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From Pain to Punchlines with Mike Williams
Mike Williams: From Pain to Punchlines — A Comedian’s Testimony of Faith, Forgiveness & Calling | Code Red Podcast
Christian comedian and evangelist Mike Williams sits down with Pastor Zach Terry to share a raw, redemptive story: a violent home, a providential adoption (thanks to a mailman named Harry), a salvation moment in a ’67 Chevy Impala, and how laughter became survival—then ministry. We dig into the “math” of comedy, clean vs. edgy scenes, Dry Bar, why many comics battle depression, and how the gospel reframes pain into purpose.
What you’ll hear:
A powerful adoption & salvation story
How abuse, addiction, and chaos shaped a calling
The craft of comedy: long setups, big payoffs
Clean comedy’s rise & serving the Church with humor
Forgiveness, Romans 8:28, and healing over time
Practical ministry: CUPS Mission, books, & marriage events
Chapters:
00:00 – Cold open: “Keep him singing, keep him laughing”
00:39 – Intro: Who Mike Williams is & why he matters
03:25 – Chicago roots: Loss, violence, adoption begins
07:54 – Harry the mailman: A providential path to a Baptist home
12:43 – ’67 Impala: Mike’s salvation story on the side of the road
14:27 – Shattered world: Injuries, corruption, and fleeing to Gary, IN
18:11 – Addiction & abuse: When laughter becomes survival
26:17 – Humor & hope: “Tragedy + time” and Romans 8:28
35:57 – Calling confirmed: First gigs, Daytona breakout (Casting Crowns/Jessica Simpson)
43:12 – The comedy “math”: Long setup → huge payoff
58:16 – Why comics hurt: Stage as “the drug,” and learning forgiveness
01:14:51 – Next steps: Book Mike, CUPS Mission, and his books
About Mike
Booking: MikeWilliamsComedy.com
Missions: CUPS Mission (Dominican Republic, Malawi, Mexico City)
Books mentioned: Holding Someday, Kidnapped, If Men Are from Mars… How Can I Live Happily with This Alien? (marriage)
Like • Comment • Subscribe
If this conversation encouraged you, hit the like button, drop a comment to let us know your favorite moment, and don’t forget to subscribe + turn on notifications so you never miss a Code Red episode!
Code Red is Produced by Maximum Life Studios
DONATE- https://www.convergepay.com/hosted-payments/?ssl_txn_auth_token=EKHq4QO6SZGVA7Zxk5ER6QAAAXff8OZu#!/payment-method
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maximumlifewithzachterry
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zachterry
Website http://www.zachterry.org
Twitter https://twitter.com/zachterry
View all episodes
By Zach Terry
5
77 ratings
Mike Williams: From Pain to Punchlines — A Comedian’s Testimony of Faith, Forgiveness & Calling | Code Red Podcast
Christian comedian and evangelist Mike Williams sits down with Pastor Zach Terry to share a raw, redemptive story: a violent home, a providential adoption (thanks to a mailman named Harry), a salvation moment in a ’67 Chevy Impala, and how laughter became survival—then ministry. We dig into the “math” of comedy, clean vs. edgy scenes, Dry Bar, why many comics battle depression, and how the gospel reframes pain into purpose.
What you’ll hear:
A powerful adoption & salvation story
How abuse, addiction, and chaos shaped a calling
The craft of comedy: long setups, big payoffs
Clean comedy’s rise & serving the Church with humor
Forgiveness, Romans 8:28, and healing over time
Practical ministry: CUPS Mission, books, & marriage events
Chapters:
00:00 – Cold open: “Keep him singing, keep him laughing”
00:39 – Intro: Who Mike Williams is & why he matters
03:25 – Chicago roots: Loss, violence, adoption begins
07:54 – Harry the mailman: A providential path to a Baptist home
12:43 – ’67 Impala: Mike’s salvation story on the side of the road
14:27 – Shattered world: Injuries, corruption, and fleeing to Gary, IN
18:11 – Addiction & abuse: When laughter becomes survival
26:17 – Humor & hope: “Tragedy + time” and Romans 8:28
35:57 – Calling confirmed: First gigs, Daytona breakout (Casting Crowns/Jessica Simpson)
43:12 – The comedy “math”: Long setup → huge payoff
58:16 – Why comics hurt: Stage as “the drug,” and learning forgiveness
01:14:51 – Next steps: Book Mike, CUPS Mission, and his books
About Mike
Booking: MikeWilliamsComedy.com
Missions: CUPS Mission (Dominican Republic, Malawi, Mexico City)
Books mentioned: Holding Someday, Kidnapped, If Men Are from Mars… How Can I Live Happily with This Alien? (marriage)
Like • Comment • Subscribe
If this conversation encouraged you, hit the like button, drop a comment to let us know your favorite moment, and don’t forget to subscribe + turn on notifications so you never miss a Code Red episode!
Code Red is Produced by Maximum Life Studios
DONATE- https://www.convergepay.com/hosted-payments/?ssl_txn_auth_token=EKHq4QO6SZGVA7Zxk5ER6QAAAXff8OZu#!/payment-method
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maximumlifewithzachterry
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zachterry
Website http://www.zachterry.org
Twitter https://twitter.com/zachterry
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