Contact: Craig Chastain, 503-614-1554
MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- In an intense tour of 3 major Chinese cities in 5 days, world evangelist and author Luis Palau recently took the word of God directly to the Chinese people in Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai. Palau's son Andrew, himself an evangelist with the Oregon-based Luis Palau Association, shared his personal testimony several times during the trip.
Highlighting the visit were 2 presentations at the largest church in China - Chong Yi Church in the city of Hangzhou. In a special Saturday night service, over 8,000 attendees jammed the massive sanctuary designed for 5,000. A Sunday service also was filled to capacity, with close to one thousand decisions to follow Christ recorded over the two days. According to church leadership, the events represented one of the largest gatherings in modern Chinese history to hear an international religious leader, with over half the Saturday audience being seekers and the curious invited by church members.
"In all my travels I've seldom encountered a senior pastor – Reverend Gu Joseph – with more passion and zeal for his ministry," said Luis Palau. "You can see and feel the love for Christ everywhere at Chong Yi church, especially among the young people."
Palau also returned to Beijing where he met with Ye Xiao Wen, director of the State Association of Religious Affairs (SARA) and spoke at the city's famed Gangwashi Church. It was the latest of several visits Palau has made to Gangwashi: in 2005, he preached at services attended by President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Palau wrapped up his trip in Shanghai with a visit with Zhao Qizheng, Dean of the Renmin University School of Journalism and Communication, who co-wrote with Palau the book "A Friendly Dialogue between An Atheist and A Christian." The Chinese translation of the book is a best-seller in China, and an English-language release by Zondervan is set for February 2008 in the United States and around the world.
World evangelist and author Luis Palau (loo-EES puh-LAOW) and his ministry have shared the Gospel with more than 1 billion people through evangelistic events and media. He has spoken in person to more than 25 million people in 72 countries with close to 1 million registered decisions for Jesus Christ. His radio broadcasts in both English and Spanish are heard by millions more on over 2600 radio stations in 42 countries. Mr. Palau has authored close to 50 books and countless articles on issues of faith. Luis Palau festivals have produced some of the largest audiences ever recorded in cities from south Florida to South America. His ministry also includes the Next Generation Alliance®, created to grow and nurture partner evangelists, and Livin It® Productions, which uses action sports, film and video to reach young people for Christ.
