Using Humor to Heal Broken Hearts in OK

Moore, OK (June 3, 2013) - David McCullough makes a living by making others smile. The professional clown, known as Korn Pop, was only 12 years old when he realized his calling in life. "I was the class clown and was always getting into some kind of mischief in school," he says. "I wrote a report on the circus. My teacher knew a retired circus clown and introduced him to me. His name was Popcorn, and I wanted to be just like him when I grew up."

When the EF5 tornado touched down in Moore, Oklahoma, McCullough’s pastor at the Rock Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro, Texas, put a call out for volunteers to assist with clean-up efforts. McCullough agreed to go, so long as his pastor would allow him to share a few balloon animals along the way.

“I love Jesus, and I know Jesus has a heart for people. It’s my ministry. It’s how I can show Jesus’ love, by bringing smiles to others,” he says.

McCullough spent the morning clowning around at The Salvation Army’s Distribution Center located in Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads. While he was there he spoke to several children who lost everything during the recent tornadoes across Oklahoma City.

Fifteen-year-old Aaron, who lives next door to Briarwood Elementary School, says he likes to lift weights. That inspired McCullough to tie up a balloon-figure weightlifter, something that the high school sophomore could give a thumbs up to.

Nine-year-old Sterling flew in with family from Georgia to assist a brother who lost his home. She says there isn’t much left of his house, located on 6th Street in Moore.

Five-year-old Jayden couldn’t believe her eyes when Korn Pop asked her to hold a balloon and it popped out of her hands.

“I love The Salvation Army. I love what you guys do," McCullough says. "When winter rolls around I ring bells. I do what I can to help."

For the boy who wrote a school paper about the circus, serving others by clowning around has proved to be the perfect way to share the love Jesus has for others.