In what probably looked like a normal Sunday of worship, congregants of Brown Missionary Baptist Church in Mississippi were left gobsmacked when their head pastor decided to use a rather unconventional way to get to the stage.
In a video shared on Facebook by ZaKnedria LeUnshae Webb, Rev. Bartholomew Orr can be seen gliding his way to the pulpit from the ceiling while preaching. When he finally reaches his “destination”, two gentlemen unhook him off the line and he continues with his sermon much to the excitement of the congregation.
Though his grand entrance was met with mixed reactions on social media, Rev. Orr, who was nicknamed “The Flying Preacher” for the stunt, subsequently appeared in a video shared on the church’s YouTube page to clarify a few things.
“I am so grateful that even though all of the talk about my sermon this morning hasn’t been complimentary, I’m thankful that the word of God is being discussed in homes, in cars, on social media…”, he said.
He also categorically stated that the lift was not specially installed for his stunt but is used for their annual Christmas productions.
To address the not-so-complimentary comments, Rev. Orr said: “there is a bigger picture and that is Christ is returning soon.”
“And just as Christ’s return is going to be unexpected, my flying in this morning was unexpected. But we must be ready,” he added.
Orr is not the only pastor to use an unconventional method to get to the pulpit.
Sometime last year, South African pastor Alph Lukau made the news for a very majestic and rather ostentatious entrance to the church. Chauffeur driven in a white Rolls Royce, the pastor was escorted to the church entrance by horsemen and motor riders as well as a convoy of several vehicles.
Take a look at the video below:
