Taking time to laugh
Comedian Tim Hawkins visits Liberty to ease students’ mid-semester blues
Amid applause and cheers, comedian Tim Hawkins walked onto the stage and lifted Senior Vice President for Spiritual Development David Nasser off his feet for an exaggerated hug to start his routine at a Liberty University Convocation Oct. 5.
Pose — Hawkins performed a humorous Convocation. Photo credit: Michela Diddle
Though Hawkins is a Christian comedian, it did not mean he shied from controversial subjects or was dull. Hawkins used everything from homeschoolers to hand raising to Nasser’s skinny jeans as fodder for his humor.
Dan Bolton, director of spiritual programs at Liberty, said that Hawkins was a popular choice for students who recommended speakers on Liberty’s website.
“A lot of students had asked for Tim Hawkins, and we have had a lot of good feedback,” Bolton said. “He has been by far one of the most popular choices we have had for this semester.”
According to Bolton, Hawkins’ appearance amid speakers such as presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, International Mission Board President David Platt and Fox News Channel host Gretchen Carlson was different but still impactful.
“(In) Convocation, you think, you learn, you listen but also you laugh,” Bolton said. “One of the ways we can stop, reflect and glorify God is just to laugh (…) and (enjoy) humor.”
Hawkins, who preforms over 100 sold-out shows each year according to timhawkins.net, said that he believed it is OK to have fun and laugh as he danced and acted out parts of his routine.
“God wants us to enjoy our lives,” Hawkins said. “He ain’t no buzzkill y’all. (God) isn’t sitting up above going after people who are having fun.”
Pulling material from church, sports, pop culture and even making fun of laughter, Hawkins’ broad range of topics appealed to the crowd.
“Everybody around me was laughing at some point,” junior Amy Moser said. “Everybody’s all stressed out and he was just making us laugh. That was just my favorite part, just laughing
at everything.”
While booking Hawkins for Convocation, Bolton said that Hawkins was “really excited” to come and speak to Liberty students.
For Hawkins, who lives in Missouri with his wife and four children, Liberty was a stop on the way to a show at a women’s conference in Roanoke, Virginia.
Bolton said that Hawkins was able to let people laugh during an important time in the semester.
“We brought him in because we’re at that six, seven week mark right before fall break, and everybody is just worn out already,” Bolton said. “We wanted it to be a time where students could just relax and recuperate from the past weeks.”
And laugh they did. After impressions, singing atheist worship songs on his matte black guitar and poking fun at numerous states, Hawkins ended his time with a ‘God Bless the USA’ parody about Chick-fil-A. Students took out their smartphones and waved them to the music as Hawkins wrapped up.
“I felt so much love today, and I love you guys,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins then hugged and picked up Nasser again before he walked off the stage.
STEPTOE is a news reporter.