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'We Lost a Giant in Christian History': Christian Leaders Respond to the Death of Evangelist Luis Palau

  • Kayla Koslosky

    Kayla Koslosky has been the Editor of ChristianHeadlines.com since 2018. She has B.A. degrees in English and History and previously wrote for and was the managing editor of the Yellow Jacket …

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  • Updated Mar 15, 2021

Christian leaders are offering their condolences following the death of renowned evangelist Luis Palau on Thursday.

As Christian Headlines previously reported, Palau, 86, passed away on Thursday, March 11 after a three-year battle with lung cancer.

In a post on Twitter, Franklin Graham, the son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, offered a heartfelt tribute to Palau. Graham wrote, “Luis Palau devoted his life to preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, & today, after a 3-year battle with lung cancer, he went home to be with his Lord & Savior. Luis was a passionate evangelist who faithfully shared the Gospel.”

In a subsequent tweet, Graham recalled Palau’s powerful impact through his work of sharing the Gospel. He wrote, “Millions have heard this truth, & untold men & women have trusted Christ, as a result of Luis Palau’s ministry. He was a close friend of my father Billy Graham & he was my friend as well. I thank God for his life & the example he set. His voice will be greatly missed.”

Palau was often referred to as “the Latino Billy Graham”, Religion News Service reports.

Harvest Christian Fellowship founder, Pastor Greg Laurie, also paid tribute to Palau via Twitter, writing, “Luis Palau has gone to Heaven. It was my privilege to know Luis, and he was full of passion for Christ and for lost people. God used him to lead thousands to Christ. I know the Lord has said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord!’"

National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference President Rev. Samuel Rodriguez pointed to Palau’s joyful nature and enthusiasm for Christ in a statement, saying, "When I think of how to describe Luis Palau, the first thing that comes to mind is his joy. His radiant smile, his enthusiasm, his energy came from a deep love for Jesus and a passion for sharing grace and truth with anyone who would listen.”

He continued, “Although Luis would not desire to glorify himself, we celebrate his faithfulness: because of his obedience over a lifetime, more than 1 billion people around the world have heard the Gospel.”

Rodriguez went on to say that Palau would undoubtably hear the words 'Well done, good and faithful servant' from Jesus as he is joyously welcomed through the gates of Heaven.

“Though he is rejoicing in heaven, he will be sorely missed here,” Rodriguez added. “His friendship and mentorship meant more to me than words can adequately express. My prayers are with the Palau family in this difficult time.”

According to Christianity Today, The Congress of Christian Leaders President Rev. Johnnie Moore, also spoke on Palau’s passing, sharing that upon hearing of the evangelist’s death, he was brought to tears. “I don't cry often. I cried when I heard Luis Palau had died,” he said. “Few leaders have impacted my own life as profoundly as he did at a few critical moments. Luis Palau was the Apostle Paul to the Spanish-speaking world. He was a leader whom God used to usher in the great revival that swept South and Central America, and that was just the beginning.”

“Today,” he asserted, “we lost a giant in Christian history.”

For more than 50 years, Palau and his Luis Palau Association have worked to share the gospel in over 75 countries. Palau, who ministered in both English and Spanish, is also the author of dozens of books. According to Religion News Service, during his years in ministry, at least 30 million people were introduced to Christ and the Gospel. In 1980, Palau was even able to preach in Spanish to more than 52,000 people during his nine-day Festival of the Family Crusade in Los Angeles.

Palau is survived by his wife, Patricia; his four sons, Andrew, Kevin, Keith and Stephen; and many grandchildren.

Related:

Luis Palau, Globe-Trotting Evangelist, Is Dead at 86

Photo courtesy: ©Luis Palau Facebook


Kayla Koslosky has been the Editor of ChristianHeadlines.com since 2018. She has B.A. degrees in English and History and previously wrote for and was the managing editor of the Yellow Jacket newspaper. She has also contributed to IBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com.