Click above to read a Feb 2009 Central Connection feature on the Kistler Family.
(PDF - 915 KB)
The Kistler Family - Territorial Evangelists
Kerry and Jil Kistler are Captains with the Salvation Army, and assigned as Territorial Evangelists for the 11 state Central Territory. The Kistler Family ministry team also includes two of their children, Jeremy, and Christy. Together, this family combines a variety of theatrical performance skills including illusion, chalk art, ventriloquism, clowning, comedy, and more. They have traveled throughout the northeast and mid-west sharing family-friendly evangelistic programs with thousands of people in a wide variety of group settings since 1996.
Kerry worked for two decades as a commercial artist after he graduated from Indiana University. He holds his permanent teacher's certification in Vocational Commercial Arts and taught for 11 years in a New York state prison.
As a former teacher, pastor, and longtime member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, Kerry brings an inspiring Biblical challenge as well as an entertainment quality to these family programs. His unique skill as an illusionist and chalk artist combines several different communications techniques such as comedy, colorful speed drawing, music, dramatized stories and theatrical special effects.
Jil is a graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Business & Systems. Her performance skills include ventriloquism, clowning and piano. In addition to her on-the-road ministry duties, Jil also home schools their children.
The story of how the Kistler Family came to minister with the Salvation Army can be found in
this cover article, published in the Christian Conjurer, the official magazine of the
Fellowship of Christian Magicians.