Faith is messy. Sometimes, it’s loud. When Greg Locke’s documentary Come Out in Jesus Name hit theaters in early 2023, nobody expected it to shatter box office records for a faith-based release. People were literally sitting in the aisles of AMC theaters. They weren't just watching a movie; they were praying, weeping, and, in some cases, reacting as if they were undergoing the very deliverance seen on the screen. It was wild.
Most religious documentaries play it safe. They stick to history or soft theology. This one? It leaned into the jagged edges of spiritual warfare. Locke, a pastor from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, was previously known for his fiery political rhetoric and COVID-119 defiance. But this project signaled a massive pivot. He shifted from fighting "the system" to fighting what he calls demonic strongholds.
Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or just someone who stumbled upon the trailer on YouTube, the film raised a massive question: Is modern deliverance ministry a legitimate spiritual tool or just a high-octane performance?
The Shift From Politics to Deliverance
Greg Locke didn't always believe in this stuff. Honestly, he spent years as a traditional Cessationist. That's a fancy way of saying he believed the "miraculous" gifts of the Holy Spirit—like healing and casting out demons—stopped after the time of the Apostles. He used to mock people who did what he does now.
Then, things changed. According to Locke’s own account in the film and various interviews with outlets like Christian Post, it started with a young girl in his church who began manifesting what he described as a demonic presence during a service. He didn't have a theological category for it. He was stuck.
This led to the formation of the "Demon Slayers," a group of ministers including Alexander Pagani, Isaiah Saldivar, Mike Sigler, and Vladimir Savchuk. These guys aren't your grandpa's preachers. They are tech-savvy, aggressive, and they've built a massive following on social media by talking about the "ministry of expulsion."
The core premise of come out in Jesus name is that Christians—not just non-believers—can have "legal loops" in their lives that allow demonic influence. This is a huge point of contention in the church. Traditional theology often argues that a person filled with the Holy Spirit cannot have a demon. Locke and his peers argue otherwise, citing the Greek word daimonizomai, which they interpret as "demonized" rather than "possessed."
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Why the Movie Went Viral
The numbers don't lie. The film was initially a two-night Fathom Event. It did so well—grossing over $2.5 million in its first few days—that they had to keep bringing it back.
Why? Because people are desperate.
We live in an age of soaring anxiety and depression. While many seek clinical help (which these pastors often say should be used alongside spiritual help, though that gets blurry), others feel that their struggles are deeper than biology. They feel "bound."
When the film shows people screaming, coughing, or collapsing as they are told to come out in Jesus name, it taps into a primal desire for catharsis. It’s dramatic. It’s visceral. It’s also very controversial. Critics like those from the Master’s University or more conservative Baptist circles argue that this focus on the demonic takes the emphasis off the Gospel and puts it on a "sideshow."
The "Demon Slayers" and the New Wave of Ministry
- Alexander Pagani: Author of The Secrets to Deliverance. He brings a more structured, almost "legal" approach to how demons inhabit spaces.
- Isaiah Saldivar: He’s the bridge to Gen Z. His YouTube channel is a powerhouse of deliverance content.
- Vladimir Savchuk: Based in Washington state, he focuses heavily on the intersection of "purity" and deliverance.
These men represent a shift. They’ve moved away from the gold-plated stages of 1980s televangelism. They wear t-shirts. They film in 4K. They speak the language of the internet.
The Theology of the "Loud Word"
The phrase come out in Jesus name is more than just a title; it’s a command rooted in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is frequently depicted commanding spirits to leave. The movie posits that this wasn't just a "Jesus thing" but a "follower of Jesus thing."
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But here is where it gets complicated.
Critics point out that the New Testament doesn't show Jesus or the Apostles spending hours "interrogating" demons, which is a common sight in modern deliverance sessions. Usually, in the Bible, it was quick. In the film, it’s often a long, drawn-out battle of wills.
Some psychologists argue that what we see in these services is "religious hysteria" or "social mirroring." If you're in a room where everyone is screaming and falling, your brain is primed to do the same. It’s a powerful psychological release. Locke, however, dismisses this as a naturalistic explanation for a supernatural reality. He’d say that the physical manifestations are just the "eviction" taking place.
The Backlash and the Risks
It hasn't been all packed theaters and cheers.
Locke has faced intense scrutiny. People have accused the ministry of being cult-like. There are concerns about how this affects people with genuine mental health issues like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. If you tell someone with a chemical imbalance that they just have a "spirit of fear," you might be doing more harm than good.
There's also the issue of the "burning." At Locke's Global Vision Bible Church, they’ve held massive bonfires to burn "occultic" items—everything from Harry Potter books to Ouija boards and even certain types of jewelry. To some, it’s a beautiful act of renouncing the past. To others, it’s a disturbing throwback to some of the darker eras of church history.
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Despite the heat, the movement is growing.
Real-World Impact: Does it Last?
The biggest question isn't whether a movie can make money or if a pastor can trend on Twitter. It's: Does it work?
I’ve looked into reports from people who attended these screenings. Some claim their lives were radically changed. They talk about losing the urge to use drugs or feeling a "weight" lift that had been there for decades. That’s hard to argue with on an individual level.
However, there are also the "repeat customers." You see them in the footage—people who go up for deliverance every single week. This leads to the "Deliverance Junkie" phenomenon, where individuals become obsessed with finding the next demon rather than living a disciplined life.
The movie actually tries to address this. Locke emphasizes that deliverance is only one part of the Christian walk. You can't just "cast out" a demon; you have to "fill the house" with something else, or, as the parable goes, the spirit returns with seven friends.
Actionable Steps for Exploring Spiritual Warfare
If you find yourself intrigued by the themes in come out in Jesus name, don't just dive into the deep end without some grounding. It's a heavy topic that requires a balanced approach.
- Audit Your Influences: Look at what you're consuming. The film suggests that "open doors" come through what we watch and listen to. Even if you don't believe in demons, being mindful of your "mental diet" is just good advice for your health.
- Study the Source: Before watching the movie, read the accounts of Jesus in the Book of Mark. Compare what you read there to what you see on screen. Look for the differences in tone and method.
- Prioritize Mental Health: If you are struggling with deep-seated trauma or mental illness, do not replace professional medical help with a movie or a prayer line. The most balanced ministries today advocate for a "both/and" approach—healing for the soul and help for the brain.
- Seek Community, Not Just Spectacle: One-off events are exciting, but long-term change happens in a stable community. If you’re looking for "freedom," find a local group that offers accountability, not just a stage performance.
- Question the "Legalism": Be wary of any teaching that makes you feel like you are constantly under a curse. The central message of the faith Locke professes is grace. If the "demon hunting" overshadows the concept of being "forgiven," the balance is off.
The phenomenon of come out in Jesus name isn't going away. It’s moved from the fringes of Pentecostalism into the mainstream conversation. Whether it's a genuine revival or a flash-in-the-pan cultural moment, it has forced a lot of people to look at the ceiling and wonder if there’s more going on in the shadows than they’d like to admit.
The reality is probably somewhere in the middle—a mix of genuine faith, high-stakes emotion, and a very human desire to be free from the things that haunt us.