ICE McDonald, De-Mystifies Magic for the Christian Community

LOS ANGELES, Calif.  – International Master Magician Kenrick “ICE” McDonald, the newly elected National President of the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) and currently the most celebrated African American magician in the United States has been asked the same question numerous times over the years.  How can you be a Christian and a Magician?  His answer isn’t as complicated as many may think. Ice reminds them that God sheds light in all the so-called “dark places.” Endorsed by Bishop Ullmer of Faithful Central Bible Church in Los Angeles (his home church) and many other churches, Ice is no doubt a “Christian Magician.”
Ice McDonald made history four months ago on July 3, 2014 when he was inaugurated the first African American National President of the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.), the oldest and most prestigious magic organization in the world in which famed magician Harry Houdini served as president from 1917 until his death in 1926.  One of the first major things he did after his inauguration was visit the gravesite of the famous escape artist, Harry Houdini on October 3rd, in Queens, New York and set in motion its restoration. As the National President of S.A.M., Ice travels extensively around the country, supporting fellow magicians and participating in countless magic events.
Despite having no formal training, Ice is considered a magician’s magician who for over 30 years has mesmerized international audiences with his grand illusions. He has sold out performances at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, broken audience and box office records at Monday Night Magic in New York and has been featured on NPR, News One Now with Roland Martin, ARISE TV, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Masters of Illusion (series on PAX TV), the documentary The Art and Soul of Magic – The Story of America’s Black Magician and ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN and BBC.  His sheer mastery of illusion has astonished audiences in London, Wales, India, Singapore, Jamaica, Bahamas, and throughout the United Kingdom. He has been featured in and graced the cover of numerous newspapers and magazines throughout the world including the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, Genii magazine and several international publications.
“I grew up in a very religious family in San Diego, California. My father, a Baptist minister, bought me my first magic kit. It was a used magic kit with missing pieces. As a creative child my imagination allowed me to determine what was missing from the kit and the correct way to present the trick. For many years, because of my family’s strong Christian belief and skepticism about mixing Christianity and magic, I would sometimes have to practice secretly in my room. I was determined to show my family that magic is a visual art and there is nothing dark or evil about it. I personally knew this was not a dark art but a terribly misunderstood art form.”
In his early days of magic Ice asked himself, what is it that causes Christians to fear or shy away from magic and magicians. Pulling rabbits out of hats, making doves appear, guessing cards or sawing a subject in half didn’t appear sinful or mystic. It was and remains the amazement and childlike awe that he brought out in people witnessing his talent and the thrill of taking people back to their childhood that made him know that he had found his passion and his calling.
As a devoted Christian, Ice wants to prove to his Christian brothers and sisters that his occupation is just as important and fruitful as theirs. He has always known that this is God’s plan and purpose for him. He has pursued this magical journey by faith not by sight and looking back Ice can see how God has shaped his magic career to put him in the prestigious position that he now holds. God has shaped circumstances that present new challenges and opportunities.
Ice wants audiences to see how God has positioned him in a place where he can share the talent that God has given him with others. The high profile position of being National President of S.A.M. allows him to reach hundreds of thousands of people and to spread God’s plan.
“I believe that our God is great, and He has light in all the dark places. I consider myself that light to those who feel that magic or being a magician is dark,” Ice states. He wants to change the perception of magicians within the Christian Community and intends to do so by standing on God’s promises and remaining faithful to the talent that God has given him. He states that his heart has been with God since the day he was born and nothing will ever change that.