Pastor filmed asking kids to cut him in Easter re-enactment
A pastor’s attempt at demonstrating hardships endured by Jesus by forcing students to spit at him, cut, and slap him, has backfired after parents complained his “lesson” gravely crossed the line.
Part-time associate pastor Jaddeus Dempsey apologised after video of his unorthodox teaching methods at the Impact City Church in Pataskala, Ohiho, was shared online by one of his students.
The footage showed students circled around Mr Dempsey, who was standing shirtless while requesting a child with a knife take to his back.
One of the students, Ai’Janae Parker, 12, said the pastor told students to draw blood but “not go too crazy” with the knife.
In an apology shared to the church’s Facebook page on Tuesday, Mr Dempsey conceded he had taken the Easter lesson a step too far, saying he was trying to teach the students what Jesus had gone through.
Lead pastor Justin Ross described the exercise as “inappropriate”, however agreed the intent of the message was important.
“After Jaddeus allowed them to spit on him, and slap him and cut him, he sat them down and he explained to them about this guy named Jesus,” Mr Ross said.
Mr Dempsey said he was “so sorry for misrepresenting the community, the church, the parents, the students”.
“My intention was just to show them how much Jesus loved them…I am deeply sorry for the pain that I have caused,” he said.
The church said its board of directors would commence an investigation and implement any findings it uncovered.
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