The Baptist Standard

VISIONS OF SIN & SALVATION:
Illusionist Jonathan Curtis
By Leann Callaway
Special to the Standard
FORT WORTH--When Jonathan Curtis needs to illustrate that sin separates people from God, he just cuts his wife in half to make the point. He doesn't really cut her in half; it's an illusion. "The illusion ministry is simply a tool to reach people for Christ," explained Curtis, a Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary student who has performed as a Christian entertainer and evangelist across the United States. Cutting his wife, Lori, in half "is a great illusion by itself," he acknowledged. But in the context of a gospel presentation, "people are drawn immediately back to the fact that they are separated from God because of their sin." Curtis often presents programs for church-based community outreach. The goal is to help non-Christians hear and understand the gospel in a creative way.
"I always make certain to explain the difference in an illusion and reality for children," he said. "I leave no question that the illusions are simply tricks and that there are no special powers needed, even to the point of teaching them part of an illusion." Curtis began performing simple illusions, such as coin and card tricks, as a teenager. Then he drew upon his skill in order to survive at a summer kids' camp. "This was a religious camp, but I had a hard time getting the children focused for Bible study," he explained. "So I began to incorporate my illusions. ... I was able to not only get the attention of the children, but to hang an important biblical principle on an illusion as an object lesson." Armed with this new tool, he began to travel presenting programs for churches and other organizations. He also met the Christian illusionist Bruce Chadwick, who became a mentor to him.
"Initially, I simply ran his magic shop demonstrating close-up illusions in his absence, but we quickly became friends," Curtis said. "As I look back on this time, I realize God used Bruce to get me into some large stage illusions. These illusions are very expensive, and there was no chance of me ever being able to afford them. But as I believe God would have it, Bruce needed help in his fabrication of illusions. I worked for Bruce for two summers and was able to purchase many illusions for a minimal cost. This enabled me to present the gospel to large groups." Today, 14 years into his illusion ministry, Curtis performs between 60 and 75 shows a year for groups as large as 3,500.
"Doing illusions affords us many opportunities that a normal preacher would not get," he said. "We have done a significant amount of public school assemblies. Of course, we cannot present the gospel, but we can invite students to an event that evening in which we can. I also have taken groups witnessing and used illusions as a way to draw a crowd, then let them take over the rest. It is a great way to present the love of Christ to a generation that is hooked on entertainment." Some may view his work as "fun and games," but Curtis does not take for granted the importance of his calling. "I take this ministry very seriously. Yes, I do have a good time, but I always present the gospel that changed my life. I get to tell about how Jesus finally broke through all of the illusions that kept me from accepting him as Lord and Savior."