Praise the Lord for all He accomplished through the Love Côte d’Ivoire Festival with Andrew Palau.
The region-wide campaign reached more than 100,000 people in person, and 59 nations were reached through a live television broadcast of the festival aired throughout the French-speaking world. At the festival in Abidjan, more than 19,000 individuals made a decision for Jesus or a recommitment to a life with Him.
Here’s a quick highlight video from the massive campaign:
In addition the 3-day festival, the Palau team worked throughout the week in partnership with 2,200 local churches to coordinate multiple programs to bless the community of Abidjan, including the following outreaches: reading eyeglass clinics, medical clinics, sports clinics, outreaches for children, events at schools, an outreach at the nation’s largest prison, and dinners for women and business leaders.
Highlights from the week of service and outreach include:
54 outreach events reached nearly every sector of society.
2,200 partnering churches that helped make this an historic, unified, region-wide effort.
400 evangelists gathered to launch the first-ever network of evangelists in Cote d’Ivoire.
5,000 individuals trained in personal evangelism
9,000 children reached through BMX and children programs in local schools
10,000 people served through eye glass clinics in the city this week. While the Palau team met this tangible physical need, they also shared Christ with each individual, leading more than 800 in personal commitments to Christ.
59 nations reached through a special live television broadcast of the festival aired throughout the French-speaking world.
More than 19,000 public confessions of faith in Jesus Christ.
These outreaches not only gave a tangible blessing to those involved but also shared the Good News of Jesus through clear presentations of the Gospel. Thank you for your prayers. God is using your partnership to proclaim His Good News in West Africa. He is using you to meet the tangible needs of the region and bring people into a right relationship with their Savior.
With the large amount of churches, this ongoing campaign has proven to be one of the largest evangelistic efforts Africa has ever seen. This festival marks their tenth capital city campaign on the continent, including festivals in Lilongwe, Malawi (2016); Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2013); Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2012); Kigali, Rwanda (2009); and Cairo, Egypt (2008).
DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS:
DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS:
DAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS:
DAY 3 HIGHLIGHTS:
DAY 5 HIGHLIGHTS:
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
“We’ve never seen unity like this in Côte d'Ivoire before. We have groups of pastors who work together but we’ve never seen unity like the churches have working with the Palau team. We’re usually distracted by fractions and disagreements but in working with the Palau team, we now have the same vision, same goal – we’re unified to preach the Gospel throughout the country.”
Akossi Frank, Pastoral Committee member & local pastor
“The festival helps the Church win souls to Christ. That’s why we’re involved. We’ve all been called to serve the Lord and that means focusing on souls being won for Christ. We’ve had other evangelists come to our country but Andrew has a unique method which is the most engaging and effective.”
Gboagnon Appolinaire, President of Evangelistic Federation of Côte d'Ivoire
“There’s great joy in how the Palau team has involved local leaders. Evangelism through friendship like this is something we don’t often see. We’re all joyfully working together. The festival is a big deal for everybody. The older. The younger. Inmates. The weary. I have seen the impact of a couple Palau festivals in the area, and it’s our great joy that the team would visit our country for the second year.”
Emmanual Bouaffo, Father of Gospel Music in Côte d'Ivoire, one of the nation’s most-loved Gospel singers
“For anybody who doubts that children can come to faith in Jesus, that’s not the right way of thinking. Children have a capacity to accept the Lord in genuine faith. Everybody needs Jesus. The Gospel is simple enough for everybody – and I’m glad the Palau team prioritizes children in their outreach. I also met Jesus when I was in primary school through an outreach like this.”
Marie-France, schoolteacher in Abidjan
“We’ve came to Abidjan this year to see the many pieces of the festival week in hopes to partner with the Palau team for a future festival in Nairobi. What captivates me the most about the Palau ministry is the holistic approach to missions. It’s very unique. There’s this notion that Christianity is a bore, but it’s actually the most exciting adventure. The Palau team understands that and it shows in the diversity of outreaches and audiences they reach.”
Patrick Kuchio, Missions Pastor in Kenya