For the past 31 years, Christian comedian Chonda Pierce has been providing audiences with uplifting entertainment designed to keep them on the edge of their seat and always looking to Christ.
As the “Queen of Clean,” Pierce’s newest project — “Roll With It,” which released on DVD and digital June 25 — is designed to provide audiences with a family-friendly and faith-based film that teaches valuable lessons and is packed with laughs.
The storyline focuses on God’s faithfulness and hope in the midst of life’s challenges as the main character in the movie, Bonnie Taylor, played by Pierce, adjusts to life as a single mother after the loss of her husband. If laughter is the best medicine, Taylor desperately needs a dose or two.
Pierce’s character is dealing with an unexpected demotion at her job and the troubling news that her house will be on the auction block if she can’t come up with $20,000 in back taxes by the end of the month.
It seems all hope is lost — or is it?
Labor of love
Pierce said the movie, which was the last project she wrote with her husband before his death, was a labor of love and designed to offer hope and inspiration to audiences.
“I’m just excited that the movie can get into people’s hands and into their homes,” Pierce said. “It really is about those fun, country towns and a woman who just needed some hope.
“The best thing about the movie is the storyline that came out of it about faithfulness and hope. People need to be reminded there’s always hope and to never give up.”
Pierce added, “Bonnie, the character in the movie, was probably on the brink of giving up and frustrated with God because everything went wrong, but with all good, happy endings, it all panned out.”
As life imitates art, Pierce has found a therapeutic outlet as she uses her platform to share her own personal struggles while touring in churches and venues across the country. In 2014, Pierce’s husband died following a battle with alcoholism, and Pierce found herself facing tough challenges and dark days.
While opening up about these struggles with honesty and vulnerability, Pierce has received overwhelming support and encouragement as she desires to connect audiences to the true source of hope and joy found through a relationship with Christ.
‘Humor could be dangerous’
In addition to her comedy, Pierce founded Branches Recovery Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which offers counseling and treatment for those battling depression, anxiety and addiction, regardless of their ability to pay.
She also is involved in missions work and partners with international relief organizations such as Compassion International, Feed the Children, World Vision and Food for the Hungry.
“Let’s be honest, there comes a time in your life when humor could be dangerous because you can use it as a great deflection, and you won’t get to the root of your pain and what’s going on in your life,” Pierce admitted. “You have to know it’s OK to feel what you are feeling.”
She continued, “I think for a while, as Christians, we used to say, ‘Come to know Jesus and everything is going to be perfect, and if it’s not, you have to keep a stiff upper lip and smile.’ That’s not true either. The truth is, God created every single one of our emotions, and we have to learn how to use them at the right time and in the right amount and in the appropriate way.
“The Bible says in your anger do not sin,” she said. “The Bible also says there is a time for laughter, there’s a time for seriousness — so it’s learning and discerning what emotion fits, and sometimes that takes help. You might need a counselor or doctor to help you see that you are using comedy to deflect how you really feel. To be honest, I have done that in my 31 years of doing this.”
Saving grace
Pierce admitted she sometimes used humor as a saving grace or to deflect what was going on in her life.
“About 15–20 years ago, I quit doing that and have enjoyed my career more as a result and have enjoyed getting to laugh,” she noted. “I’ve also been at a place where I take off the laugh hat and go, ‘OK, today was a tough day. I got triggered today, or I miss my husband. I miss my mother.’ When I talk honestly with the crowd, I think that’s why I’ve been successful. My favorite quote in the world is from Lucille Ball who said, ‘I am not funny, but what I am is brave.’”
Armed with a new perspective and finding her strength in the Lord, Pierce hopes to encourage others who face difficult situations.
“I do believe when it’s all said and done, I’m doing exactly what I was called to do, and God used every aspect of my life — even the tough stuff — God has used it all, and I’m very grateful for that.”
