Christian Comedian
https://mikewilliamscomedy.com/
Interview by Trisha Bleau Smith
T4J: How did your ministry form?
MW: I was writing comedy for a nationally known comedian for fun in my spare time.
T4J: What led you to become a Christian Comedian?
MW: Well if you are a Christian, then it affects everything you do. If I was a Janitor, I would be a Christian Janitor and be driven to clean with the same fervor that I now tell jokes with. Godly passion always comes through our lives.
T4J: Where do you see yourself in five years?
MW: Doing the same thing!
T4J: Ten?
MW: Island in the Bahamas!
T4J: The future?
MW: For me “tomorrow” is the future! We have no guarantees of even that. I do want to be finding God in the journey wherever and whatever I am doing.
T4J: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz?
MW: I already am! My job is not to avoid fame. My job is to be the “salt and light” in the midst of a dark tasteless world. I am not Amish! I have electricity and I still love God!
T4J: That success will change you?
MW: It already has. It makes me fall to my knees and thank God for His blessings. Success has equipped me to be a “real neighbor” to others around the world. Jesus was very successful! He was a total success because He did what the Father wanted him to do. I will not stoop to call success “a guest shot on Lifestyles of the Rich and famous”.
T4J: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences?
MW: Someone once shouted to James Taylor in the midst of his live CD , “I love you James!” He responded by saying, “I think it helps us not to know each other.” Now that was funny!
T4J: Do you fellowship with them?
MW: To the degree if they want to come by my house for a BBQ that would be fine. The stalkers must go! Seriously!
T4J: Or do you remain distant as the performer?
MW: What distance is there… miles? You have never invited me to stay at your house. And Michael W. Smith tells me you have not invited him to stay at your house either. I will be at his ranch for a few days next month, I will ask him if anything has chang ed… It is as much your responsibility to make friends. But also consider that I get almost 50 emails a day from fans and I have to love my kids too. When I get to heaven I will not be questioned on whether I visited some one in Minot, ND. I will be asked If I led my children in their devotions though!
T4J: Who, or what, are you biggest influences?
MW: Jesus, Tim Wilson, my wife, prozac. Not always in that order!
T4J: What is the message you are trying to get across with your comedy?
MW: It differs every night. I am multi-faceted. Whoops I think I spelled that wrong… like so many other words in this interview… it is becoming a habit. Will you correct them for me? Good.
T4J: Do you purposely try to share Jesus in every venue or are you there to make them laugh first and foremost?
MW: Yes/ Yes/ maybe/ sometimes/ always/ sometimes never
T4J: Were you a class clown as a kid?
MW: NO! I wasn’t even funny.
T4J: What is the biggest thing you have learned from performing and ministering through comedy?
MW: Check your zipper before you go on stage.
T4J: Do you ever get criticized for your job?
MW: C’mon. Criticism from fellow believers… it would never happen.
T4J: Do you write your comedy before you perform or do you wing it on stage?
MW: Both!
T4J: Who are some of the people you have performed with and what did you think of them?
MW: Third day, Big Tent, Audio A, Amy Grant, Jars, DC Talk. I think Mac needs to dye his beard. I think Big Tent needs a bigger tent. I think Amy is a nice girl. I think Jars could use a new manager… I think Kevin needs therapy.
T4J: Are you involved in your home church?
MW: Yes!
T4J: What role do you have there?
MW: Missions Pastor
T4J: Are you involved in any other ministries?
MW: yes
T4J: What kind of support do you get from your family?
MW: They bought me a girdle!
T4J: From your church?
MW: Yeah, but they have their own lives to deal with too.
T4J: From your community as a whole?
MW: The lost world will never get behind God’s work. If they do, I will find a new God, cause I have obviously missed him.
T4J: Do you have any advice to give to the youth of our world?
MW: Don’t litter! If you don’t have a purpose… get one. If you can’t find a suitable purpose… get out!
T4J: Was it hard getting started as a Christian Comedian?
MW: Yes!
T4J: Can you briefly outline the process it takes to start performing?
MW: Start telling jokes, if they laugh… tell more. Always quit before they stop laughing. I have a book about this called how to make it in the business compiled by the Christian Comedy Coalition on my website. They can see more there. This question is too long for me to seriously answer.
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