The following is a guest post by Jennifer Slattery about illusionist, Jeff Copeland, who will be my guest on Teen Talk Radio this Thursday (May 26) at 10pm EST. You have to be sure to tune in because he’s going to perform an illusion ON THE AIR!!! I can’t wait to see how that will work!
Evangelism has come a long way in the last fifty to seventy-five years. Tent revivals have given way to laser shows, rap concerts, and perhaps my favorite, illusionist presentations. This excites me, not only because I love rap and illusions, but because it points to a bigger truth—God’s love knows no bounds and He will stop at nothing to reach the lost. Each time a new evangelism method pops up, I am amazed by God’s merciful heart. He who emptied Himself and came to earth in the form of a man continues to meet us right where we are, using those things we love most to draw us to Himself.
Jeff Copeland, my favorite illusionist, uses jokes and tricks to share the gospel. He’s been practicing “magic” since the age of eight. “My teacher created a class project where we would act out a circus,” Copeland says. “Of course we didn’t have live animals or anything, so we dressed up like tigers and bears and some kids did their gymnastic routines, whatever they could do…I had my brother’s Fisher Price magic kit. So I was the magician and I had an assistant who would wave around my props before I did something.”
Over time, his desire to entertain and love for slight-of-hand illusions turned into a full-time venture. “I’ve always loved magic! Just no one ever told me I could be a performer. I never knew it could be a career for someone like me till I moved far away from everyone I knew. That’s when it found me. Sleight of hand was a peaceful pastime that challenged me to achieve perfection. I have a strong desire to achieve in whatever I do.”
Often, that’s how our gifts emerge—accidentally. They start as a fun way to spend our time, then, as we move forward, God opens doors and helps us see His big-picture plan for our lives. As Jeff started to perform, the reaction of the crowd opened his eyes and allowed him to see how impactful his gift could be, if used correctly. “When I performed good illusions for people and I saw their reactions, I realized that I could do a lot of good with this. I could give people real, unexplainable experiences that would make them feel good and brighten their day… That gift to my audiences gives me the right to share about my faith.”
Today, he performs at youth groups, Upward events, festivals, revivals and countless other church events across the world. His aim is to partner with churches and organizations in order to help them impact their city or community through excellent illusions. He also wants to encourage other believers and be a catalyst for outreach into the community.
What would Jeff say to all those aspiring performers reading this article who want to follow in his footsteps? “Don’t,” Copeland says. “Seriously, I don’t encourage others, because the people I most admired when I got into it said that to me and what it did for me was make me work harder. I think it will be the same for the next person who really wants it. To get to the top and to make a living at this is not easy… It is much easier to get a 9-5 job or pursue a “real” job. Do you really want to do the work that it takes to do this? I am certain that most people don’t, so I don’t want to mislead them. It is hard work and each step will present another challenge that you didn’t anticipate.”
As with anything, perseverance and dedication is key, but for those who seriously want to pursue a career as an illusionist, Jeff encourages students to learn all they can about the craft. “I always encourage others who want to learn with books and suggestions and answer emails,” Copeland says. There are some kids I will meet at a camp and we will chat back and forth for years. However, I think studying and performing as a hobby is a good path to take.”
Visit his website to find out more about Jeff, his illusions and how to catch his next event. In the meantime, spend a moment with God and ask Him how He’d like you to use what you love, like drawing, singing, dancing—whatever–for His glory.
Jennifer Slattery is a novelist, columnist and freelance writer living in the midwest with her husband of fifteen years and their thirteen year old daughter. She writes for The Christian Pulse, the tween E-zine, Samie Sisters, Christ to the World, and Reflections in Hindsight. Find out more about her and her writing at jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com
[...] I told you all about Jeff Copeland who will be my first guest on TTR tonight. He’s an illusionist and will be doing on air [...]
[...] a new monthly feature. On the first Thursday of every month, in the first segment of the show, Jeff Copeland, illusionist extraordinaire will dazzle us with some on-air illusions which you can play along with at home! How fun is [...]
[...] the first Thursday of every month, in the first segment of the show, Jeff Copeland, illusionist extraordinaire dazzles us with some on-air illusions which you can play along with at home! How fun is [...]