Hectic activity fills the office of the First Baptist Church in Muncie as of late. Terry Harkey has been answering telephone call after telephone call, repeating information about comedian Brad Stine. The church is bringing Stine to Emens Auditorium on March 12 to raise money for the Muncie Mission, and Harkey is one of the volunteers involved.
Stine is a "conservative, very Christian comedian," Harkey said. He has appeared on CNN, Comedy Central and comedy clubs all over the United States. Stine's Web site bills him as "America's conservative comedian" who likes to shatter preconceptions about clean comedians. Although Stine supposedly never utters a curse word, his Web site claims he is "in your face" with "maniac, wild-eye, thought-provoking glee."
Stine is native to Indiana and feels a strong connection to Christian churches, which is one reason First Baptist is bringing him to Emens.
"He's all clean," Harkey said. "No one who brings their family would be embarrassed by any four-letter words."
Coincidentally, the March 12 show will be recorded by Warner Bros. and distributed on CD and DVD sometime this year. Audience members will have the chance of appearing on the DVD. According to Harkey, the Emens show may also be used on television shows. He said Stine is in the running for his own sitcom.
In addition, NBC Nightly News will send a video crew to Muncie the night of the concert as part of a news story they are doing on Stine for a series on faith and religion.
Aside from being a comedian, Stine is also a writer and a magician. He began his career by blending comedy and magic before realizing he wanted to concentrate on sending a message through humor. His book, "Being a Christian Without Being an Idiot: Ten Assumed Truths That Make Us Look Stupid," dares Christians to change lifestyles that give the world a negative perspective on Christianity. According to the promotional Web site, he asks Christians to "examine themselves before judging others."
The First Baptist Church is donating all profits from Stine's concert to the Muncie Mission. The mission is a short-term emergency shelter for men. It provides food, shelter, showers and clothing to men in need while trying to complete its mission of "a long term, life changing men's recovery, teaching-training rescue program," according to the mission's Web site.
Tickets for the show are $15 in advance and at the door. They can also be purchased online through ticketmaster. Groups of 10 or more can buy tickets for $12 at Emens' box office.
Senior Pastor William "Woody" Noblitt is excited to get the word out about Stine's arrival.
"This guy is funny, especially to Christian believers or seekers and conservative types, but he is respectful of all persons, because that is the Christian lifestyle," he said.
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