Barbados: Pranksters disrupt church service for social media stunt

A still taken from the video showing the man being ousted from Emmanuel Baptist Church. (GP)
A still taken from the video showing the man being ousted from Emmanuel Baptist Church. (GP)

(Barbados Nation) A screaming prankster and his friend, who barged into a church disrupting its service last week and scaring members, have been condemned by the minister for the social media antic.

However, in the spirit of the Easter season, Pastor Vincent Wood is saying “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”, and will not be taking the act of disrespect any further.

However, police are warning social media pranksters looking to score “likes”, that some of the incidents can be considered harassment, an arrestable offence.

Last Wednesday night while members of the Emmanuel Baptist Church on President Kennedy Drive, St Michael, were in the midst of hymn singing, a young man burst in jumping, waving and shouting in the aisle while another man filmed his actions.

Two deacons sprang into action, grabbed the man and bundled him towards the door, while his friend continued recording the incident that later turned up on Facebook. After the video was posted, some recognised the men as the ones behind some outrageous videos aimed at generating likes and hits on social media.