Abracadabra. Alakasplit. Poof.
Jonathan Kirk uses magic tricks as an icebreaker so that he can meet new people and comfortably talk with them about his faith.Although the concept of magic has often been used for evil, Jonathan Kirk, freshman Christian studies major from Midway, Tenn., has found a way to use it for the glory of God.
As a child, Kirk watched magic shows and dreamed of becoming a magician.
During commercial breaks, he would run to the kitchen and beg his mother for kitchen utensils to use for the “at home tricks.”
When Kirk was 13 years old, God called him into the ministry. At the time, Kirk said it was hard to understand God’s calling.
He knew God wanted to use him, but he also knew how much he loved magic.
Over the years, God has shown Kirk how to incorporate his love for magic into his calling and he has created a ministry, known as Messiah’s Magic Ministry.
“It’s a God-given talent, not a God-given power. I do not claim to have any supernatural power,” Kirk said. “It’s a performance for the glory of God. I would have never expected it to be as big as it is.”
Kirk has used his magic as an icebreaker for speaking to people about his faith.
He said it is hard to just go up to someone and start sharing your faith, but his tricks allow him to converse with people and get to know them so that they will be more open to hear what he has to say.
One of the tricks he uses is making a small piece of silk fabric disappear. While performing the trick, he speaks of how Jesus was placed in the tomb after his crucifixion, as he places the fabric in his palm to symbolize this. Once the cloth has disappeared, he speaks of how this is just like the Lord’s resurrection.
Since starting his magic career, Kirk has performed in front of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and as far away as Mississippi and Indiana.
“I’d like to perform an international show one day on a Christian cruise line,” Kirk said.