One of the big hits of ncyc11 was undoubtedly ‘Australia’s celebrity magician’, Christopher Wayne.

One of two keynote speakers, Christopher used his magic to share his story and inspire young people.

“I thought that I would bring my magic and hopefully be able to share my story, because there was nothing special about me—not that’s there’s anything special about me now—but I just made a choice to answer the call that I believe God had for me,” said Christopher of what he planned for ncyc11.

During an evening of Nightlife at ncyc11, delegates were entertained by the magic, comedy and story of Christopher Wayne.

“I’ve loved magic ever since I was a kid,” reflects Christopher.

“About five years ago, I was working at Arnott’s, a biscuit factory.

“It was good work and I enjoyed it, but I felt that I wanted to do something more.

“I asked myself, if I could do anything in the world, what would it be, and the answer was magic.

“But I felt that was unrealistic. I didn’t know any tricks, I was really shy and I didn’t know anything about show business.

“But then I remembered a conversation with my Chaplain’s assistant when I was about 13 or 14 years old.

“I’d been kept back on detention after misbehaving during RE.

“And afterwards, she didn’t yell at me but asked me what I wanted to be.

“She encouraged me to believe in myself and to believe that God had made me special.”

So Christopher Wayne spent time learning tricks, practising public speaking and creating his show, Gospel Magic.

In his first year, he did more than 250 shows and now inspires people with his magic shows and appearances on Toasted TV.

In addition to speaking each night of ncyc11, one of the most popular elective sessions was learning the art of performing magic and entertaining people led by Christopher, despite battling a bad throat infection.

But as always, the NCYC community was also able to give something back to Christopher Wayne.

“What I saw this week is people not just from all over Australia, but places from around the world and they’re all united in one thing—their faith.

“But they all encounter and experience and share their faith in different ways.

“Just to see that sort of helped me appreciate and see the bigger picture that there’s not just one way of worshipping God or living a Christian life.”