Host, actor, emcee, and clean comedian Shama Mrema has been making people laugh ever since going viral with his 2018 “Veggie Tales (Remix)” song.
Mrema’s internet fame landed him a TBN spin-off show, and he has writing credits for award shows like the Doves and the K-LOVE Fan Awards.
ChurchLeaders sat down with Mrema over the summer during his “The Church Comedy Tour” with Jaron Myers and Mike Goodwin (“America’s Got Talent”), a night that was filled with clean, biblical humor.
Mrema, who has a significant social media following, discussed his upbringing in a Christian, homeschooled environment, his early inspirations in comedy, and how his faith and family background have shaped his comedic voice.
The comedian shared stories about his journey from working odd jobs to creating viral content and how he navigates the balance between humor and respect within the Christian community.
Mrema discussed the challenges and opportunities in Christian comedy, including his experiences at music award shows and his observations about the industry’s culture.
Mrema shared how he approaches satire—aiming to make jokes that even those being poked fun at can appreciate—and talked about the importance of providing laughter and perspective within the church while not being afraid to call out the obvious.
While reflecting on memorable sketches, collaborations, and the evolving landscape of Christian comedy, Mrema expressed a hope for more opportunities and recognition, such as the creation of a new comedy category at Christian award shows.
“I hope that there’s just more, that we get welcomed into more spaces,” Mrema told ChurchLeaders regarding the future of Christian comedy.
“Every single year, I think there’s one more” opportunity he didn’t have the previous year, he said. “People are trusting us to go, ‘Hey, I’m not inviting a comedian who’s gonna come and roast everybody and throw the mic on the ground and leave,’” Mrema added. “You know, I’m here to laugh and also hang out and shake people’s hands and be accountable for the things that I said up there.”
Mrema helped write the monologue for this year’s 56th Annual Dove Awards, which will be hosted by Tauren Wells at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on Oct. 7. The broadcast will air on TBN Friday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. EST.
Follow Mrema on social media.
Watch the full interview here.
