The Next Model for Festival Evangelism

This August, in the hometown of LPA’s world headquarters, Portland CityFest with Luis Palau will take place at Waterfront Park downtown. Portland CityFest keeps all of the key elements of the known and loved Palau festival model, including a two-day evangelistic festival that involves:

• Great music from top Christian and mainstream artists
• A huge Livin It® action sports demo by BMX/FM skate athletes
• A Family Fun Zone
• A food court
• The Gospel message proclaimed by Luis Palau
• Multiple open invitations to accept Jesus Christ
• Thousands of Friends of the Festival (also known as counselors) trained to pray and follow up personally with those who respond to the Gospel invitation at the festival
• Churches following up with the individuals who indicate a response to Jesus Christ at the festival
• And much more!

The Festival 2.0 Model

In addition to the classic elements above, the Festival 2.0 model includes a strategy for long-term, sustainable community impact accomplished through three distinct stages:

Stage One: Season of Service

In the months leading up to the festival hundreds of catalyst churches become the primary channel to mobilizing thousands of believers to serve as advocates across the region, working closely with civic and corporate leaders throughout the area. Those who serve in this capacity commit to pray for and invite five non-Christians to help meet specific needs in their community. These needs, identified by local neighborhood associations, churches, government agencies and nonprofit organizations, will be met through a variety of service projects. More than 25,000 people are serving in projects throughout the Portland area!

Stage Two: Festival

As detailed above, the festival gives Christians the opportunity to reach out and share the Good News with the friends they served beside during the Season of Service. Extending the invitation to the festival is easy: “Let’s celebrate everything that was accomplished in our community through the Season of Service at Portland CityFest with Luis Palau!”

Stage Three: Long-Term Impact

Through this new model, we are taking this commitment of sustainability to an entirely new level, bringing neighborhoods together to meet with civic and corporate leaders, engage their community, and serve together on a regular basis. In this post-festival stage, thousands of additional volunteers recruited at the festival will engage in public service projects throughout the area.

Engaging Culture, Encouraging Change

“What’s exciting about the Festival 2.0 model, and what’s happening in Portland, is the groundwork that is established for sustainable community impact,” says LPA Executive Vice President Kevin Palau.

“We get to serve as a liaison between civic, corporate and church leaders to begin dialoguing about the needs and opportunities within the city. The discussion prompts unity, strategy, and a can-do spirit that proves itself on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis,” he explains. “And the results prove themselves on a huge, area-wide scale! We do it all because of Jesus Christ, who is clearly proclaimed at the festival with open invitations for all to come to Him.”

Loving acts of service coupled with the Good News of Jesus Christ…it’s a dynamic combination because it’s how Jesus lived on this earth. He loved the least and overlooked of society, and He unapologetically spoke the truth.

May the Festival 2.0 model honor God and succeed by His grace, forever changing individual lives and entire communities through the love and Good News of Jesus Christ.

If you are in the Portland area and would like more information about the Season of Service and how you can get involved, please click here. You’ll join more than 25,000 individuals already serving!