Singings and revival services are usual events in the church but can there be such a thing as comedy night the church?

Pastor Pugh Hopper, said, “Yes, there can be.”

The Prophet Nehemiah said, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” and the pastor said, “amen” to that.

Pastor Pugh Hopper, a.k.a. the Rev. Ed Shirley of Brundidge United Methodist Church,

will present, “Comedy Night in the Church,” Saturday, Sept. 27 at BUCM and everyone is invited.

“The Lord has given His people ways to cope with life and laughter sure helps,” said Shirley, who has made quite a name for himself since he arrived in Brundidge about a year ago.

Shirley is a man of many faces. Sometimes he’s John Wesley; sometimes he’s Johnny Cash; sometimes Francis Scott Key, sometimes Elvis and sometimes Pastor Pugh Hopper.

Shirley uses his unique ability to impersonate biblical and historical figures, primarily, but, every now and then, he pulls a rabbit out of the hat with characters like the crazy clergyman Pastor Pugh Hopper and Cajun Comedian Boudreaux.

And, that’s what he’ll do Sept. 27 when he presents “Comedy Night in the Church.” The show will begin a 7 p.m. and will include the singing of the familiar meetinghouse songs that get hands clapping and toes tapping.

Both the pastor and the ragin’ Cajun are Shirley’s creations.

“Pastor Pugh Hopper is arrogant and ignorant and he thinks he’s the greatest preacher ever,” Shirley said.

“The pastor will preach up a storm and he’s also written a couple of songs, ‘Are You Gonna Fly or Are You Gonna Fry’ and ‘Leave Those Sinners Behind.’”

Hopper’s songs are not in the Methodist hymnal but the pastor thinks they should to be.

Boudreaux surfaced many years ago after Shirley’s seminary days in New Orleans.

“I’m a fan of Louisiana chef and comedian Justin Wilson,” Shirley said. “I served a couple of churches with Cajuns in the congregation. I took the Cajun jokes and cleaned them up and the Holy Spirit helped me come up with The Cajun Gospel. It’s the plan of salvation told the Cajun Way.”

There will be no admission to “Comedy Night in the Church” but a love offering will be taken in support of the church’s building fund.

“The cornerstone of Brundidge United Methodist Church reads 1919,” Shirley said. “The church was built on the Akron plan and its architecture is greatly admired. Comedy Night is an opportunity to come and enjoy a time of fellowship together and an opportunity for those who have not visited our church before to enjoy the beauty of this historic church.”