"The Magic Castle looks for the best magicians in the world
and you are one of the best. You have the skills, you have
THE CHOPS, I love your work."-Jack Goldfinger
Entertainment Director of The Magic Castle
“For our past two conferences Danny Ray has been amazing! His magic is incredible, the students loved it!. His messages were powerful. And he is a great man to work with. I can guarantee that Danny Ray will be a powerful part of whatever student ministry event you are planning. “
Bob Arnold
Executive Director
Metro Maryland Youth for Christ
Director Impact and Alive Conferences
"I love the ministry of Danny Ray! From the first time I worked with Danny and his assistant Jeremiah, I knew they were a different type of "entertainment" for the world of student ministry. His illusions are breathtaking and the way he weaves powerful messages of faith throughout his program is unique, biblical and engaging. I have used Danny as a main event show, retreat highlight and as a retreat speaker. I have never been disappointed in his performance and his authentic interaction with my students. By the way, that is one of the coolest parts of booking Danny Ray, he loves spending time getting to know his audience—they love him! Danny is a must have for your next youth event!”
Dr. David W. Fraze
Director of Student Ministry
The Hills church of Christ
"Everyone loved Danny and his skills. We have never in 15 years of the event, had someone have everyone's attention for so long, and the Holy Spirit's presence that night was priceless (Praise God)!" -Ron Kirkeeng EV Free Church Crystal Lake, IL "The show was highly entertaining, but more importantly, very God focused with a powerful message about Jesus. Your magic was better than anything I have seen- not cheeseball- and thank you for bringing a strong biblical message with it."
-Justin Bell, Calvary Chapel Camarillo
It was great having you at NYC'08, the students absolutely loved the performance and the breakout session. Thanks for being so great to work with and using your gifts for His glory!
-Jeffery Roth, Youth Pastor
FULL RISEN MAGAZINE ARTICLE Danny Ray is a master magician. He has the ability to captivate a room of teenagers and make grown men scratch their heads in wonder. He is a premiere illusionist, a wizard of awes. His art is a rare one, one that took my breath away the first time I witnessed it. When I met him that night, he seemed friendly and professional, but restrained. After a few conversations, he was more relaxed and showed off his quick wit, but he had an intensity in his face that suggests another world is spinning in his head. It’s an energy that drives him to be better, quicker…
OUTREACH MAGAZINE ARTICLE It's probably safe to say that of the top sleight-of-hand illusionists in the world, Danny Ray is the only one with a Master's degree and 10 years of full time church ministry under his belt. When Ray became a Christian he'd already been practicing card tricks and illusions for several years. But after seeing a so-called Gospel magician's cheesy stage act, he decided his talent and faith would never mix. He pursued his calling to preach God's Word after years of college and seminary, became a youth pastor. Soon, Ray's church ministry grew . . .
MAGICAL MINISTRY ARTICLE The former youth pastor weaves sleight of hand with thegospel to lead others to theLord.His message , though, is straightforward: God's gifts andhis calling are irrevocable.“I'm using my God-given gifteveryway I can to glorify Him,”says Thompson, of Yucaipa whose stage name is DannyRay.Encouraged, he reconsideredhis call to become a gospelmagician.The decision was made easierby a bequest from his wife'sgrandmother.In June, after a 10-year stint asyouth pastor at Yucaipa Christian Church, Danny Rayand Kimberly started UprightIllusions. The couple arewho graduated from the University of Redlands beforegetting a Master of Divinitydegree from Fuller TheologicalSeminary.Dan Monteverde, who helpedguide Danny Ray's journey tothe ministry, is proud of hissuccess.“Danny's way of incorporatingsleight of hand with the gospel . . .
