an email to the James River Church.