By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife
WASHINGTON (BosNewsLife)— Nine days after the passing of international evangelist Luis Palau, his family and close friends will gather for “an intimate memorial service” in his honor, organizers said Friday, March 19.
Saturday’s service, kept small due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, will be live-streamed worldwide on Facebook at facebook.com/luispalaulive and the Luis Palau’s memorial website luispalau.org. “No registration is necessary. All are welcome and encouraged to tune in,” the Luis Palau Association said.
“We wish we could all be together in person. But we know even over a video stream this time will be incredibly meaningful,” added Palau’s son Kevin Palau in published remarks. “Dad’s wish for his memorial was that it would be a time to praise and glorify the King of Heaven. And that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
The service will include music from artist Matt Redman, words from close family and friends, and a performance by the Gospel choir from Salem Baptist Church of Chicago.
The memorial starts at 2 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time Saturday, March 20, organizers said. “This service will be a great time to remember and celebrate the life of our Dad, Luis Palau,” stressed Andrew Palau, one of Luis’s four sons and co-evangelist for the past 15 years.
“But just as Dad would have wanted, it will also be a wonderful time to honor the Lord and proclaiming His Good News. We really hope many will tune in, share it with their friends, and be deeply encouraged by the message we share—the same message Dad shared for his entire life.”
GLOBAL REACH
The 86-year-old evangelist, who preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to more than 1 billion people through media and evangelistic events, passed away last week, Thursday, March 11.
Palau, a close friend of the late evangelist Billy Graham, died shortly after deciding to stop all treatment for his incurable lung cancer. The Argentina-born preacher recently returned to his adopted U.S. home in Portland to spend his last days with his family.
Organizers of Saturday’s memorial said there would be a possibility for people to “share a testimony or memory” of Palau or write a note to the family through LuisPalau.org.
Already “Thousands from around the world have shared encouraging, personal messages and videos, many of which are currently being highlighted on the site,” the Luis Palau Association explained in a statement.
The Association said it had put together a special commemorative book for the service on Saturday. “Individuals interested in their free copy of this commemorative book, My Life in Seven Words, or in giving a memorial gift to continue the work of the Luis Palau Association, can indicate so at LuisPalau.org.”
