Palau team to expand youth outreach with television specials

   BEAVERTON — The Luis Palau Association, founded by Beaverton-based world evangelist Luis Palau, is known for its worldwide Festivals and its impact on youth with the extreme sports Livin It DVD’s and with national tours.
    Now, in a step that Kevin Palau, the evangelist’s son and the association’s executive vice president describes as yet another step in its goal of doing “innovative evangelism,” the ministry is expanding its youth outreach into the area of network television specials.
    The association’s PalauFest Productions is producing a one-hour television special titled Livin It: Unusual Suspects that will air nationwide Dec. 2-4 on WGN, i-Independent (PAX), TBN, and scores of ABC, CBS, NBC and WB affiliates. It will be rebroadcast on Dec. 24 and 31 on a number of Christian networks. In the Portland area, it will air 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, on KWBP, Channel 32 over-the-air or on Comcast Cable 3.
    The special will reveal an in-depth, cutting edge look at people in diverse walks of life whose faith has taken them to extraordinary levels of achievement. Viewers will see Palau, actor Stephen Baldwin, skateboard legend Christian Hosoi, musical artist Chynna Phillips and other well-known personalities give compelling one-on-one interviews and share stories of triumph over obstacles they have faced in their lives.
    Losing his father to a sudden illness at age 10, Luis Palau survived poverty and the loss of his childhood, but through it all has become one of the most respected and effective communicators worldwide.
    Often defying death threats, apathy and hostility toward Christians, Palau and his message of hope have reached more than 22 million people in 70 nations, and his radio broadcasts in both English and Spanish are heard by millions more on more than 2,100 radio stations in 48 countries.
    The youngest of the famed “Baldwin Brothers,” actor Stephen Baldwin was known to many as the baby rebel from one of today’s most well-known family dynasties. After filming more than 65 movies, Baldwin now uses his own testimony and life lessons from his Hollywood experience to relate to and positively encourage the youth culture.
    Nearly four years ago, Baldwin teamed up with the Palau organization to birth the extreme sports revolution called Livin It. Today the Livin It brand — led by the highly successful DVD series – is making its mark in the youth culture.
    Hosoi — referred to as the Michael Jordan of skateboarding – was at one time living what many of the world might claim a perfect life. He was at the top of his game making big money and a huge name for himself as the best skateboarder in the world, but fame, fortune and an eventual loss of focus sent this revered athlete to federal prison. After faith and fervent prayers,      Hosoi was released back in the public eye from prison after only four years of his 10-year sentence. He lives the life of a freed man in more ways than one and spends his time reaching out to the younger generation about living a life of faith.
    Daughter of John and Michelle Phillips from the legendary 1960s band “The Mamas and Papas” and a singer of the multi-Platinum-selling pop music group “Wilson Phillips,” Phillips has spent her life surrounded by musical success. With number one hit songs and even recognition by People magazine as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World,” Phillips now has launched a new chapter by living a life of faith.
    The recent DC Festival with Luis Palau on the National Mall in Washington D.C. serves as backdrop for the television program, which offers stories of changed lives as told not only by these individuals, but also their families and friends.