When you think of pregnancy crisis counseling, family planning, or other related topics, you don't usually associate them with laughter. But Monday night, at the annual Sav-A-Life banquet, laughter is the main entree' on the menu, in the form of Christian comedian Dennis Swanberg.

"One of the reason swe decided to go for the fun evening this year and for something different is that these days, families really take a beating," said Sandy Robbins, executive director for Sav-A-Life. "We're in a culture right now that's anti-family and anti-life and we thought it would be a good idea to have a family night and show the good side, a positive thing."

The banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Kiwanis Community Center and tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students from kindergarten to college, and $30 for the entire family. Tickets can be purchased at Christian book stores in Andalusia and in Opp, at some area churches, and from Sav-A-Life board members.

"I think it's going to be a fun evening for the whole family, with light-hearted comedy from Dr. Swanberg, updates on Sav-A-Life, and a time of fellowship for everybody - and good food!"

The annual banquet is the organization's biggest fund-raiser, although they have other, smaller fund-raising projects through churches and other groups throughout the year.

"Really, funding comes from corporate sponsors," said Robbins. "But there will be commitment cards and a basket at the door."

The evening's speaker, Dr. Dennis Swanberg, is often referred to as America's "Minster of Encouragement," delivering a Christian message with a humorous angle - or delivering a humorous message with a Christian angle, depending on your outlook. A native of Texas, his sense of humor has been developing as long as his faith and he has put both to good use, as an ordained minster and as a professional comedian.

Swanberg has a stable of characters he brings out for his act, harking back to his first impression, Barney Fife from the Andy Griffith Show. Other characters are drawn from almost every aspect of popular culture, from Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie to Ross Perot. Besides taking on the easy comedy topics, like Howard Cosell and Bill Clinton, Swanberg also gets friendly chuckles with his impersonation of Billy Graham.

Of course, Swanberg never forgets his first calling - the church - and his speeches, while funny, are also motivational and meangingful