Pastor Mike Todd of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Transformation Church posted a video to Instagram defending the “heart behind Ransom,” the controversial and blasphemous show of the church’s recent Easter service.

ALSO, READ 500 People Turned To Jesus During ‘Blasphemous’ Easter Show – Transformation Church Claims

On Sunday, Transformation put on a massive Easter-themed production titled “Ransom” for their Sunday morning services. The two-hour performance, which has featured widespread backlash online, featured dozens of dances, flashing lights, pyrotechnics, demonic characters, dry ice and covers of Ke$ha, Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé songs — with a few key lyric changes.

“I became the pastor and I didn’t know what a pastor did,” Todd started. “I was like, ‘I never preached an Easter message, so I’m not going to start this year. We need to come up with an Easter play.’”

Todd went on to explain that he wanted to create something for the people who “don’t know God” and are “far from Him.”

Mike Todd Defends His ‘Blasphemous’ And Controversial Easter Service Show
“Usually Easter is where we come to cheer with the people who are already on the team. That’s called practice,” Todd said. “I want to go after the people who haven’t signed up to play the game yet. I want the person who feels lonely and isolated and like God doesn’t care. |I want them to see how amazing Jesus actually is and what God actually did for all of us.
“I said, ‘We’re going to go to the edge on this.’ And they said, pastor, how far on the edge are we going to go?’ and I said, “we’re going to do everything short of sin,’” Todd continued. “We’re going to reach over and grab the people who thought they were nothing, that God hated them, that God won’t forgive them. We’re going to snatch them back.”
Todd shared this message with attendees before the start of the production. The clip also includes the disclaimer that was presented to the congregation.

“Ransom is the creative expression of the true story of the fall and redemption of man through Jesus Christ, as written in Scripture,” the disclaimed said. “Backstories and some characters or dialogue have been added.

Mike Todd Defends His ‘Blasphemous’ And Controversial Easter Service Show

However, all biblical and historical contexts along with an artist’s imagination are designed to support the truth and intention of the Scriptures.

This production intends to portray a representation of the Gospel that draws in the lost and reminds the found of the power, love and grace of Jesus Christ. Viewers are encouraged to read the Bible for further context and understanding of the Easter story.”