Contributor

Rev. Susan Sparks

Lawyer, Pastor, Standup Comedian, Author, Harley rider and Cowboy Boot Addict

A trial lawyer, turned standup comedian and Baptist minister, Rev. Susan Sparks is America’s only female comedian with a pulpit. After ten years as a lawyer moonlighting as a standup, she left her practice and spent two years on a solo trip around the world, including working with Mother Teresa’s mission in Calcutta, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and driving the Alaska Highway. Upon returning home, she entered Union Theological Seminary in New York City where she earned a Master of Divinity and wrote an honors thesis on humor and religion. Currently, the Senior Pastor of the historic Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City (and the first woman in its 165 year history), Susan has been featured in O (The Oprah Magazine), The New York Times, on CBS The Early Show, ABC and CNN, and in numerous comedy clubs, including Carolines in New York City. Her book, Laugh Your Way to Grace: Reclaiming the Spiritual Power of Humor, was named one of the best spirituality books of 2010 and has sold close to 20,000 copies.