Hanging Up My Mic

There's been so much going on here recently in my life, I haven't had much time for blogging. Things have gotten exciting & busy all at the same time! There's so much that I want to tell you about, I hardly know where to start!

The BIG thing going on in m life right now is that I've got a new job! I switched jobs back in a little over 2 months ago. It's a big change for me! I'm now working full time, again, for the first time in almost 4 years! Plus, I get benefits!

I've also been pretty busy here lately at the church. Our senior pastor has been having problems with his back, & I've been getting a lot of opportunities at church to minister & lead services. It's been really cool! Over the last 10 weeks I did an eight part series on the Seven Churches of Revelation! I know that don't add up, but that's what we did! Anyways....

God has been doing so many great things in my life here lately, & I know out there right now He's leading me into all kinds of different ministry opportunities. I know that there's going to be opportunities to witness & minister at my new job. I know that there's plenty of chances to minister at church. Everything's so exciting right now!

With all that being said, I do have another announcement, and this announcement is the whole reason I'm blogging.

I'm hanging up my microphone for a season.

Yep. I'm taking a break from comedy for a while.

It's not because of things aren't going good, comedy wise. I've been on pace this year to book more shows than ever! I've got around 75 minutes worth of material. Recently I had one of my best shows EVER!

So, why am I hanging up my mic right for now?

#.1) God wants me to lay it down & focus on other things.

I have a friend of mine who is going to be starting up a ministry here soon, & I feel as if I'm supposed to be apart of it. It's not a church, but something different. And I'm excited to work with him helping him do his part in building God's Kingdom.

Also, I've always wanted to write a book. The last 10 weeks I've been preaching a series on the Seven Churches of Revelation. They whole time I was going through the study, I felt like this should be a book. I have actually even been praying about it, asking God if I should write a book! The funny thing is that as soon as I was done preaching the last message of the series, a few people in my church came up to me & suggested that I write a book about the Seven Churches of Revelation!! YES!! Confirmation! And my Pastor even agrees that I should, as well!!

So, right now I'm getting ready to start writing my first book!!

#2.) God has really blessed me with this job. He's given me a chance to do something I haven't been able to do in about 4 years - He's given me a chance to provide for my family with steady, stable income. And for that, I'm thankful.

While my new work schedule does not in any way interfere with church, it doesn't, however, prevents me from taking any comedy gigs on the weekend. I could get my schedule changed if I really wanted, but you know what? I'm at peace about this schedule & I feel like I'm right where the Lord wants me for now. I'm not going to mess with it.

Besides, I know that this is only for a season. I know that in the future I'll be doing comedy again. And I'm sure I'll do little projects here & there & post a bunch of stupid stuff online. I'm not going to stop being funny! I'm just going to stop performing for while & focus on my obedience to Christ Jesus.

I thank all of you who have stood by me, encouraged me, loved me, & supported me these last 3 years. Eric's Comedy would not even be here if it wasn't for you guys! THANK YOU!!

Please continue to stand by me, encourage me, love me, support me, and pray for me & my family as my life takes another turn in another direction.

And don't worry....I'll be back!!
;-)

A Blog About a Picture

They say a picture's worth a thousand words. I don't know how many words I'm going to put into this blog this morning, but I have a picture that's worth talking about.

 

Anslea is the pretty little girl in the shorts & tank top. Guess how old she is? I'll tell you. She is 3 years old.

Guess what she's doing?

She's handing out food to orphans in Cambodia just a few miles away from the Killing Fields, several Buddist temples, and brothels that keep children as sex slaves.

Anslea is my adopted "niece." Her mom (Beth) is my wife's best friend, and her dad (Jonathon) is a close, personal friend of mine. I have had the privilage of helping Jonathon make 3 mission trips to Cambodia, and helping Beth go twice. This year Jonathon & Beth were able to take Anslea, their oldest son, Anthony, and Beth's mother, Ann, and are currently serving alongside Water of Life Ministries in Phnom Penh.

So, what do you think about this picture?

There's a 3 year old girl serving Jesus in Cambodia. If she can do it why can't you? What's your excuse?

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to guilt you into going on a mission trip to some third-world country. That's not my intention.

However, there's some reading this who God is calling to the mission field and you're ignoring His call. He's calling you to go, & you just want to make excuses:

• I'm too old.
• I'm too fat.
• I can't afford it.
• It'll be too hard (physically, mentally, emotionally)
• I don't want to leave the kids.
• My church won't support me.
• I can serve Christ here at home. (Are you? How?)
• Etc., etc., etc....

It's time to stop making excuses & doing what the Lord Jesus has called & created you to do: fulfill the Great Commission.

And here it is: Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the World." Amen.

This command was given by Jesus to all of Christianity, and there's only two ways that this can be fulfilled:

1. Either you're going...
2. or you're sending.

If you're not doing one or the other than you're not doing your part to fulfill the Great Commission.

Right now, this stage of my life, I'm a sender. I'm trying to put my gifts & talents to use to send missionaries. (For more information please check out my Microphones for World Missions Tour.)

If you're interested in getting involved with missions I can help. I can give you some leads that will help get you started, no matter if you want to go or if you want to send.

If you already are a missionary, that's great! Contact me! I would love to help you fundraise for your next mission trip or your upcoming mission project!

All-in-all, it's not as hard as you would think it would be. If a 3 year old can do it, then so can you!

Thanks for reading!

Yours in Christ & Comedy,
Comedian Eric Johnson
info@EricsComedy.com

Microphones for World Missions Tour

I've never tried putting together a tour before. Actually, I've never been on a tour. So why am I doing this?

The last 3 years my wife & I have been very blessed that we've been able to fundraise & send our son on 3 mission trips to Baja, Mexico through the non-profit organization Global Expeditions.

It's hard to say just how many lives were impacted just by my son & his teams going to Baja, Mexico. While there they were able to build several houses, conduct street evangelism through which hundreds came to know Christ, develope relationships with many of the locals, as well as develope life-long relationships with each other. They also had many oppertunities to pray for people.  There were countless testimonies coming out of Mexico of both locals & students experience life changing miracles.

God used these students in powerful ways, and because of that, not only were the people of Baja, Mexico changed, but the students lives, as well.

This year our son decided to take a year off. He has worked hard the last three years planning, fundraising, praying, & actually going.

My son has had such amazing experiences. I'm so happy that my wife & I have been able to help him fundraise over the years. We have certainly learned a lot, & the fruit of our labor was being able to share in the joy our son had upon his return from Baja, Mexico each year.

Which brings me to the Tour.

The idea for the Microphones for World Missions Tour came about one day during prayer time. I was talking with the Lord, expressing to Him my desire to help missionaries raise money for their mission trips. I asked Him for an idea, and BOOM!! This one came to me!

Here's what I'm offering:

- Me performing clean, family friendly Christian stand-up comedy
  for your fundraiser.
- I will performing a set anywhere from 30 minutes to 75 minutes 
  long for one, set price (Just tell me how long you want me to
  perform, that's it!)
- I will donate 40% of all my merchandise sales towards your
  mission trip .
- I will also help market/promote the show online.
- I will also send you a promotional poster that you can print,
  hangup, or hand out to invite people out to the show/fundraiser.

It's up to the missionary to supply the venue. Typically, most use their home church or a local banquet hall.

The missionary would also have to pay for my transportation & supply me with overnight lodging when necessary.

I'm open to doing things with the least amount of expense so we can put as much money as possible towards your mission trip.

This format we can be VERY flexible!

A comedy show works well with other forms of entertainment. You can bring in a Christian band or a local singer, a dance teams, or even have an "open mic" where people can perform for a donation.

It's also easy to incorporate bakes sales, raffles, silent auctions, art shows, live auctions, etc. into the fundraising event.

If you're interested, let me know! We can start working together on this right now!

If you know of someone who is interested, please let ME know about THEM or let THEM know about ME!

I thank you for your time & interest in the Microphones For World Missions Tour.

Please, keep supporting missions!

Yours In Christ & Comedy,
Comedian Eric Johnson
info@EricsComedy.com
419-632-1751