Frequently Asked Questions

What is Welcome to the Fellowship Challenge?

The Laff House Presents: Welcome to the Fellowship Challenge is a national Christian comedy competition created to discover, develop, and elevate gifted Christian comedians while bringing faith, fellowship, and clean comedy together.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must:

Be at least 21 years old.
Be an active member of a church.
Reside in the United States.
Perform comedy in English.
Submit Christian, clean-comedy material.
Agree to follow the Official Rules.
Be available to participate in the competition if selected.

Do I have to be a professional comedian?

No. Both emerging and experienced Christian comedians are encouraged to apply, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.

Do I have to be an active member of a church?

Yes. Every applicant must be an active member of a church. Applicants will be asked to provide information about their church and church involvement.

Can I apply if I live outside Philadelphia?

Yes. This is a national competition, and eligible Christian comedians may apply from anywhere within the United States.

How do I apply?

Applicants must:

Complete the official online application.
Submit an accessible link to their audition video.
Upload a professional headshot.
Accept the required agreements and Official Rules.
Pay the $25 non-refundable registration fee.

The application, audition video, required agreements, and payment must be received by the official deadline.

How much does it cost to apply?

A $25 non-refundable registration fee is required when submitting your application.

Does paying the $25 registration fee automatically enter me into the competition?

No. Paying the registration fee allows your application and audition video to be reviewed, but it does not automatically enter you into the competition or guarantee selection.

Only 12 applicants will be selected as official contestants.

Is the registration fee refundable?

No. The $25 registration fee is non-refundable, including if an applicant is not selected, withdraws, misses a deadline, becomes ineligible, or is disqualified.

How long can my audition video be?

Your audition video may not exceed 10 minutes.

What should my audition video include?

The video must clearly show you performing your comedy material. The performance must be in English and must follow the competition’s Christian and clean-comedy standards.

Can I submit material that I have performed or posted before?

Yes. Previously performed or previously posted comedy material may be submitted, provided the applicant has the right to use it and it meets all competition requirements.

Can my performance include profanity or inappropriate material?

No. Cursing, profanity, foul language, obscenity, sexually explicit material, or other inappropriate content is prohibited. Material that violates the Official Rules may result in disqualification.

When is the application deadline?

Applications, audition videos, required agreements, and registration payments must be submitted by October 28, 2026.

Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.

How many applicants will be selected?

Twelve applicants will be invited to become official contestants.

Who will review the applications?

Eligible applications and audition videos will be reviewed by Mr. Rod and Jacqueline “Shine Lite” Hoskie.

When will applicants be notified?

All applicants will be notified by email within three weeks after the application deadline regarding whether they have been selected to move forward as one of the 12 official contestants.

Applicants are responsible for providing a valid email address and checking their inbox, spam, and junk folders.

What will selected contestants receive?

Selected contestants will receive an official acceptance email containing instructions, requirements, important deadlines, and the rules governing the next phase of the competition.

Contestants may be required to confirm their acceptance by a stated deadline. Failure to respond on time may result in the opportunity being offered to another eligible applicant.

What happens if a selected contestant withdraws?

If a selected contestant withdraws, becomes ineligible, or fails to meet the competition requirements, another eligible applicant may be invited to participate.

How will contestants advance?

Contestants will advance through performances, professional judging, and verified audience voting.

Competition results will be calculated using:

60% judges’ scores
40% audience votes

Audience voting alone will not determine the final results.

What happens if contestants are tied?

If a tie affects advancement, elimination, or final placement, the tied contestants will participate in a 10-minute comedy slam.

Additional instructions for the comedy slam will be provided to the affected contestants.

What opportunity will the four finalists receive?

The four finalists will be given the opportunity to perform live as part of the official Welcome to the Fellowship Christian Comedy Show.

Finalists may also be considered for future live touring opportunities. Touring opportunities are not guaranteed and may depend on scheduling, availability, agreements, performance requirements, and other production considerations.

What will the winner receive?

The winner will receive the opportunity to perform a live one-person comedy show that will be professionally taped on a Laff Out Loud stage.

The production date, location, performance requirements, recording arrangements, and related details will be provided to the winner in writing.

Are travel expenses included?

Unless otherwise provided in writing, applicants and contestants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, meals, local transportation, and personal expenses associated with participating in the competition or attending a live event.

Does becoming a finalist guarantee a tour?

No. The four finalists may be considered for live touring opportunities, but a tour is not guaranteed.

Will contestants be photographed or recorded?

Yes. Competition activities and live performances may be photographed, filmed, recorded, livestreamed, or otherwise documented for promotional, publicity, entertainment, and production purposes.

Applicants must review and accept the required filming and promotional release as part of the application process.

When does audience voting begin?

Voting dates, times, instructions, and approved voting methods will be announced after the 12 official contestants have been selected.

Voting will not open until officially announced by the Welcome to the Fellowship Challenge team.

Can someone vote more than once?

Voting limits and verification requirements will be explained when voting opens. Duplicate, automated, fraudulent, manipulated, or otherwise improper voting may be rejected.

How will I know if my application was received?

After successfully submitting the application and payment, applicants should receive an on-screen confirmation and an automatic confirmation email.

This confirmation only verifies that the application was received. It is not an acceptance into the competition.

What if I have trouble submitting my application or video link?

Use the official contact form and select “Application Assistance,” “Payment Assistance,” or “Video Submission Assistance.”

Applicants should request help before the deadline. A technical problem reported after the deadline may not qualify an applicant for an extension.

Where can I read the complete contest rules?

The complete Official Master Rules will be available on the Official Rules page of the Welcome to the Fellowship Challenge website.

Every applicant should read the complete rules before applying. If there is a difference between this FAQ and the Official Master Rules, the Official Master Rules will control.