Evangelist Carl Brandenburg
“Dad”

No one has influenced my faith more that my #1 Hero, my Dad, Evangelist Carl Brandenburg. There are not enough words in the English language to describe the wonderful influence and convicting example Dad has been to me. He and Mom are the best Christians I have ever known.

Mom was a missionary nurse before meeting and marrying dad. Dad was called to preach and was licensed into the ministry in 1950. Dad has been a magician since he was 13 years old. He had gotten away from the ministry for many years and then in July of 1968 he rededicated his life to the Lord and was led of God to begin using his talent in the art of magic (illusions) to present the Gospel. Mom and dad helped to start the children’s church at the Troy Baptist Temple of Troy, Ohio where I grew up. They also began to conduct several Good News Clubs per week to reach more children with the Gospel.

"Magic with a Message" is the name Evangelist Carl Brandenburg gave to his method of presenting the Gospel with sleight of hand tricks, commonly called "magic." Watch as he uses his talent as a magician to capture the attention of children of all ages and then present them with Biblical truth.

The greatest blessing of growing up in the Brandenburg home is to have parents that demonstrated genuine Christianity on a daily basis. Dad and Mom showed us how a Believer was to live. Theirs have always been a lives of faithfulness, commitment, sacrifice and servanthood. They were faithful and loyal to the local church, they were consistent in their Bible reading, financial giving, witnessing, and laboring for the Lord. It was in their home where I first heard the Gospel, was challenged to serve the Lord and then given the opportunity to exercise my calling to the ministry. I will forever be indebted to them for the faith that they passed to me. The following verses describe my parents better than I could…

2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

I watched my Dad get up very early every morning, spend time reading his Bible and pray before going to work at B.F. Goodrich. He would get off work every day at 3:00 PM, and would be home by 3:15 PM, shower, change clothes, we would have supper, and then the family would get into the car and drive to a church to do a Children’s Revival service. (Dad called them, “Kid’s Krusades.”) We would drive home after the service. I, along with dad, my brother, and my sister would go to bed, and mom would go to work as a nurse throughout the night while we slept. The next day we would do it again. Even in this busy schedule they stayed faithful to our home church, were consistent in their personal walk with God, Dad did correspondence Bible college work from three different Bible colleges, including completing the “Liberty Home Bible Institute” curriculum.

Mom went to Heaven on April 1, 2016. Dad is 85 years old. He misses mom, but still wants to do something for God. At the bottom of this page is a video of Dad presenting “Magic with a Message” at Faith Baptist Church in Warren, Michigan on November 4, 2018. Dad served as a children's evangelist for over 35 years, beginning in 1968. He retired several years ago and this is his first time "back in the saddle" again after many years.

I was saved during one of Dad's children's revival meetings in 1972 in Piqua, Ohio. Many of you have heard me talk about him for years, now see for yourself how God has used him.

My Mom went to Heaven on April 1, 2016. They were married for 57 years and was his constant companion. Dad is not able to drive himself to meetings any longer, but would like to get back to doing programs in churches. We are praying for a young man who is interested in ministry to be Dad's traveling companion to drive him to churches where he would give the "Magic With a Message" program. He lives near Dayton, Ohio. Please contact me directly if you are interested.

Click below to watch “Magic with a Message.”