Guatemala Festival with Luis Palau spanned March 4-14, 2009, and today the nation stands changed.
From Luis’ private meetings with President Colom and his Cabinet, on through mayors and military officers, and of course hundreds of thousands of citizens attending the festival March 13-14, all of Guatemala was reached with the Good News and love of Jesus Christ!
(Guatemala City, Guatemala) On the heels of a 10-day, region-wide evangelistic campaign that brought international evangelist Luis Palau face-to-face with Guatemala’s top leadership, the two-day Guatemala Festival at Parque de la Democracia (March 13-14) proved just as historic—reaching hundreds of thousands of individuals with a clear Gospel presentation.
Guatemala’s president, first lady, vice president, and three ministers of state all attended the festival, a first in the history of Palau festivals. President Alvaro Colom addressed the crowd from the main stage, sharing his feelings toward evangelicals in Guatemala and his appreciation toward Palau and his team.
Known as one of the most evangelical nations in the Spanish-speaking world, 3,200 Guatemalan churches invited Palau and his team to hold this historic campaign—incorporating the largest community service initiative the nation has ever seen, with more than 25 exclusive outreach events.
Included in the campaign were several private meetings with the president and his Cabinet, gatherings with the Supreme Court, military leadership, police cadets, lawyers, judges, doctors, mayors, and other top-level dignitaries. Local leadership included Dr. Luis Fernando Solares, Reverend Danilo Pérez, president of the Evangelical Alliance of Guatemala, hundreds of local pastors, and more than 25,000 trained volunteers.
In addition, the Palau Association’s Season of Service model for community outreach helped mobilize tens of thousands of individuals for a month-long community service effort. Working together to meet the needs of the area, these volunteers offered free medical and dental care to more than 8,500 individuals, helped clean up local neighbourhoods and schools, and provided meals for more than 40,000 underprivileged children.
Commenting on the campaign, Palau stated, “I have had the joy of ministering in Guatemala for more than 40 years. But what distinguished this campaign from any other was the level of impact—the depth of penetration—to all levels of society. Never have we seen such access to government leaders, business professionals, and military personnel. It’s a testament to the power of the Gospel.”
Later this year, Palau and his team will take this holistic model for evangelism and community service to Inverness, Scotland; Kigali, Rwanda; and Little Rock, Arkansas.
“I am God’s advocate,” Luis told a select audience of approximately 1,000 lawyers who met in the facilities of the Tikal Futura Hotel in Guatemala City.
After meeting with the president of the nation and Cabinet ministers earlier today, Luis Palau went to the Tikal Futura Hotel where he spoke before a crowd of lawyers, magistrates of the Supreme Court, appeals court, judges and secretaries -- that is, the main players in the daily judicial life of Guatemala.
“I wanted to be a lawyer to defend my mother and my little sisters after my father died, but in the end I became an evangelist and so an advocate of God.” With these words Luis addressed an audience that was all captivated by his message. Later he added, “In my role as an advocate for the things of God, I tell people how to settle their debts with God. I tell them of the pardon available and how to be free of condemnation and I want to tell the same message to you. You need to get your life right with God.”
Under the theme, How to be a Successful Lawyer in Times of Crisis, Luis expounded on the importance of restoring moral and spiritual values in all walks of life, as the base and foundation of a society that truly practices justice.
Finally, he challenged the audience to consider the need to restore moral and spiritual values in an individual way in their own lives. “Only then could you be successful lawyers in the midst of crisis.”
After praying for those present, Palau invited them to bring their sons and daughters to the festival. After these words, the organizers of the conference presented him with a commemorative gift.
I am here in Guatemala where I feel a growing burden for God’s people around the world to intercede for this small but influential nation of Guatemala.
God is blessing tremendously:
On the other hand, the country really needs intercessory prayer because of violence in the streets provoked by the usual forces that we all know about. I am pleading for our people by the thousands to pray for Guatemala for the glory of God and for the good of the Guatemalans who profess love for and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Ephesians 6:18-20
May God be glorified! Pray that we will be able to preach the Gospel in all the remaining events plus to the crowds on Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14.
God bless you. Thank you for praying.
Luis
March 13-14, 2009, marks Guatemala Festival with Luis Palau. History is in the making, and you can play a vital part.
Through your partnership – and the collaboration of more than 3,200 churches in Guatemala – imagine…
In faith, the Palau Association is:
Millions will be reached, and thousands of souls saved for eternity! But it won’t happen without your help, prayers, and financial partnership.
God has used the Palau team to do inspiring things in Guatemala for more than 40 years. It is one of the first countries God put on Luis’ heart, and his radio program has been broadcast there from the beginning. An LPA office has been there since 1970. Luis has ministered to Guatemalan presidents since 1965.
Every step along the way, God gives more favor and opens more doors. He has a special plan for Guatemala to come to Christ. For that to happen, the people there need to hear His truth!
When you partner with LPA, it doesn’t take much to make a BIG impact. For every 40 cents given, the Palau team is able to reach 1 person with the Gospel. That means a gift of $20 will allow you to reach 50 people. And you can see the impact of your giving by watching the festival online stream on March 13-14!
Partner with us. See lives changed for all eternity. Be a part of history in Latin America. Give a gift today.
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