Festival Madrid Draws Over 85,000 in Two Days
A two-day evangelistic festival in the Spanish capital of Madrid concluded Saturday, drawing in more then 85,000 attendants in front of the city’s famed Plaza del Toros.
A two-day evangelistic festival in the Spanish capital of Madrid concluded Saturday, drawing in more than 85,000 attendants in front of the city’s famed Plaza del Toros.
On a massive stage constructed on the Esplanade de la Plaza del Toros, one of Madrid's most famous landmarks, world evangelist Luis Palau gave multiple presentations of the Good News and calls to commitment to Jesus Christ to those gathered for Festival Madrid, as he has to an estimated 21 million people worldwide in the past four decades.
In what Spain’s church community is calling the largest evangelistic gathering in the nation’s history, “FestiMadrid” drew national attention as hundreds of churches and thousands of volunteers – called “Amigos del Festival” - united for the unprecedented event, according to the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association (LPEA).
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In the predominately secular nation with a small percentage of evangelicals, Palau's message was well received, the LPEA added, particularly by both local and national media.
In describing Spain, Palau said “[it] may be the spiritual doorway to bringing the message of God’s love back to Western Europe.”
“Old barriers to faith have been broken down this week, and thousands of Spaniards now have a new or renewed relationship with Jesus Christ,” the evangelist exhorted.
At a press conference held prior to the festival, Palau told those gathered that “this part of the world needs so much to hear a message of hope, not of religion.”
“Jesus did not come to make us religious, but to bring us God’s love,” he added.
In addition to the messages Palau delivered this weekend, Festival Madrid showcased some of the most popular entertainers in the Spanish-speaking world, each of which took time from their performances to share their faith with the audience.
The festival also had a service component, including a blood drive and a fundraiser to benefit Tsunami humanitarian projects.
According to the LPEA, Palau will return to the United States for two upcoming festivals – one in his home state of Oregon and the other on the National Mall in Washington D.C. – followed by more international travel that includes a visit to mainland China.
