Christian performer coming to local church

Sat, May 17, 2008    to del.icio.us

FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP — A world-traveling Christian children's entertainer is coming to The Gateway Church, 1641 Pontaluna Road, on May 25.

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Jay Risner said he's performed for 3 million children and families around the world, including a stadium in Kenya packed with 20,000 children.

But he doesn't judge a crowd by its size, and is looking forward to bringing his one-man variety act to Gateway's estimated 170-person sanctuary.

"I made a vow that if my calendar is open, I don't care how big the venue is," he said.

The public is invited to the free event, which begins at 9 a.m. with inflatable outdoor games. Risner's performance starts at 10 a.m.

Gateway Pastor Ben Vegh first met Risner while working at a summer camp in Ohio. He said Risner's performance should be fun for the entire family, and perfect Memorial Day weekend entertainment.

"A lot of children's pastors may have one or two creative things they can do, and it's like God blessed (Risner) with every gift possible for working with kids," Vegh said. "Parents will be rolling, grandparents will be dying laughing, and of course the kids will do the same."

His act includes ventriloquism with his dummy, Jojo, as well as singing, drama, illusions and plenty of audience participation.

Risner's career as an entertainer began in 1976 when he performed in local television commercials in Los Angeles. He soon signed a contract to perform in Six Flags theme parks, and even taught McDonald's restaurant employees how to perform at the first-ever Ronald McDonald convention.

But he soon had a change of heart.

"In 1980, I decided to take everything I learned in the secular world and apply it to the Christian world," he said.

Vegh expects Risner's message will help children and parents appreciate each other more.

"It is not easy to raise kids today, and Jay will come alongside the parents and encourage them and the kids to say 'Hey, what we have is special.'"

Along with performing and creating a children's television show that plays in Kenya, Risner spends a lot of time teaching people how to relate with children.

"There are a lot of people who love kids, they just don't have any idea how to communicate with them," he said.

Risner, who now lives in Springfield, Mo., didn't want to give away too many details about his upcoming performance at The Gateway Church, but he did offer this: "It's going to have a message to it, but it's going to be a lot of fun, too."

On the Net:

www.thegatewaygh.com