Alex Magala, the sword-swallower who opened the Stronger Men’s Conference last weekend with a controversial act, defended his performance in a recent statement. He told news publications that as a Christian, he always aims to use his talents to “inspire and entertain audiences” in a way that respects his faith.
The conference, hosted by Pastor John Lindell and James River Church in Springfield, Missouri, seeks to help men “become all that God has created them to be,” according to its Instagram page.
During his act at the Christian conference, Magala took off his shirt, swallowed a sword, climbed up a pole on stage, and then slid down it face first with the sword still in his mouth.
Magala is a two-time Guinness World Record holder, an America’s Got Talent Champions top performer, a Britain’s Got Talent top performer, and a Russia’s Got Talent winner, according to his website. He also was the first person in the history of the Olympics to perform on the pole in the 2014 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
However, the sword-swallower has worked in both women’s and gay nightclubs as a pole dancer, The Roys Report (TRR) reported. And images on his social media pages show Magala in seductive poses and highlight the sexualized nature of his act.
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The day after Magala’s conference performance, disgraced former Mars Hill pastor Mark Driscoll likened Magala’s performance to a “strip” act that exhibited the “Jezebel spirit,” as TRR reported.
“The same thing that’s used in a strip club for women who have the Jezebel spirit to seduce men,” Driscoll said. “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.”
Shortly into Driscoll’s remarks, Pastor Lindell kicked Driscoll of the stage, shouting, “You’re out of line Mark . . . You’re done.”
Lindell then took the stage and told the crowd that “Mark is out of line.” He continued, “If Mark wanted to say that, he should have said it to me first. Matthew 18! Matthew 18! If your brother offends you, go to him privately.”
The sword-swallower, however, said he felt compelled to clarify that his performance was not a strip act, but a “specialty act.”
“My performance, which some have controversially likened to inappropriate entertainment, is deeply rooted in a historical and cultural tradition that dates back over 1,200 years,” he said. “(It) has since become a respected discipline showcasing human strength and agility.”
Magala said that Driscoll’s remarks “failed to recognize the difference between a male strip tease and a stunt performance rooted in art and sport.”
The sword-swallower also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, according to his website.
Magala added that only an “uninformed person” would compare his act to an “inappropriate performance.”
“I feel that this danger act is perfect for the Stronger Men’s Conference,” he said. “It provides inspiration to the audience and permission for them to reach new heights of what’s possible in their lives.”
Magala pointed out that Dan Meyer, leader of Sword Swallowers Association International and his mentor, is a member of Driscoll’s church.
Meyer told the publication ChurchLeaders that Magala’s act wasn’t a “raunchy male pole dance’” or a “stripper” performance.
“Alex is the top of his field as a master in the classical 12th-century martial arts acrobatic discipline called Chinese Pole acrobatics which he performed at the Olympics,” Meyer said. “This is way different than a male stripper. It’s like comparing classical ballet with striptease. No comparison. The convention hired Alex because the theme was ‘strong men’ and Alex is the best at what he does!”
Magala said that he is a Christian and seeks to use his talents in a way that respects his faith while inspiring others.
“The act in question 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 said. “It’s essential to approach such performances with an understanding of their intention rather than reducing them to mere entertainment.”
Despite their public, heated exchange at the conference, Driscoll and Lindell appeared to reconcile. The two men appeared together later in the conference. Driscoll called Lindell his “spiritual father” and Lindell likened Driscoll to John the Baptist.
Driscoll also seemed to walk back the importance of the issue, saying, “The things that matter, we agree on.”
Lindell did not address whether the act was appropriate or not, but simply said the two men may see things differently but are unified on the major tenets of faith.
Freelance journalist Liz Lykins writes for WORLD Magazine, Christianity Today, Ministry Watch, and other publications.
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24 Responses
Research Ashteroth poles; this is satanic. Calling yourself a Christian doesn’t make you one. Same for the men who call themselves women and vice versa. Woe to those involved in this evil; they need to know that God is not mocked. The LORD is revealing the truth about the so-called Christian church & He will also clean house. He is Holy!
Dee,
Oh come on…even without the Spirit of God you have got to be able to discern the difference between working out using a pole – and worshipping Asteroth utilizing I guess some sort of pole…. I can give a thousand analogies – but surely you are intelligent enough to see a literally infinite chasm of difference.
If we were to follow your thinking, the pole jump would now be a Satanic worship ritual….
Greg
This has nothing to do with Ashteroth poles. Neither do barber poles, light poles. traffic light poles, flag poles or the like.
Martial arts too? No surprise.
There is no fellowship between darkness and light, idols and mysticism and the living Lord Jesus Christ. How long before Christians begin separating from the unfruitful works of darkness rather than loving them? According to scripture we shouldn’t hold our breath. 2 Thess 11-12
“How long before Christians begin separating from the unfruitful works of darkness rather than loving them?”
As soon as Christians return to using God’s Commandments as their standards of behavior, preaching directly from the ministry of Jesus, and leading by example by living it.
As a Christian and a human being, I find what Magala and Stranger Men’s Conference do totally uninspiring.
Yes, uninspiring and to say the least deeply flawed. Gathering of collective faith – for men and women – should be about comforting the hurting and edifying people so that they will be built up and instructed in the tenets of the Christian faith. That being, the status of Jesus, the significance of his death and resurrection, his modeling and emphasis on humility, grace, forgiveness, contentment, selfless service, and love for others, yes even real or perceived enemies. All of which that manifests Kingdom power in the present and transcend this life.
Gatherings that must require an entree of entertainment and are constantly seasoned with such, have no faith in, or desire for the natural quality and flavor of the gospel.
I am enraged at the anger and hypocracy of christians condemning this performer. this guys act is a daredevil/acrobatic performance like is on america got talent/circus act. it has NOTHING to do with stripping or sexuality!. Ive seen this guy on many shows and I never had a sexual thought while watching him. he went shirtless!!???……WELL, you must condemn boxing, swimming, wrestliong and basketball as they all show more skin than this performer, and while we are at it we must condemn football and wrestling as they have men touching , grabbing and hitting each other in what some could call very sexual ways that encourages homosexuality!. NEXT, in my personal opinion neither this act or the tank going over cars OR the boxing match at this church/event have ANYTHING to do with christianity or masculinity, Im mad at the tens of thousands of $$$ it cost to have the tank and other acts at this conference. finally mark driscol owes this performer an APOLOGY!.
If it has NOTHING to do with stripping or sexuality. . . . why do you suppose his act was highlighted at Gay Nightclubs?
If you have to blame somebody for this dumpster fire, blame whoever put this guy on the schedule for this event. The two do NOT go together, even in the He-Man Woman-Hater Club of Biblical Manhood.
The great jurist Robert Bork wrote the book “Slouching Towards Gomorrah” and step by step large parts of the church are participating in and fulfilling the trend he saw unfolding in society.
The New Testament names believers as “the called out” but unfortunately many are jumping back in and conforming to the world.
FIRST OF ALL: There’s is a profound failure of “separating the holy from the profane, the clean from unclean” and a general lack of fear of YHVH prevalent in most western churches today.
Honestly, I’m not “perturbed” by such a showmanship or spectacle in a supposedly Christian gathering in a church setting. Much worse goes on daily and weekly in churches; though less spectacular, yet still equally profane and offensive in YHVH’s sight.
My point? re: this case, are we not attempting to strain a gnat, meanwhile swallowing a camel elsewhere?
But, Guinness world record eh?. Impressive. He’s got talent alright. I truly understand needing to “express” himself and his talents and perhaps gifts from God? I think of dancers and gymnasts and such.
The challenge is then, finding out other ways, or avenues to showcase his talents in a way that is more appropriate or decent or edifying. Preferably fully clothed (or ish..), and less provocatively.
As it is written, there’s a time and a place for everything under the sun. There ought to be a place and time for his showmanship of his talents & skills.
My 2 quid tho.
This piece highlights and confirms what many have suspected all along. Driscoll’s objection and Lindell’s response – it was all scripted and performative. Much like professional wrestling, it was all part of the show. The performer is talented, and while the Stronger Men’s thing is dubious at best, his undeniably breathtaking performance does fit with the conference’s aesthetic and is similar to the array of performances in past years. Key word is performance – it was all performative and Driscoll was using it to promote his book about paganism and demons. Do you really think Driscoll has any motives apart from promoting Driscoll?
“My performance, which some have controversially likened to inappropriate entertainment, is deeply rooted in a historical and cultural tradition that dates back over 1,200 years,” he said. “(It) has since become a respected discipline showcasing human strength and agility.”
So not rooted in scriptural truth under God’s Laws, and relying on the approval of society for a defense.
““The act in question 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 said.”
How? Where is God represented? You are aligning with “the James River Church’s purpose”, not God’s.
“Driscoll called Lindell his “spiritual father” and Lindell likened Driscoll to John the Baptist.”
This is repulsive, we are not to call any man “Father”, nor are we to compare ourselves with other men, only Jesus’ example, anything outside of that example is a man made standard.
Methinks Mark Driscoll doth protest too much.
Always has.
Especially about matters related to male sexuality.
You can’t make this stuff up. To paraphrase Tom Clancy, the difference between reality and fiction is that fiction has to be believable.
Those in favour of the activities in this event meant to empower men to be as “God wants them to be”, God wants us to be more like Jesus The Christ. We cannot empower anyone let alone ourselves.Only Jesus Christ can, by His spirit. We can only encourage each other. Leaders remember:
1 corinthians 8:9-13
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?
So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
I liked the Holy Post’s discussion of this and especially Skye’s point about how the whole thing- conference, this performer and the performer Driscoll: so encapsulates the ‘circus’ of this corner of american evangelicalism…. We’re such clowns, so unserious, so immature… no wonder the world mocks us. This shows they are often right in not wanting to listen to us or give us the benefit of the doubt. This whole thing including all the other preceding ‘macho’ manly conferences like it are pure foolishness! If your a man and want to follow Jesus, never go to one of these circus shows. Grow up, put on your God-given critical thinking, study & imitate Christ, learn humility, learn service, learn gentleness/kindness, learn wisdom! This ridiculous american-macho-man dressed in christianize is disgusting… and profanes the name of Jesus!
Andrew…to the T. Thank you.
The real controversy here is that this man–someone who professes to be a Christian but makes his living performing at gay and straight strip clubs and promoting it through his social media–was invited to a so-called Christian conference to inspire men to be more like Jesus. Nothing shocks me anymore.
Wait… how is it possible that no one has commented on this paragraph yet…
“ Magala pointed out that Dan Meyer, leader of Sword Swallowers Association International and his mentor, is a member of Driscoll’s church.”
Seriously… WAY too much material there to go unnoticed.
It’s like low hanging fruit for a weekend news update…
First, there is an international association of people who do this?
They have a leader?
Who has a website?
Who “happens” to live in Arizona.
Who “happens” to attend Trinity Church?
C’mon… now you are just yanking our collective chains…
You missed he doesn’t just attend the church he’s a member and Mark Driscoll’s mentor!
Wow!! Both parties behavior is not of Christ! However, the wheat and the chaff will be revealed!! Another spectacle.. keep entertainment out of the church!! Jesus is casting out the merchants, turning over tables!
Hmm. . . ““Alex is the top of his field as a master in the classical 12th-century martial arts acrobatic discipline called Chinese Pole acrobatics which he performed at the Olympics,” Meyer said. “This is way different than a male stripper. It’s like comparing classical ballet with striptease. . . . ”
I had no idea that Gay Nightclubs that featured this young man were so interested in Chinese Pole acrobatics, which is way different than a male stripper.
Do the Gay Nightclubs also feature classical ballet?