Large male lion eating grass sitting against wire fence – not the one involved in the incident (Picture: Getty)

A Christian leader has had his buttocks mauled by a lion after running towards the creature to try and prove the ‘Lord’s power over animals’.

Alec Ndiwane, a Zion church leader, was on safari with fellow members of his church when he decided to show how God would save him if he approached a pride of feeding lions.

Ndiwane, who calls himself a ‘prophet’ was said to have fallen into a ‘deep trance’ before charging at the lions in South Africa’s Kruger national Park. He was also speaking in tongues.

MORE: Lions savage buffalo in front of shocked tourists




MORE: ‘Lion whisperer’ plays and cuddles with wild lions in heart-stopping photo shoot

But the man quickly realised God was not going to save him after the lions gave chase, very much viewing him as prey.

The church leader sprinted back to the car but not before one of the animals sunk his jaws into his bum, Ghanaweb reported.

He was only saved when a game ranger fired his gun into the air to scare the lions off.

Ndiware was taken to hospital where emergency surgeons stitched up the injuries to his behind and he was later discharged.

He said: ‘I do not know what came over me. I thought the Lord wanted to use me to show his power over animals.

‘Is it not we were given dominion over all creatures of the earth.’