Gospel comedians want acceptance

Not many persons have heard of gospel comedians, but for Mytania 'Zazan Zazan' Samuels and Lacell Parnell, they believe being a Christian is not all about being 'serious', and as such, they are lobbying for gospel comedians to be accepted in the faith.

Both men have been baptised for the past five years; before that, they used their talents in the secular world. But they now believe their God-given talents can also be used to give glory to Jesus.

"I was a DJ and did comical songs. While I was in that space, I realised there were gatekeepers. Persons were cheering me on, but when I reach at the door, there was someone there trying to hold me back. I left out of the world now and I come to find that it is the same thing within the Christian faith," Samuels said. "When me cross over, God seh, ' hear wapm youth, that which I have placed in you and the enemy did use even in a way that it shouldn't have been use, mi a go restore you back from the enemy'. And now God a put me pan some paths. Him a open some doors so much now, me shock when mi come buck up back pan some gatekeepers inna Christendom."

Samuels said that he was aware that not many people would be accepting of this form of ministry. But he noted that not everyone in the faith is called to sing, preach or prophesy.

Parnell said that he has always had a knack for comedy as he took on the moniker of 'Girly', which he played for years.

During his time in the US, he created the persona 'Mr Handsome', which he says many grew to love.

"I am not a savvy reader and writer. I didn't finish school or have education to pursue a different job, but what I have is comedy. I am an actor, and what I want to do is use it for the glorification of God and entertain the body of Christ," he said.

He said that in 2015, a year after he got baptised, he and Samuels wrote a play called The Good Man, and persons in St Ann saw it and it blessed them.

He said their comedies are about the church and what happens in the church space.

"Even the Bible lets you know there is a season, time and place for everything," Parnell said. "We are on the same team and we are saying what God has placed as purpose, do not stop it."