We recently connected with David & Kylie Knight and have shared our conversation below.
David & Kylie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Honestly, the most meaningful project we have worked on is the honor and privilege of being the Global Ambassadors for an organization called ‘Uganda Shoe Trees’ (UST). Uganda Shoe Trees (501c3) is one of the four prime initiatives of Shoe Tree Educational Support, an international, non-profit, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) registered in Uganda which exists to support eco-friendly, self-sustaining, educational opportunities to fight poverty in rural Uganda. Started in 2017 by pastor, and author, David Wahlstedt, UST provides entrepreneurial educators with locally-sourced, hand-crafted school shoes, indigenous fruit trees, and other educational resources through innovative partnerships with philanthropic individuals, corporations, and organizations. There are 18 million Ugandan children under the age of sixteen – up to a third of which are not in school during a given academic semester. For them, owning shoes and attending school is only a dream because their families are too poor to afford the shoes required as part of the school uniform. $20 will buy a pair of socks and shoes, as well as two fruit trees for a needy child in Uganda. In our role as Global Ambassadors, we use our show as a platform to talk about this amazing organization and encourage people to support it. Through our efforts we have been able to help hundreds of children change their lives through the gift of an education. To learn more about UST, visit www.ugandashoetrees.org
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
We are a husband and wife Christian illusionist duo who have traveled and performed together for over 15 years. Using the popularity of illusions and magic to draw crowds, we engage your local community while creating gospel and church connection opportunities. As a team we have covered thousands of miles and helped churches and ministries all around the world reach their communities with the love of God. It was during a 6th grade reading assignment that David felt the draw of the art of illusion after reading a biography on the famous magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini. Throughout high school David honed his craft by performing in restaurants and at private parties around his home town of Dallas, Texas.
: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, absolutely! The mission and heartbeat of our ministry is to share about our value and uniqueness as beings created in the image of God. We believe that having a better understanding of how we were created can draw us closer to the Creator. This is best exemplified through a story about a recent show at a church in Denver, Colorado. A certain family was attending our event mostly in support of their son. The father had been reluctant to go to church events because “they are going to try to convert me.” After hearing our message and understanding how he was created, the father approached the pastor and asked “I know I am made in the image of God. What is my next step?’ To see that life-change is what we are all about. It is story after story similar to this that drive us.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Great question! We believe that there is no such thing as a non-creative. We believe that everyone is created in the image of God. Part of that image is as a creator. Those who consider themselves as non-creative simply may just be over looking the elements of their life where they are creative.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.knightillusions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knightillusions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KnightIllusions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/knightillusions/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/KnightIllusions
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/knightillusions
- Other: For non-ministry shows, visit https://www.davidandkylieknight.com
Image Credits
Aaron Stone Daniel Lusk Kylie Knight