Palau at Missions Fest: 'Keep speaking well of Jesus'

By RICHARD KOE

CLACKAMAS -- Portland-based international evangelist Luis Palau told a Friday night crowd of more than 2,000 on Jan. 18 at Missions Fest Northwest to “keep speaking well of Jesus” -- an exhortation given years ago to a Scottish missionary -- as they commit themselves to missionary service here and around the world.

In a free-wheeling 59-minute talk, Palau quoted from Prov. 24:10-12: “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.” He also urged Christians to humble themselves as children (Matt. 18:2) because “Our Father in heaven wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth.”

Palau offered eight reminders to those interested in missions:

-- “Jesus is the commander -in -chief and the worldwide strategist.”.

-- “You can’t rescue the whold world by yourself.”

-- “You do mission work because you love the Lord your God.”

-- “You do missionary work because you love your neighbor as yourself.”

-- “Jesus has left no specific methodology for mission work.”

-- “Take up your cross and follow Him and also be ready to die for Him.”

-- “The task may seem impossible, but everything is possible with God.”

-- “Rewards are waiting in heaven for those who obey Jesus Christ.”

Palau added that “we are part of a team, so do your part in the ‘big picture.’ ’’ He called attention to the 100 million homeless children around the world, abandoned and abused, and the urgent need to reach them to Christ.

The evangelist said he is forever grateful to missionaries who came to Argentina to win his entire family to Christ and led him to go forth to proclaim God’s Word to the four corners of the world, even in once forbidden areas.

New Hope Community Church, the site of the two-day event, was buzzing Friday night and people milled about numerous exhibits while enjoying light meals and latte. Some 80 workshops were held throughout the facilities. A special youth concert was also held after the opening plenary session on Friday night.

Bill MacLeod, who directed Missions Fest, said the event seeks to inform, celebrate and ignite people for mission. The idea for the event originated in Vancouver, B.C., where similar events has been under way for several years. Some 30,000 Canadians attended last year's event there.

Among the Missions Fest Northwest workshop topics were “Who Wants to Be a Missionary?” “Islam, Allah, and Mohammed,” “Hinduism and Christianity,” “Women of God in the World,” “Rodeo Cowboys on Short-Term Missions,” and “Foreign Students: A Mission Field Just Down the Street.”

MacLeod, the organizing committee, and the sponsoring Northwest churches are enthused about continuing the annual event, perhaps eventually moving to a larger venue locally.