VALDOSTA, Ga. – Georgia Christian School welcomed Fox commentator and author Bill O’Reilly to its annual dinner Friday night. 

O’Reilly is best known as the voice of “The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox News. He has also written many bestselling books including “The No Spin Zone,” “A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity” and the “Killing” series, which includes “Killing Lincoln.”

The sold-out dinner hosted more than 400 guests in the Valdosta State University Student Union Ballroom. Funds from the dinner benefit Georgia Christian School. The school is working toward raising the funds for a new facility.

O’Reilly arrived in Valdosta with the no-holds-barred opinions that have made him popular on the airwaves.

The evening was formatted as a question-and-answer segment with Georgia Christian School President Dr. Brad Lawson.

During the private segment, Lawson and O’Reilly discussed the popularity of O’Reilly’s bestsellers along with his thoughts on the current state of American politics.

His stage presence gave the feeling of watching a live edition of “The O’Reilly Factor,” which won over the crowd.

O’Reilly was given a standing ovation as he made his exit. 

Georgia Christian School has become known for hosting several big-name guests through the years including former President George W. Bush, former First Lady Laura Bush and former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.

The annual banquet has become the premier event for the area, said Ryan Warren, a GCS board member, and Lawson. Since booking President Bush two years ago, the school has almost no trouble booking any guest.

Last year, GCS branched out by inviting country star Vince Gill to perform. However, the decision was made to return to a political format as 2016 is an election year. Organizers said O’Reilly seemed like a good fit.

Desiree Carver is Lifestyles Editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 375-5777.