If laughter is truly the best medicine, then Dennis Swanberg, America's "Minister of Encouragement," is just what the doctor ordered. With his own down-home charm and heaping helping of hospitality, this Austin, Texas born pastor-turned-comedian has won the hearts of audiences across the country. Raised in what he calls "a mostly blue-collar, but sometimes ring-around-the-collar" family during the fifties, that old black and white television in the corner of the living room became an important part of making Swanberg the success he is today. "Most moms yell at kids to go outside and play," he remembers with a laugh. "My mom would say, you sit there and watch that television. Your daddy worked hard for it!" Her "encouragement's" paid off. One of the first voices the future impersonator nailed as a child was his television hero, Barney Fife, from The Andy Griffith Show.

Today Swanberg takes Barney Fife and over twenty other lovable impersonations, together with his side-splitting stories of growing up, families and the funny side of church, to over 200,000 people every year. His audiences range from churches looking for new inspiration, to marriage enrichment seminars, businessmen retreats and corporate gatherings. Dennis Swanberg doesn't care who he's talking to, as long as he can leave knowing he made someone's day a little brighter. His nationally broadcast television show, Swan's Place, which is described by its network as "an hour of good, clean fun and entertainment as well as spiritual insight and encouragement," is viewed by over one million households. But even though this good ol' boy's legion of fans is growing daily, The Swan (as he is affectionately called) still loves the one-on-one of meeting people. "I feel like sometimes my kind of encouragement comes from just being personable with people beforehand and afterward," he admits. "Mixing and mingling in a lobby before the show or grabbing a coffee afterward is as important to me as the hour I spend up on stage. "It's just that kind of genuineness that has made several of this pastor-with-a-punchline's audience members remark that "if I lived in your town, I'd come to your church!"

Swanberg first discovered the persuasive powers of his humorous talents while back in high school. An incorrigible class clown since first grade, the student made quick work of his teachers, principal and coaches with his uncanny ability to mimic and impersonate voices and quirks. His antics, along with getting him sent to the principal's office, also quickly got him sent to the stage. Before you could say detention, Dennis found himself the master of ceremonies for his school's annual talent night. That performance started what has been a continuous string of phone calls inviting him to speak and share his unique brand of humor with audiences in churches, retreats, conferences and parties. "I always thought I might end up being a crazy radio DJ," he says, "or one of those funny TV weatherman." God, however, had other plans. While at college Swanberg was also serving as a minister of youth at a local church. His busy schedule, however, did not keep him from still earning the title "the many voices of Baylor" through his continuing performances. It was around that time that Dennis remembers the strong feeling that God was calling him into ministry. "Of course," he remembers with a chuckle, "you think when God calls that he wants you to preach or lead music or go into the mission field. What I've come to realize now is that the Lord can allow you to be a minister in many different ways." One of his heroes, not surprisingly is Grady Nutt, the late Southern Baptist preacher-comedian who brought a country charm and dose of humor to church life via his spot on the popular variety show, HeeHaw. "The first time he performed at our school I said, 'well, Lord, there's hope for me!'"

While serving in various pastorates over the years, including Rogers and Saginaw, Texas, Hot Springs, Arkansas and West Monroe, Louisiana, Dennis still held his "sideline" entertainment profession, but was constantly nagged with the feeling that maybe his stage talents should become his full-time career. The day after making what he calls his "leap of faith" into stepping down from church pastor and stepping up to the microphone, his decision was rewarded with popular radio talk show host Dr. James Dobson playing one of Swanberg's performances on the air. The response was explosive. Calls began pouring in for even more appearances and speaking engagements. Later that month, Swanberg remembers his nervousness before speaking in front of an audience that included Dobson. "I prayed, 'oh Lord, help me do good.' And He said 'Swan, I can take your best stuff and make it fall on deaf ears, or I can take your shallow stuff and make folks think it's really something.' So I said, 'Take my shallow stuff and make them think it's really something!'"

The story is typical of Dennis' ability to take everyday life, with its ups and downs, and turn it into an act that's more than just an act. As a motivational speaker, teacher, preacher, counselor and comedian, Dennis Swanberg knows just what it takes to make life a more pleasant road to journey down—with a laugh or two along the way. His routines regularly include hilarious send-ups of his own family life, both as a child growing up in Texas and as a husband and parent today to his wife, Lauree, and two teenaged sons, Dusty and Chad. Rivaling anyone who's ever set foot on the Tonight Show stage, Swanberg's list of impersonations include Don Knotts, Pat Butram (Mr. Haney of Green Acres), Walter Brennan, Howard Cosell, Muhammed Ali, Ronald Reagan, Billy Graham, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Forrest Gump, Slim Pickins, John Wayne, Ross Perot, Jimmy Stewart, Bert, Ernie, Big Bird and a host of other Sesame Street characters. Add to all that talent a man with a heart of gold, whose biggest joy is seeing others happy, and you'll discover the magic that is Dennis Swanberg.

"I try to bring people laughter, but my point is always that joy is a choice. Happiness is dependent on what happens, but joy is a choice. It takes an act of your will. And it takes dying to yourself and coming alive in the lives of others. I want to encourage people to have courage and be strong and go for it. Do your best and go out there risking. We live in a world where you can afford to fail and try again. I want people to enjoy life. And one way you can enjoy life is by helping other people enjoy life."

Looks like this doctor of encouragement writes his own prescriptions.

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