Kay DeKalb Smith is an interesting character.

By the way, I am writing this prior to her visit to Hartselle Tuesday night. So I can only go from my phone conversations, emails and text messages that I’ve shared with Kay.

In my phone conversation with her, it’s hard not to feel good after talking with her. You’re going to laugh quite a bit, whether she’s cracking jokes or telling unbelievably funny stories. Even though she may be an entertainer, comedian and a singer, she’s just as much of a minister as your pastor on Sunday morning.

“No, I never could have imagined what has transpired in my life,” she said. “In fact, when I was a small child, there were no such opportunities for women. And the eventual ministry path in which I landed, evolved as I grew up. I began singing for youth events, then participated in Singles ministry events, and now am enjoying Women’s Ministry and Senior Adult Ministry.”

Her big break may have come after being named Miss Alabama Teenager and she was invited to speak at a Billy Graham Crusade.

“That was real miraculous for me, because two years prior to being on the Crusade, I had gone on a Mission trip to England, and after witnessing the spiritually bankrupt nation of Great Britain, I committed to God to ‘telling the whole world about Jesus!’ There was no way I could have known two years later, I would be “Miss Alabama Teenager” and would be asked to share my testimony and sing on a telecast that was broadcast around the world. God had answered my prayers, my faith was bolstered and I honestly experienced firsthand what the Bible says, ‘All things are possible through Christ!’”

While she enjoys making people laugh, she also knows that there’s a greater reason behind that laughter.

“I often say, ‘Laughter is my tool to reach the heart,’” she said. “Humor is the great ‘wall breaker.’ It puts people at ease. It prepares the heart for the Gospel of Christ. I watch it happen in every concert and am always amazed to see God work through humor.”

I know there’s no one else like Kay, but just because we’re not doesn’t mean that we don’t have a job to do. It doesn’t mean that we can’t reach people.

We have to reach out and help those in the way that we know how to help people. If we do that, we will be closer to truly living out the Great Commission.

 Brent Maze is the managing editor of the Hartselle Enquirer.