Fort Worth evangelist shares gospel message by clowning around the world_40504

Posted: 3/12/04

Fort Worth evangelist shares gospel
message by clowning around the world

By Leann Callaway

Special to the Baptist Standard

FORT WORTH—Eugenio Adorno, better known as Chagy the Clown, says he entertains audiences the same way secular circus acts do. But his performances have the added bonus of presenting the gospel.

"I am a creative evangelist who uses the art of clowning and many other tools to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ," he explained. "People say that laughter is the best medicine, but I want to share medicine for the lost soul."

Adorno, who was born in Puerto Rico, is a member of Templo Bautista Emanuel in Fort Worth. He performs 200 times a year as a clown for evangelistic crusades, Vacation Bible Schools, block parties and other outreach efforts. He also uses illusions, comedy, storytelling, balloon sculpting and juggling in his acts.

"Clowns bring laughter, but only God can fill a heart with joy," he said. "I enjoy making people of all ages laugh, but I am thrilled when I see people rendering their lives to our Lord, Jesus Christ."

Adorno also teaches in clown conventions and has created his own clown seminars, where he tells how a relationship with Jesus Christ changed his life.

"Part of this ministry is to share what I have been able to learn," he explained. "I use this opportunity to share my knowledge but most of all to share about Jesus, the one that has turned my life around."

Adorno came to faith in Jesus Christ at age 21.

"I heard about Christ through a female friend, Audria, who later became my wife," he explained.

At the beginning of their marriage, the couple committed themselves to full-time ministry and became missionaries for the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board. In 1992, they were commissioned as resort ministry directors for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Three years later, they moved to Fort Worth where Adorno attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In the last decade, Adorno's clown ministry has reached people all over the world.

"Every ministry opportunity leaves an impression in my life," he said. "It doesn't matter if the event is for a small group of 10 or for an auditorium with 30,000 people. God's power is evident in all of them."

One of his most treasured ministry experiences took place in 2002, when his parents attended a performance in Puerto Rico.

"As I finished the altar call, my father came to me and said that he invited Jesus into his life."