Remembering Luis Palau

Luis Palau, who died this past week, was one of the most influential evangelists of our time. I remember him for his passion and his exuberant spirit! And for his faithfulness to the end.

I am moved by these words from one of his last letters:

“If I could challenge you in one way right now … as I face eternity and you continue on … it would be this: Never let the fire of evangelism fade. Stand strong for the Gospel!! There is nothing better to put your life toward. A life poured out for the Gospel. For His glory.”

My Jeanie is always reminding us: “Don’t forget the evangelists!” We will not forget Luis. And as LFM mentors younger pastors and supports churches in strengthening their vision for a fresh season of ministry, we will keep true evangelism at the point of our ministry.

These pictures are from the Second International Congress on World Evangelization (Lausanne II), held in Manila in 1989. I served as Chair and Luis was a plenary speaker.

-Leighton Ford