Argentinian Evangelist Luis Palau Draws Tens of Thousands to NYC's Central Park
Palau Shares Thoughts on Latino Integration Into NYC Evangelical Community, Greater Christian Cooperation in Big Apple
Organizers had been expecting a capacity crowd of 60,000 on the Great Lawn, and although figures were not available by press time, it certainly appeared that the turnout might have come close to expectations. But Palau, who has preached to millions around the world, insisted that had there not been capacity restrictions for the 55-acre lawn, at least five times as many people would have shown up.
"If we had a free place, there could have been 300,000, 400,000 people easily. But still, who doesn't rejoice to see a crowd like this, cheering the Lord, worshipping and standing for so many hours. But the Holy Spirit is at work in New York... There's a great hunger in New York. There is spiritual hunger," Palau told The Christian Post about an hour before taking to the stage to deliver his message to the masses.
Ann-Marie Meitlend, hailing from the Bronx, went for a walk through the park with several other ladies after spending some time at the CityFest. She said she thought it was "wonderful" to see so many Christians gathered in one place.
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"We should have more of this. Because right now, I think Christianity needs to be more emphasized on a larger scale, because we are the children of not just God but of Jesus Christ and that this is what we intend to profess to the world, that He's a God who loves us, a God who is looking for souls, so I agree 100 percent," Meitlend said. "I welcome this anytime. The more we can have this, the better for us."
Cynthia Moncion, who lives in Queens, sat by herself on the green grass, shaded under a short-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
"A friend invited me to come and just check out Luis Palau," she said. "I really like his words. I went to one of his events two weeks ago. It was a breakfast for women, and he really inspired me to come today. So I'm here for him."
Moncion said what she found most impressive about the "beautiful," "really fun" and "very inspiring" event was the diversity represented on the Great Lawn.
"I think that's mostly what really wowed me when I got here, just seeing so many different ethnicities, so many different people, all ages. That's pretty much the wow factor of the day for me. I think it's beautiful, it's great for him to bring so many people together all in one place."
Wade, a young man from Long Island, did not attend CityFest to recommit himself to the faith or to simply listen to the speakers. He told CP, after praying with a counselor, that he decided to do so "because I want God to change my life."
"I serve God and I'm a regular churchgoer, but I came here because I wanted God to do something new in my life. And I believe He did just that," Wade, who did not give his last name, added.
Palau, 80, said he started dreaming about preaching in New York City after his mentor, the Rev. Billy Graham, held a record 16-week crusade at the old Madison Square Garden in 1957. A friend who was volunteering with the crusade sent him every few days bulletins printed by Graham's ministry that informed readers "about all the conversions." It was during that time that Palau decided, "One day I'm gonna preach in New York."
The venerable evangelist, popular among New York City's Latino evangelical community, compared the Big Apple to Buenos Aires (the capital of his home country). He called them both big cities that like to pretend they are very "self-sufficient," although, he added, the 9-11 attacks in New York City might have tempered that attitude.
Palau shared what he had learned by living in New York City for the past two months or so and visiting with local Christians over the past year, ahead of his big event at Central Park — where only Graham and Pope John Paul II have held worship services.
"Some, the minority churches, the Latinos particularly, but others also, have always felt a little isolated. I think now they feel more integrated, properly so," Palau said. "I think there's going to be in the future more working together. I hope the Latinos, senior people who have authority over congregations or denominations, that they will see that this is an opportunity to lead the Body of Christ, the Church, forward."
The evangelist was selective with his words when he commented on "those who kinda sat on the sidelines because they were too busy" to participate in NY CityServe-CityFest.
"Some that I thought have a reputation in town, but have not involved themselves I think have forfeited the authority over some...many, many currents of the evangelical movement and they've forfeited their authority and they'll never recuperate it," Palau warned without stating any specific names.
"I think the leadership of the evangelical movement of New York is gonna change hands. It was in hands that refused to use the authority that God gave them," he added.
Either way, Palau said that once he and his family return home to Portland, Oregon, he hopes that the 1,700 partner churches will "keep doing more of the same, multiplying the unity."
"This will now go on, God willing, for many years. The cooperation is growing among churches, the number of churches I think is growing," he added.
When Palau finally did take to the stage, he preached about Jesus coming to heal the brokenhearted and "to save that which was lost." He also spoke directly to the children present, telling them that Jesus wants them in his kingdom, too. And he spoke to the poor, telling them of the riches of God's kingdom and that God loves (them) "with an everlasting love."
Before delivering his sermon, however, Palau prayed for the nation and its leaders.
"O God our Father, thank You for this nation where You have placed us. Thank you, O God that You said happy, blessed, to be envied is the nation that fears God. O God, we pray that our nation may fear You reverently, that the leaders would be blessed and even of their will that they would do Your will on Earth," Palau prayed in part, before he and the thousands congregated on the lawn gave a hearty, "Amen!"
