Ringgold illusionist uses faith to inspire teens

By Mark Andrews

When Jaden Maxwell was 7 years old, his mother gave him a memoir box that contained photographs, medals, badges and other items associated with his father. A drunk driver killed his father, a police officer, before Maxwell was born.

Among the items in the box was a magic trick called “Nickels to Dimes.” The trick created the illusion of nickels transforming into dimes.

Maxwell was so intrigued by the trick that he performed it in front of his friends “until they were sick of it.” He then read everything he could find on the art of illusion and magic at the public library in his hometown of Apison, Tenn.

It wasn’t until Maxwell saw illusionists like Jeff McBride and David Copperfield that he realized the things he was reading about could come to life.

Maxwell, who now lives in Ringgold, said he was a shy kid, often having problems with public speaking.

“I was the kid the other kids didn’t want to be around,” Maxwell said.

After learning more illusions and getting comfortable performing, Maxwell learned to overcome those obstacles.

“It got me to be me,” Maxwell said. “And it gave me a reason to believe in myself.”

Maxwell said the art of illusion became an escape for him as a child and as a teen, growing up in an alcoholic home and being sent to his room quite often.

“I found a way to escape the world of reality into a world of illusion,” Maxwell said. “It molded and shaped me and eventually became a part of me.”

Maxwell said he was involved with as many activities as possible as a child and teen, mainly as a device to avoid coming home. Magic and illusion, Maxwell said, was something he could always bring with him.

Faith-based performances

What sets Maxwell apart from others in the field is his faith-based performance, witnessing his Christian faith to young teens through the art of illusion.

His business card references Bible verses 1 Peter 4:10-11, which Maxwell sums up as “if you’ve got a gift, use it.”

Maxwell said he never thought he would associate illusion with his faith, but the connection came about a year ago when he decided this was what he was going to do with his life.

Before Maxwell made a career out of magic and illusion, he tried different routes, including military service and studying journalism in college.

The events of Sept. 11 inspired Maxwell to join the Marines. During his time of service, Maxwell was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. While stationed, Maxwell used his gift to perform in front of his fellow Marines and even had the opportunity to perform in front of former President George W. Bush.

At 29 years old, Maxwell has traveled all over the U.S., parts of Mexico and even to Nassau, Bahamas, to perform. He has performed three times at the annual Day Out with Thomas event in Chattanooga and will be performing at the Colonnade in Ringgold on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The event will be called No Illusion and will be presented free to the public by CrossPointe Church.

“We’re in a new era and we need to inspire kids to the utmost,” Maxwell said. “I’m just here to help plant the seed (of faith).”

Maxwell said he’s nothing more than “a simple man who knows a couple of cool things,” but wants to use his gift to help young teens see what faith has done for him.

He said the most rewarding aspect of performing is the actual moment “when the magic takes place.”

“It sparks the imagination back to a time when anything is possible,” Maxwell said.