Christian Comedian Nazareth Glorifies God Through Laughter: ‘God Created Humor’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Christian comedian Nazareth shared his journey from tax accountant to Christian comedian, adding that making people laugh is his way of glorifying God.
“I was doing accounting, tax accounting, and then I decided to run a marathon,” Nazareth told CBN when asked how he got into comedy. “I didn’t know why. I was not a Christian then; I was smoking, drinking, and I decided to run it.”
After finishing the race, the comedian was struck that he had just done something he had never thought he could do. This led him to think about what he would want to do more than anything.
The answer? Stand-up comedy.
Nazareth said his career immediately took off, from slots at big clubs to TV work.
“NBC was trying to do a sitcom for me called FISH OUT OF WATER,” he said. “So everything started growing fast for me.”
He was not initially a clean comedian, but after a fellow comedian friend invited him to church, Nazareth forged a relationship with Jesus.
“After going to church, I learned God loves you,” he explained. “Come as you are! I gave my life to Christ that day.”
The next day, Nazareth called his manager and told him he was quitting comedy.
“I felt I could not honor God with what I’m doing,” he said.
After a week, the pastor at the church he was attending approached him about doing a comedy show. Nazareth was resistant, wondering how he could honor God through comedy.
“He goes, ‘God created humor,’” Nazareth recalled. “‘Satan perverted it. You do it for Him.’ And that was the big break for me.”
He continued, “I felt the Lord saying, ‘You do this now for me. Your mission is to encourage people, lift them up and bring them to know me through your comedy.’”
“A lot of people call me ‘The Billy Graham of Comedy,’” Nazareth joked. “I love to bring people, make them laugh for an hour and a half, but at the end give them the same hope that was given to me. And the only hope that I can give to people is through a relationship with Jesus Christ.”
He is quick to emphasize that he’s a comedian and not a preacher, but Nazareth loves to share the story of his faith.
“It’s like if you see a really good movie, you want to tell people about it,” he told The Colorado Gazette. “I want to tell people how Jesus changed my life.”
One of the ways Nazareth spreads his message is through visits to places many would not assume a stand-up comic would go.
“I started going to places where it’s going to be a tough audience. Prison would be a tough audience. How about IRS agents? How about homeless shelters?” he said while appearing on the “Jesus Calling” podcast.
He continued, “I want to go where laughter is needed. A lot of times homeless people or people who are hurting or women in a halfway home, those people, life is so hard they don’t have time to go to a comedy club. They can’t afford to go to a comedy club. And this is where my joy is. I want someone in the audience that can’t afford to go to a comedy club, bring their family, and they don’t have to pay for it. To see families together laughing, and then they get to hear the gospel, to me, this is the ultimate joy.”
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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.
