An Oklahoma pastor is facing criticism today after he rubbed his spit on a parishioner's face during a sermon.
Michael Todd, who leads the Transformation Church in Tulsa, is going viral after being literal, explaining the topic: "Getting a vision from God can be bad."
Todd used a churchgoer to illustrate the point and his parishioner could be heard gasping as he held the saliva in his hand to rub it on the face of a man he had invited on stage.
"And this is where most people would no longer encounter Jesus," Todd says in the clip that's been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on social media.
“What most people would do [to be] turned away,” he said, coughing up the phlegm in his hand.
The point Todd tried to make clear is that "receiving a vision from God can be bad" and this is when he rubbed the saliva and phlegm in his hands all over the man's face.
He reacted with disgust from the audience, saying, "How did you react now, how will the people in your life react when God is doing it for a miracle."
Needless to say, the moment has also generated hatred on social media where many are questioning Todd's bizarre, unhygienic and certainly not COVID-friendly practices.
Podcaster Jemele Hill tweeted, "Never heard of 'Pastor' Mike Todd before today. But now I really understand why the elders keep telling us over and over that we are in the last days."
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
pic.twitter.com/tW8XjBK1KB
Another Twitter user dubbed the spectacle "disgusting" and "horrifying".
"At this point if you're still following Mike Todd... you lack critical thinking skills and sanity, this disgusting mess is unforgivable. It would be disgusting in normal times but in a pandemic it's almost horrifying." ,” reads the tweet.
At this point if you’re still following Mike Todd…you lack critical thinking skills and discernment cause THAT disgusting mess is unforgivable. It would be disgusting in normal times but in a pandemic it’s almost sinister.
— MK 💕 (@marissa__kerri) January 17, 2022
Writer Shanelle Zenai said: "Just saw why Mike Todd was trending and I-God was nowhere in that."
Just saw why Mike Todd is trending and I—
— Shanelle Genai✨ (@shanellegenai) January 17, 2022
God wasn’t nowhere in that🤢 pic.twitter.com/4EWJNCcqoc
"What is the CDC going to do about Mike Todd?" asked another Twitter user.
What is the CDC going to do about Mike Todd?
— it girl (@ehlboogie) January 17, 2022
Rev. Dr. Chuck Curry tweeted, "If your pastor rubs spit in your face (looking at Mike Todd), find a new pastor."
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
Another said: "I know Mike Todd didn't do that..during a pandemic. My stomach was really turned, that's so weird to me. Just bad behavior."
Todd first made headlines when he collaborated with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt in March 2020 to organize a statewide prayer day to defend the state against the COVID-19 pandemic.
I know Mike Todd didn’t do that.. during a pandemic. My stomach literally turned lmao he’s just so odd to me. Just nasty behavior pic.twitter.com/uRRSIjbvk1
— 💫 (@jayviictorious) January 16, 2022