Illusionist shares story of spiritual awakening at Judson
From a young age, Jim Munroe had a fascination with the art of illusion.
He was hooked since the day he was handed his first magician's kit as a child.
Munroe believed everything could be eventually explained through science, that there is no wonder and that "every miracle is nothing more than a misunderstanding."
"I don't know many other illusionists in my world that would consider themselves to be spiritual or people of faith," Munroe told an audience of 370 people Monday at Judson University in Elgin.
Yet, when faced with his own mortality, Munroe said he began questioning the truth behind what he had perceived to be the biggest mystery and illusion of all - faith and religion.
An author and inspirational speaker from Dallas, Munroe headlined Judson University's World Leaders Forum Inspirational Series Monday.
In previous years, Judson's series has featured Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton and Life Without Limbs founder, author and motivational speaker Nick Vujicic.
Munroe's baseball career at the University of Texas ended when he suffered an injury after which he began investigating various philosophies and beliefs. His exploration into the unknown and the supernatural fueled a passion for magic. Today, he is one of the most sought after magicians in the world, performing in hundreds of cities, concert halls and theaters.
Amid tricks of illusion, Munroe told the audience how being diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and given months to live at age 29 became the turning point of his life. And how he received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant five months later from then 20-year-old Jennell Jenney of Milwaukee, whom he calls his "savior."
Out of an international database of nearly 9 million potential bone marrow donors, Jenney was the only match, Munroe said.
"I stand here today 100 percent completely cancer free because of that perfect blood of a perfect match," said Munroe, now 38, who is in full remission.
That "miracle" began Munroe's spiritual journey. Today, he tours the country talking about his transformation from an "agnostic/borderline atheist" to becoming a believer, surviving cancer and emphasizing the importance of becoming a bone marrow donor as a spokesman for Be The Match National Marrow Donor Program.
"I'm either crazy and just a statistical anomaly ... or you might have to believe what I believe is true and that there is something bigger going on behind the scenes," he said. "Modern medicine was a huge part of helping me be well. But, for me, it's more than the medicine. I am overwhelmingly convinced of who this Jesus is now."
Munroe's show, The MAZE, has become a tool for recruitment of potential donors and has resulted in more than 14,000 people joining the national registry in three years, he said.
Representatives of Be The Match, which manages the largest and most diverse global database marrow registry, were at the forum promoting awareness of the need for donors.
"It's been the most remarkable thing I have ever done in my life," said Jenney, 28, of donating. "It could change your life and how many other lives in the world."