Jake Massey
A pastor's 'proof' he can walk on air has gone viral, and it's left people in stitches.
The video shows the pastor walking down some stairs before 'floating' in the air, but when you see the video you'll realise why the inverted commas around 'proof' are absolutely essential.
Watch here:
In the clip, he can be seen slowly walking down a flight of stairs, before the camera conveniently pans in close on his feet.
Then, as if by magic, his feet leave the ground and he walks on air. AS IF BY MAGIC PEOPLE.
Advert
After he returns to safe ground the camera conveniently pans back out again, and we see the pastor proudly standing with his arms out by his sides, as if he is Jesus Christ himself.
The video actually dates back to 2015, but it's recently gone viral once again, which should come as no surprise - how often are actual miracles caught on camera like this?
Commenting on the clip, one Twitter user wrote: "I was an atheist until I saw this undeniably convincing video. Thank you floating pastor!!"
Another added: "He can also make shadows appear and disappear."
Advert
While a third added: "Even if it were possible for one to miraculously walk on air, he wasn't walking but floating.
"Almost as if someone from above was lifting him…"
Others thought the performance felt like the sort of thing a kid might throw together.
"This feels like a small child is putting on an impromptu magic show," one person wrote.
While another added: "I did the same when I was 8. You just pull yourself up by the handrails."
Advert
According to Only Sky, allegedly, the 'floating' man is controversial pastor Shepherd Bushiri, who fled South Africa for Malawi in 2020 having been charged with rape, fraud and money laundering.
He came to prominence after founding the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church. It claims hundreds of thousands of followers in South Africa and has branched out to other African countries.
His end-of-year sermons at football stadiums often attract between 90,000 and 100,000 people.
Bushiri's full church title is General Overseer Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, while he also sometimes calls himself 'Major 1'.
Advert
Keen on wearing slick suits, Bushiri makes no secret of his focus on wealth alongside God. According to the church, his 'investment company' has interests in mining, real estate and the airline business. It is highlighted by the church as much as his preaching.
Bushiri said he ventured into business because he 'does not believe the church must support his family'; yet soliciting donations from followers is a key part of the church's operations.
On one broadcast on his Prophetic Channel TV station, Bushiri sat next to a printer printing out bank documents that he said followers have sent him showing they've made donations to the church. Bushiri said he offers his 'blessings' to the person once he sees their 'proof of payment' come through.