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Magic and ministry
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Published: September 14, 2009
CONCORD -- Steve Templeton is a local performer who aims to teach children about Christ though illusion. A member of First Baptist Church in Concord, Templeton has returned to his long-time hobby of magic in order to pursue it as a career.
"It's been tugging on me for about a year to do something. My priorities have changed. I feel like this is something I was led to do full time," he said.
Templeton first became interested in magic in elementary school, doing tricks for family and friends. His hobby remained on the sidelines while he attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and through his career. Upon losing his job at a manufacturing plant, he began doing performances to gain both experience and exposure, as well as earn money to purchase more equipment and tricks.
"The hardest part is getting the word out," he said.
Ideas for a new path began to flow while volunteering with the children of his church.
"While I was teaching Sunday school, I decided I would try to incorporate tricks. I noticed their ears perked up and they seemed to respond," he said. "The more I started thinking about it the more ideas started to come," he added.
Templeton has gained notice throughout the church community, with the help of his home church, which has assisted him in making and mailing flyers.
"The director of my home church's children's ministry and her family have been wonderful in so many ways, not the least of which have been through encouragement and guidance," he said.
Templeton has become a member of groups like the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, and Kidabra International, a Mocksville, NC, group of family-orientated performers.
"I enjoy and try to be as professional as possible in illusion, but my true heart is in teaching and instructing children about Jesus," he said. "I'm not trying to be a superstar. I just want to be a resource. So far it's been very rewarding on both sides," he added.
Templeton, the founder of "Himpact Illusion," primarily performs for age groups 5 to 12. He by no means, though, is merely a "church" performer, for he is also reaching out to assist in marketing efforts with retails outlets, family groups, home school associations, nursing and retirement homes, area parks, and recreation departments.
"I enjoy bringing clean, family entertainment to other venues as well . . . same tricks, different presentation, that's all," he said.
"I've met many wonderful people and church families. I'm not sure what this jigsaw puzzle will look like when it's finished," he said, "but I do know there will be a top hat, rabbit and cross in there somewhere."
For more information about Steve Templeton please contact www.HimpactIllusion.com.
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