America's Minister of Encouragement Speaks to MC Audience

Dennis Swanberg

A Texas-born pastor-turned comedian, Dennis Swanberg will take his message to a Mississippi College student/parent convocation on August 21.

Dubbed America’s “Minister of Encouragement,” Swanberg will also serve up hilarious impressions of famed TV sheriff Barney Fife of Mayberry and presidents like Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. Movie legends like John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Walter Brennan usually get equal time in his lineup of favorite impressions. The event that Saturday begins at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Clinton.

During his speech in Clinton, look for “The Swan” to mix his funny stories  with sage words of advice to hundreds of new Mississippi College students and their parents. “I try to bring people laughter, but my advice to them is always that joy is a choice,” he says.

Swanberg, and his wife, Lauree, have strong ties to Mississippi College. The motivational speaker is a roving good-will ambassador for the MC Choctaws for good reason. His oldest son, Chad Swanberg, is a May 2005 MC graduate who’s worked as director of ministry operations at Swanberg Christian Ministries in West Monroe, La. His youngest son, Dusty Swanberg, is a December 2008 MC graduate.

The speech in late August is a repeat performance for the beloved Minister of Encouragement. He spoke at the fall 2008 convocation at First Baptist Church Clinton as MC freshmen and their parents got their funny bones tickled.  Swanberg also was the guest speaker at the Christian university’s May 2009 commencement. His latest appearance should encourage MC students as they prepare to begin fall classes August 25.

This year, Swanberg will appear at over 150 churches, conferences, businesses and concert events. He’s authored eight books, including a recent publication on men’s ministry. A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas with a master’s in divinity and doctorate of divinity, he served as a pastor at various churches, including First Baptist Church in West Monroe.