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C.C.A. BOARD MEMBERS

Meet The CCA Board

Jason Earls

PRESIDENT

Dallas, TX

Uses comedy for: Church Events, Spreading the Gospel, Fundraising events, Outreach

BIO

The comedian from Virginia’s Eastern Seaboard doesn’t live to make you laugh; he makes you laugh to help you live.

A husband and the father of six children, Jason’s got a thing or two to say about how to navigate life. His warm personality and impeccable comedic timing has made him a favorite at comedy clubs, churches, businesses, and in front of students and members of the Armed Forces.

Jason is a nontoxic comic: You can trust him to deliver without the offensive turn or twist.

Once voted Seattle’s Favorite Comedian, Jason has also been featured on Focus On The Family’s Date Night Challenge, Trinity Broadcast Network, and the Date Night Comedy Tour. In addition, he was named ITM Live’s Best Comedian. He has been sought after to produce content for marriage and family events which has earned him the title, “Comedy Familiologist,” pointing back to his desire to connect with audiences from all walks of life.

Jason has performed throughout the country and abroad, and when he’s not on stage, he's most likely with his wife, Terri, at one of their amazing kid's ridiculous sports events in his home city of Dallas, Texas.

Former Role: Vice-President

www.seriouscomedy.org

Marty Simpson

VICE PRESIDENT & WEBMASTER

Columbia, SC

Uses comedy for: #1 - To make people laugh! Church Comedy Nights, Outreach, Fundraising, Volunteer Appreciation, Corporate Functions, Comedy Club Shows.

CCA EXPERIENCE

I first attended the conference in 2009 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The last night had an insane number of people who signed up for open mics so there were three classrooms held simultaneously. In that basement room were some of my NOW best friends. I met them all in that room.

CCA has meant the world to me. Without it my career would have no focus or direction. I would have wandered aimlessly just writing jokes and hoping for the best. CCA is to comics, what a summer camp excursion was to youth group! It is the spiritual and fellowship "high" that we get from it that lasts us through the year, especially during the down times!

BIO

Marty has toured all over the country doing comedy and worked with the likes of Dennis Miller, Last Comic Standing winners Jon Reep and John Hefron, Recently was named Festival Favorite at the prestigious Big Pine Comedy Festival in Flagstaff Arizona, was a finalist on the TV Show Trial By Laughter, and also taped a show for B.E.T. and his comedy has appeared on ESPN's College Gameday. He's a former All-American Football player and coach, from South Carolina.

www.martysimpson.com

Gordon Douglas

BOARD MEMBER & Chaplain

Philadelphia, PA

Uses comedy for: Half of my events are HILARITY FOR CHARITY fundraising events, the other half are for churches and ministries where I seek to Encourage the Weary, Equip the Saints, and Evangelize the lost.

CCA EXPERIENCE

I came to the very first CCA conference at the Funny Farm in 2001, seeking some friendship, confirming that God can use me (and comedy) as I struggled with my calling and gifting. And I had desire to do what I do better. I have made friendships that have stood the test of time. I have grown, vastly improving what I do, and how I do it, and am thrilled to watch the CCA grow as well. "Excellence in Craft, Relevance of Message, and Holiness in Character" were the three pillars we started with.

www.gordondouglasisfunny.com

Rik Roberts

BOARD MEMBER

Nashville, TN

Uses comedy for: Corporate events, Fundraising events, Outreach

CCA EXPERIENCE

In 2008, Chonda Pierce invited to me to attend the conference in Murfreesboro, TN to teach stand-up comedy writing techniques to members of the CCA. She was clear that she wanted Christian comedians to develop their craft to the level of their counterparts in clubs. Many of the comedians were not only “on the same level” as the club comics, some were steps beyond. I witnessed the love and support that I had never seen among secular comedians. From that day on I was hooked!

As part of the CCA I have attended every conference since, and served as VP under Kenn Kington in 2015-2016, before serving as president for 2017-2018.

Former Role: President, Vice President

www.rikroberts.com

Cecile Kaiser

BOARD MEMBER & Secretary

Northern California

CCA EXPERIENCE

I was one of the original members of the CCA, meeting at Chonda's Funny Farm in 2002. I remember, sitting on the plane on the way to Nashville thinking, "What in the world am I doing?" I arrived and met such incredible people, it was wonderful! To find other people like me was such a blessing (and relief). We all had the same goal: Use comedy to reach others for Christ.

The two things I appreciate most about CCA is that everything revolves around Christ, encouraging your walk and ministry. The other, people are always there to help others.

www.cecilekaiser.com

Leland Klassen

BOARD MEMBER

Abbotsford, BC, Canada

Uses comedy for: Outreach and Corporate shows

CCA EXPERIENCE

The first CCA conference I attended was many years ago, I believe it was 2002. At that first conference, I found many comics whom I connected with. Before that, I had Christian friends who didn't understand comedy and comedy friends who didn't understand Christianity. This was the first time I found people who understood both worlds and were just as passionate as I was about both. Most of my closest friends today are guys that I met at that first conference and subsequent CCA conferences since.

www.lelandklassen.com

Dan Rupple

Honorary Chairman of the CCA

Orange County, CA

Uses comedy for: Currently Dan is the CEO of Mastermedia International, a Christian organization that connects with the leading media executives world-wide on behalf of the Christian community.

CCA EXPERIENCE

I was in my office in the spring of 2002 when I got a call from Chonda Pierce – who I had never met. She told me that they were hosting a gathering of about 30 comedians at her “Funny Farm” outside of Nashville and asked if I would come and share with them. That initial gathering was such an amazing time of fellowship and connection that we decided to continue as a formal association. I was then asked if I would be the first president, to which I served happily for several years during the CCA’s formation.

Former Role: President, Vice-President

www.danrupple.com

Martha Bolton

Advisory Board Member

Nashville, TN

Uses comedy for: Promoting comedy and humor as a lifestyle through books, scripts, musicals, speaking, and more. Personal Motto: Life's hard, God's good, and laughter is calorie-free.

CCA EXPERIENCE

I've been a member of CCA since the beginning when we first met at Chonda Pierce's The Funny Farm. The CCA balances spiritual encouragement with growth of craft and professionalism. To attend a conference always feels like coming home to a family of very funny friends who lift you up, while providing tools to build on your God-given sense of humor and to challenge you to never lose sight of your mission.

www.marthabolton.com

David Pendleton

BOARD MEMBER

Fishers, IN

Uses comedy for: Outreach, Fundraising and Corporate events

CCA EXPERIENCE

My first CCA conference was in 2003. I had attended the International Ventriloquist Convention annually and been connected to the ventriloquist community since I was 13 years old, but when I attended the CCA conference I knew that I had found "my people". There is something very special about the Christian Comedy community, and where I have found some of my closest friends in life.

To me, the CCA is a place where I have found true fellowship with a group of people that are not only committed to excellence in the craft of comedy, but who desire to use their gifts and talents to the glory of God. These are people who inspire me both professionally and spiritually to know Jesus and to make Him known on every stage.

Former Role: President, Vice-President

www.anythingcantalk.com

Kay Dekalb Smith

BOARD MEMBER

Nashville, TN

Uses comedy for: Women’s & Senior Adult Events, Retreats, Conferences

CCA EXPERIENCE

I was a part of the very first CCA gathering at Chonda’s Pierce’s “Funny Farm.” I’ll never forget coming home and crying, trying to explain to my husband, the connectedness I felt to the other funny people. I was hooked, and have been to all but one every CCA Conference since.

My role as “Chaplain to Female Comedians” has allowed me to do seminars educating other humorous ladies. It has been a joy to share my ups and downs on the roller coaster of Christian Comedy. I have made Godly friends that my life never would have intersected with otherwise.

www.kaydekalbsmith.com