Seminar Teaches Gospel Through Performing Arts

Mar 08, 2004 06:39 PM EST

DENVER, CO—The Fellowship of Christian Magician will be holding its 21st Annual Creative Ministries Seminar, hosted by the Rocky Mountain Chapter, July 29-31, 2004. Every year, hundreds of church leaders and artists gather at the Mission Hills Church to exchange ideas how to use the performing arts as a media to share the Gospel message.

The three-track conference will teach the latest trends, strategies and techniques in using magic, clowning, comedy, puppetry, juggling, balloon sculpturing, ventriloquism, and other performing arts to proclaim the Word.

"With over 35 lectures and workshops, this year’s Creative Ministries Seminar will be our best conference ever," said FCM RMC President Jim Bartlett, who has been involved with FCM for about 17 years. "Three intensive days of innovative lectures, hands-on workshops, dealer exhibits, our unique talent show and a special evening Gala show that's open to the public – all are designed to equip participants for another year of creative outreach to children, youth and adults."

The FCM Creative Ministries Conference for the Northwestern region will be held on March 25-27 at the Gateway Baptist Church in Northeast Portland, Oregon.

The Fellowship of Christian Magicians Inc. is an international organization of people dedicated to developing skills and using the performing arts and visual illustrations in presenting the Gospel message. FCM members use sleight of hand, optical illusion, ventriloquism, puppetry, balloons, clowning, comedy, juggling, storytelling, and other visual arts to promote and communicate the Word of God.

The Fellowship of Christian Magicians, Rocky Mountain Chapter is a non-profit organization that meets monthly in the Chapel at Mission Hills Church located at 5859 South University Boulevard, Greenwood Village, CO.

During the Rocky Mountain chapter conference, there will be a Gala show on Friday which “demonstrates how all of these art forms, packaged together in a complete professional show, work in effectively sharing the Gospel message,” states the event’s promotional Web site. The tickets to the Gala event will be free of charge but reservations are recommended.

Some of the performing artists are from across the U.S., including Rev. Duane & Mary Laflin, Ed Jarvis, Steve Kissell, PlaySoup, Rev. Ricky Henson, Pit Finn, Jim Bartlett, Mark Krekeler, J David Teeman, Don Nelson, Jim Scott, Larry Mahan, Valerie Chisholm, Lohren Meier, Dr. Earl Reum, Gwendolyn Clark, Marge Jarvis, Holly Rolen, among many others.

Conference lectures will deal with topics such as:

· 5 Easy Steps to Ventriloquism - developing a character voice and using a vent figure.

· Puppet Manipulation - puppet movements, including interpreting for lip synch and rod arm movements.

· Gospel Magic And Storytelling - Magical effects that will enlighten any session.

· Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Cards - Basic sleights, and effects using special cards and decks.

· Clown Make-up 101 - Hands-on class on professional, yet simple make-up techniques for the Gospel Clown.

· Basic Juggling - Hands-on workshop teaching the art of juggling.

· Steps To Create An Original & Creative Act - How to think creatively and differently to develop a truly innovative and original act.

· Illusions With Balloons - Learn the “Cut & Restored Balloon,” “Linking Balloons,” ”The Zombie,” etc.

· Gospel Magic Applications To Tricks You Own - You choose the effect you'd like to see – we'll demonstrate the illusions, with Gospel routines.

· How To Be A Great Emcee - Learn how to introduce performers, run an event on time, and respond to last-minute changes.

· On Stage With Gospel Magic - How to make your Gospel Magic play big without large or expensive props.

· Gospel Business Marketing - Tips and techniques to succeed as a Gospel performer.

Earlier the same month, FCM will be celebrating its 46th Anniversary at the FCM International Convention at Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Indiana.

For more information about the conference, visit the CMS 2004 website at www.cms2004.info.