Palau on Feb. 12 to outline to pastors big 2008 plans for Portland

PORTLAND — During a free gathering for pastors and other church staff Tuesday, Feb. 12, the mayors of Portland, Beaverton and Vancouver, Wash., will join locally based world evangelist and author Luis Palau to officially launch Portland CityFest 2008 and its strong emphasis on community service.
Palau will host the Pastors and Leaders Enrichment Conference at Cedar Mill Bible Church, 12208 N.W. Cornell Road. The conference and lunch are free to all pastors and church staff.
A morning session will focus on the subject of personal holiness, a vital issue with clergy that Palau has addressed around the world over four decades of ministry. Following lunch, Palau will be joined by a number of civic leaders including Portland Mayor Tom Potter, City Commissioners Erik Sten and Sam Adams, Beaverton Mayor Rob Drake and Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard to launch Portland CityFest 2008.
CityFest will expand the scope of previous Luis Palau festivals as hundreds of churches come together for a “Season of Service.” Areas of community service will include a summer food program for children who receive lunches during the school year; a homelessness pilot project with the Bureau of Housing and Community Development; environmental projects in partnership with Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism (SOLV); school campus cleanup and repair; and a “Compassion Connection” – free health clinic and social service fairs for low-income residents in need of medical, dental, vision and/or chiropractic services.
Portland CityFest will be a two-day celebration of the summer’s accomplishments staged at Tom McCall Waterfront Park Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22 and 23. The free-admission event will feature top contemporary music artists, Livin It® action sports, a family fun zone, and messages of hope from Palau.
The Feb. 12 Enrichment Conference begins at 9 a.m. with CityFest launch activities at 12:30 p.m.. Attendees are asked to register with Anne Henderson at 503-614-1500 or http://pastors.portlandcityfest.com.