Christian Comedian Shama Mrema On the Rise: ‘I Want to See Churches Succeed’
By Movieguide® Staff
Christian comedian Shama Mrema recently reflected on his unique upbringing as a church planter’s child in Africa and his previous job as a youth pastor after attending a Bible College in South Carolina.
“I just had so much experience from South Carolina to hundreds of churches in the southeast. I saw the gamut of everything, all the craziest experiences,” Mrema told The Christian Post. “So, church experience, plus professional production experience and being moderately funny — I can work with these three.”
Mrema shares two children with his wife, Grace, and is accustomed to poking fun at Evangelical Church culture.
With over 270,000 online followers and millions of views on his comedy videos, Christians can relate to his jokes about Chik-fil-a, church, and more.
Despite his subject matter, Mrema said that he wants to respect church and not turn his jokes into hostility towards pastors or congregants.
“I want to see churches succeed,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Can I make fun of these names and still look my pastor in the eyes on Sunday when I get there?'”
“I know my mom is going to watch my videos, and I’ve been surrounded by so many great friends, family and mentors, and I want them to watch and enjoy the things I make,” he added. “So, it’s never been an option for me to think about pushing the envelope.”
Mrema said that he does not ignore the reality of church hurt, which he experienced after he was released as a youth pastor before his comedy career.
“It does inform a lot of what I put out,” he said. “I met some really amazing people there. I had a really awesome time there because my family was overseas. So this church was my family, my community, but the leadership wasn’t solid. … There were a lot of expectations placed on the role of being a student pastor, and I loved the kids. I loved spending time with them, but that almost took a backseat.”
“It’s always really heartbreaking for me because I’m like, the reason why I made this video is to say, ‘This is not OK. … People have also experienced this, and we never were meant to,'” he said of church hurt. “But ultimately, it’s hard to do online, obviously, in only 30 seconds, 90 seconds, 10 minutes. You can’t explain theology or the importance of church culture and community in a short form video.”
Mrema added that the church also helps cultivate creatives, and he hopes that future content can be quality, family-friendly projects reminiscent of his childhood shows, VeggieTales.
“My team and I, we’re in line,” he said. “And, hopefully, when they call our number, we’ll be ready.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
