Christian crusader uses magic to prove point

Press, 20 February 1987, Page 5

Christian crusader uses magic to prove point

Mr Irv Chambers pulls a coin from his pocket, puts it on top of his head and makes it reappear, seemingly from his elbow.

Then, with a grin, he performs a dazzling array of slight of hand, using it to illustrate his point. It does not seem the expected behaviour for the master of ceremonies of the upcoming Christian crusade, Mission Christchurch.

“I used it on high school audiences as an opener or in churches, clearly explaining that it’s a trick ... that they have a logical explanation and if I wanted to know how to do a trick I would ask the magician. "And so in life, when people ask where am I from and where am I going, who would know that better than the person who gave me life?” So goes the unusual explanation for Mr Chambers’ membership of the international Brotherhood of, Magicians, and his position as vice-president of Leighton Ford Ministries. Mr Chambers is in

Christchurch to help with the organisation j»f next fweek’s crusade

Leighton Ford, the guest speaker, arrives on Monday.

Mission Christchurch will possibly be the biggest evangelistic event in the city since Billy Graham’s visit in 1959. It will be held at Queen Elizabeth II Park and it has drawn support from virtually every denqmination.

Both Dr Ford and Mr Chambers have been associated with the Billy Graham organisation for more than 30 years. Mr Chambers, an oifained

minister from North Carolina, met Dr Ford through a mutual friend.

“He was going to hold a meeting in Ontario, Canada, and wanted somebody to lead the worship. He asked this mutual friend, who suggested me. We just gelled.” Since then, Mr Chambers had directed the music, overseen the programme and acted as compere for many crusades.

Mr Chambers said he was excited and impressed by the organisation of Mission Christchurch. Its theme, “There is Hope,” was one used by Dr Ford and was “a real concern” on his part. “He majored in philosophy so he has a kind of philosophical bent and is very logical. Then, because of some of the things he has experienced, such as the loss of his son, he communicates in a very unique way.” Dr Ford was also concerned that this hope was put into action and to this end, people attending the meetings are asked to bring canned and dried food for others who need it

There would also be a

“Hope in Action” team who would help those with physical problems, such as drug addiction, marital breakdowns or unemployment, in addition to the 500 spiritual counsellors.

"In many areas we try to encourage the Christian community tb get involved in services for these people, such as driving elderly people to the doctor, doing their shopping, or reading to the blind,” Mr Chambers said. Music will play a big part in the meetings, which start on Wednesday evening. A choir of several hundred and instrumentalists will feature each evening, while an American pop singer, Kenny Marks, will sing at Saturday’s youth night.

Mission Christchurch will continue until Sunday evening. Dr Ford and his team will then go to Wellington for a similar crusade.

The co-ordinator of Mission Christchurch, Mr Graham Juden, said more singers and several hundred ushers were still needed. They could make contact by calling the misstep’s office at Newton iSrage, Ltd.