By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

April Fools Day might have its local humor fulfillment with Clanton’s First Assembly of God special guest and comedian Mike Williams, who is scheduled to deliver a free, family-friendly comedy show beginning at 6 p.m. at the church.

“It’s just a gift to our church and this community,” Pastor Randy Reid said. “It’s something that I think will be a very, very fun evening with the family to end the Easter celebration on.”

Reid described Williams’ comedy routines as “pulling humor” from church life and everyday situational comedy.

“There are a lot of things that we do in church that we’ve become so used to doing that it doesn’t seem funny to us, but it may seem funny to the unchurched,” Reid said.

For example, Reid said, the minister’s instruction to “stand up; take your neighbor’s hand.”

“We know what that means,” Reid said, “but somebody else that comes to visit church may not.”

It is not the first time Williams has provided entertainment at the church, Reid said Williams visited the church about six years ago to deliver his first Easter Sunday entertainment to the congregation.

“We’ve been wanting to have him back, so this was our first chance to get him back on an Easter Sunday night,” Reid said.

Featuring comedians has become a popular church tradition for First Assembly, which Reid initiated as a reward to the congregation for spring outreach.

“We haven’t had one the past couple of years,” Reid said, “but our church loves comedians, and we have had a number of them in.”

Williams has been a favorite — a “tremendous” performer, according to Reid.

“The most talented comedians are those that are good, clean fun that everybody can laugh at,” Reid said. “You don’t have to worry about your kids coming and hearing a comedy routine that’s inappropriate for your wife and children. He’s just very, very talented.”

Reid said Williams is heavily involved in missions around the world and spends much of his comedy routine revenue on supporting them.

“He wants to take a love offering for missions, but obviously it’s strictly on a volunteer basis. Nobody is obligated to do anything,” Reid said.

First Assembly of God is located at 1106 Seventh Street S. in Clanton.