Teddy James

AFA Journal staff writer

February 2013 – Mike Atkinson has spent the last 17 years sending clean, humorous emails daily. It started in 1995 when he worked at Youth Specialties, a ministry that develops resources for youth ministers. When he came across funny clean jokes, he would forward them to his network of youth pastors. They found them useful in their teaching or newsletters and asked Atkinson to send more. In 1996, Mikey’s Funnies became a free email resource of YS.

In 2004, Atkinson left YS and was allowed to keep his email list. Since then, Mikey’s Funnies has grown, and he has still kept it free of charge. 

“We hear regularly from pastors of small churches, missionaries and military chaplains using our jokes,” he said. “Shut-ins also contact us from time to time. Many are widows or widowers who need something to laugh at each day. I feel blessed to deliver that.”

But seriously, folks
But Mikey’s Funnies isn’t all about the laughs. Atkinson said, “One thing that sets this apart is that often we send out ‘funnies’ that are not so much humorous as they are inspirational or spiritually encouraging.”

Atkinson’s family also saw many changes when the father of eight released his second child, Brian, to the Marine Corps. He said, “Brian was inspired to join the Marines after 9/11, and I learned as much as I could about the journey we were all on. I came across Marine Moms Online, also for dads, and they helped my wife and me through the early years.”

Through his son’s dedication and his family’s sacrifice, God led Atkinson to a new form of ministry, and he brought his email list along for the ride. 

After they witnessed a group visiting sick and injured Marine recruits in San Diego, California, where they live, the Atkinsons decided to get involved. They made their first visit Christmas morning, 2002.

Now when they visit, they bring baked goods and their cell phones for the recruits to call home. They also bring greetings and messages of encouragement from Mikey’s Funnies readers. 

Several years ago, Atkinson wanted to include his readers in his efforts to encourage the troops. He asked schools, Sunday School classes and churches to write encouraging notes to the soldiers. Readers sent their letters in and the Atkinson family hand delivered each one to Marine recruits in the medical bay.

Atkinson urges everyone to write letters to the troops during Christmas and Easter seasons.

This tradition has been going on for 10 years. Atkinson said he does it for one simple reason: “Many people say they support the troops, and this is an easy and tangible way to do it.”  

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Address letters to Atkinson for the Marine recruits:
Marine Moms
Online Holiday Project
C/O Sue Denessen
7982 Linda Vista Rd #62
San Diego, CA 92111-5162