An Evangelical Pastor has gone viral over the weekend for a video in which he appears to rub his spit in the face of a parishioner who joins him on stage. The demonstration would raise eyebrows at any time, but given we’re still in a pandemic, many blasted the pastor’s actions as reprehensible.
Related: Pastor says gay people kill themselves as they “know it’s wrong” and “hate doing it”
Mike Todd, 34, is the lead pastor with the Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In the clip, he warns his parishioners that, “Receiving vision from God might get nasty.” He then literally coughs and snorts up some saliva and phlegm into the palm of his hand.
“And this is where most people would not face Jesus anymore,” Todd said, as the audience begins to suspect what’s about to happen. “What most people would do would [be to] turn away.”
He said the man beside him knows what’s coming, but that people must stand strong—physically, emotionally and spiritually— even when “receiving vision from God gets nasty”.
Had never heard of “Pastor” Mike Todd before today. But I truly understand now why the elders used to frequently tell us that we’re in the last days.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) January 17, 2022
Todd then proceeded to rub his spit onto the eyes and face of a man. TMZ said the man is his younger brother.
Many in the audience were audibly shocked and said “ewwww” at the stunt.
“How you just reacted, is how the people in your life will react when God is doing what it takes for the miracle,” responded Todd.
Transformation Church in Tulsa describes itself as a “relevant and progressive church that changes lives” and “H.O.T: We are humble, open and transparent people of integrity.” It aims to be welcoming to a slightly younger congregation. As such, Todd has previously made a name for himself delivering sermons on sex, love and dating. It
Todd is perhaps less rabidly anti-gay than many Evangelical preachers, although we note the church’s website still promotes a memoir by a woman who says she turned away from being a lesbian when she found Jesus.
Related: Pastor wants kids taken to Drag Queen Story Hour removed from their parents
Todd is married to fellow Transformation Church pastor, Natalie Todd. They have four children and have been lead pastors at Transformation Church since 2015.
Below are just a few of the reactions.
DURING A PANDEMIC MIKE TODD??? During a pandemic?! Gross any time but DURING A PANDEMIC!? pic.twitter.com/JGjIPyH9uv
— Ms. Jackson (@quietlionness) January 16, 2022
If your pastor rubs spit on your face (looking at you, Mike Todd), find a new pastor.
— Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie (@RevChuckCurrie) January 17, 2022
That Mike Todd video has so many layers of terribleness wrapped up in it, I don’t know even where to start. The audacity. The cult energy. The spiritual and theological abusiveness. The hocking and rubbing and spitting and deflecting. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Ain’t no way.
— Danté Stewart (Stew) (@stewartdantec) January 17, 2022
That Mike Todd video will definitely be used for non believers as an excuse as to why they don’t go to church. That was one of the most repulsive acts I’ve seen done in the name of Christianity.
Know em for yourself folks pic.twitter.com/PivxEGtmGf
— ethio (@ethi_o) January 17, 2022
I just saw that Mike Todd video from his sermon and the sheer amount of horror in my face pic.twitter.com/cVJNWibwP5
— About 3 Kims (@_ohheykim_) January 17, 2022
Even Jesus knows y’all are crazy for listening to Mike Todd. pic.twitter.com/6kkS354NFp
— SAM6 (@travelong6) January 17, 2022
A message from Jesus about Mike Todd pic.twitter.com/vG8N12qTW1
— Elizabeth Says Mask Up/Save Lives (@TheHopsbride) January 17, 2022
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but this is demonic and manipulative.
Mike Todd even tried to manipulate the crowd into feeling bad over reacting to him dehumanizing a man live on stage.
We’re watching abuse and humiliation to boost another’s ego and profile. Disgusting. https://t.co/ZsfTFUI1J1
— Ameen (@Ameen_HGA) January 17, 2022
Christian Twitter agreeing with Heathen Twitter is how you know Mike Todd is actually mad.
— 🧠+🫀 (@prettyblvcklady) January 17, 2022
Just saw why Mike Todd is trending and I—
God wasn’t nowhere in that🤢 pic.twitter.com/4EWJNCcqoc
— Shanelle Genai✨ (@shanellegenai) January 17, 2022
Me: Lord why they talking about Mike Todd now?
*watches video* pic.twitter.com/9VqsZAeRBL
— Ajanaé Dawkins (@MoonsAtDusk) January 16, 2022
This is not the first time Todd has caused controversy with his teachings. He’s previously told parishioners that domestic violence is not an acceptable reason to leave a marriage.
Just so nobody can say I’m lying: here’s Mike Todd saying domestic violence is not reason enough to “leave the marriage” #miketodd pic.twitter.com/tTqpN2bEe6
— 🏵✨🥠 SAW NWH (@HintonsDrew) January 17, 2022
Cato
Because Jesus did it to restore a blind man’s sight.
John 9:5-7
“I am the light of the world.” When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam”. So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.
This pastor is batshit crazy.
Chrisk
He probably is but his flock is just as crazy.
These kind of Religious loons give me good laughs though. It’s the ones want you to submit to their craziness that I have a problem with.
Heywood Jablowme
I remembered the Gospel reference immediately from my Sunday school days. But I never heard of a minister taking that as a DIY thing. If his brother’s eyesight is fading, God invented carrots and ophthalmologists for a reason!
Me2
How is this related to gay news & entertainment? It’s not like he was caught rubbing his spit elsewhere on this man because no lube was handy….
Cam
Yes troll, we get it, whenever there is any topic on here that could drive clicks, you bring out one of your screenames to complain that it isn’t relevant. Yes Yes, we get it, your job is to try to make LGBTQ sites go under. You aren’t subtle and your troll game is sad and weak.
As for me, I’m all for homophobes idiocy being exposed and getting called out.
Kangol2
I have to agree with Me2; why is this posted on here, especially today, which honors the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the US and other parts of the world? A nutty pastor smearing spit on his brother, Brentom Todd, neither of whom appear to be pro or anti-LGBTQ, seems an odd thing to feature, though it does pop up on AppleNews and other aggregators so I guess it was an easy pick.
No clips of Rev. Dr. King available? Nothing positive to say about Mrs. Coretta Scott King, who was a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights for decades, including at a time when this was very controversial? No other Black or POC LGBTQ advocates combatting homophobia and transphobia to highlight?
Den
I was curious about that myself, so checked the larger listing to see if there was any tribute at all. And sure enough there was not. But before we criticize too heavily, remember that Queerty is at best the LGBT TMZ, and at worst he LGBT National Enquirer.
Expectations should not be too high.
Openminded
Queerty’s doing it’s part to keep this goof ball’s P.R. machine running. He may be crazy, but he’s getting attention, and that’s what most of these fanatics seek.
Heywood Jablowme
@Den: But an “LGBT TMZ” might be a bit of an improvement since it would have mentioned several recent TV shows with queer characters that went unmentioned here.
@Kangol: I’m glad you’re on the case! This incident has no discernable LGBT angle and it seems vaguely racist to put it here on MLK day.
quantum
Maybe it was to much to get something in depth about the relationship between the civil rights movement and the gay liberation movement or about Bayard Rustin or a shallow dive of King’s daughter’s anti-lgbt activision, but they could have just posted a link to “I Have A Dream” and I would have no complaints.
rangerwilcox
in the guise of religion, to treat another human being that way…is just wrong.
Cam
Wait, you mean a cultish, homphobic, religious leader is also gross and crazy?!?!?! You don’t say!