Josh Loudermilk has a unique claim to fame.
If you can call it that.
The Plant City resident served for 12 years as a Methodist pastor. But during his training, the denomination had one concern with Loudermilk at the pulpit.
“I got written up for using too much humor,” Loudermilk said with pride. “I was put on one-year probation, because there were too many people laughing.”
Eventually, though, denomination leaders concluded that Loudermilk’s knack for comedic relief was a God-given talent and one they should allow to blossom.
After several career changes that involved cameo appearances in films such as “The Blind Side” and Tyler Perry’s “Why I Got Married, Too,” Loudermilk returned recently to his roots as a part of a new Christian troupe, Humor 2 Outreach.
H2O, the brainchild of Pete O’Shea, host of “The Pete O’Shea Show” on WTIS 1110 AM, features six comedians — all delivering clean, Grandma-approved performances. In addition to Loudermilk and O’Shea, H2O features Juanita Lolita Williams, Johnny Roberts, Frank Hall (aka SomeguynamedFrank) and Bill “Bull” Ohse.
The troupe has enjoyed immediate success since launching in April, including a performance last week at the Tampa Convention Center for the Tampa Bay Christian Counseling Center. H2O will make its Plant City debut June 22, at Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Plant City.
“We use comedy to open hearts to hear the little message of how God is for you, not against you,” Loudermilk said.
As a fundraising organization, H2O donates half of the money raised at every show to the host organization. More than 1,200 attended H2O’s debut April 26, at Calvary Chapel, and the troupe raised $10,000 for the church’s upcoming mission trip to Washington, D.C.
Money raised at the group’s Plant City performance will benefit EPC’s upcoming Little Lambs International mission trip to Guatemala where missionaries will help build a new home for orphans.
Loudermilk said attendees can expect a night chock full of laughs and entertainment that should please everyone from children to seniors. Each comedian performs in his or her own style. Ohse, a professional comedian who appeared on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” opens the show, followed by Hall, an up-and-coming comedian whose one-liners recall Steven Wright’s unique style. Williams, a professional comedian and self-proclaimed “Hillbilly Puerto Rican,” take the third spot, followed by Loudermilk, who is charged with delivering the faith message. Roberts closes the evening with his “Duck Dynasty”-esque presence. O’Shea serves as the emcee for the evening.
“These people are hilarious,” Loudermilk said. “And for $10 for two hours of entertainment, where you know half goes to a worthy cause — it’s a great deal.”
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
Humor 2 Outreach
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. June 22. Doors at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Plant City, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road, Plant City
TICKETS: $10 in advance; $15 day of show
WEBSITE: h2ohumor.com