Every so often, since the death of Dr. Wendell Hansen in late 2002, we thought about the fate of his amazing performing Bible Birds, who traveled with the Hansen family for 50 years. Were they still playing basketball, swallowing swords, and spreading the Word by Bird? This holiday season, we received a Christmas card from Eunace Hansen, Wendell's wife. She mentioned in closing that a Dr. Barnwell had continued with the Bible Bird ministry.

We discovered Dr. Ray E. Barnwell Sr., based in Fishers, Indiana, has kept the Bible Birds fully employed. He takes them out on local and regional bookings in a new show called the Safari Bible Birds.

In addition to the mainstays of the Hansen Bible Bird show, such as the burning building, basketball, and the flag raising, "gospel illusions" are performed. The audiences are "pre-Christian outreach," Sunday school and gospel groups.

Dr. Barnwell reports that 2004 kicks off the 54th edition of the Bible Birds: "We are very proud to carry on the tradition. Dr. and Mrs. Hansen were personal friends for more that 25 years. I had trained some of the Birds for Dr Hansen."

"The birds are doing great and have made the adjustment to us quite well. One of the birds -- Isaac -- had not been performing when we took over last fall 2002. He has now become our number two performer. We have also added some additional doves."

Barnwell is assisted by his wife Sue. "We have five presentations, ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour. We have somewhat modernized the look and feel of the program, and have added more Christian/gospel illusions. We are available in Indiana and the surrounding states."

More information about Safari Bible Birds

[01/01/2004]