Luis Palau, Years After China Gaffe, Maintains That Evangelists, Pastors 'Shouldn't Meddle' (Interview Part 2)
Argentinian Evangelist Talks With CP About His Role in Christian Ministry, Why He Avoids 'Contentious Issues'
I've got some of my friends who used to call themselves evangelists, but I think they're now more prophets than evangelists because a prophet goes around really denouncing and woe this and woe that, and also they lose their heads often, you know (laughs). I'm glad I'm an evangelist. No truly, an evangelist is for the Good News, that's the definition. Therefore, don't meddle in secondary… I mean, that's a long sermon because it's for the hour. I wish more pastors were wiser...
CP: Your pastor friends, do they ever call you to see where you stand on a particular issue?
Palau: Yeah, I get asked all the time, but I just have no trouble saying, "Don't waste your time." I will not talk on that issue because I represent the Body of Christ in the spiritual sense of things. As an elder in my church, if I get asked, we will discuss things. But when I'm acting as an evangelist or functioning as an evangelist, I have to keep to the principles, you know. And it works. People understand. Or they should.
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CP: You've been traveling all over and preaching for a while now. Do you have any regrets? Are there any mistakes that have really stuck with you?
Palau: I don't now. I wish I had done things a little wiser sometimes. We try our best every step of the way, you know. When we had a burden for a place, tried to get in there. Cuba looks like it's gonna open now, thanks to Obama. So I'm all for Obama on that one. I think he did the right thing for the U.S., too. In the end, for the people of Cuba. They're sweet people, they've been suffering a lot, and freedom's gonna bring them a blessing.
My idea is, God called me to preach to the cities, cities that open and God lays on my heart, "Take 'em, do it, do the maximum, go home." My job is to sow the seed and draw people into the kingdom. Once they're in the kingdom, turn them over to the pastors and the teachers, they have to take care of them. My role at the kingdom is, stand at the door and say, "This is the way, this is the way. Come in or keep going, whatever you choose." That's my role.
CP: It's not unusual to hear about longtime evangelists experiencing strife or strain in their families because they travel often. How do you keep it all together when you travel so often?
Palau: Well, I have a good wife. I would say to evangelists, marry the right woman. And they'll always say, "Yeah, yeah, yeah." They think there's' some other secret. … So when you're young, if you're called by God, be sure you choose the best woman you know, think is the best woman.
My wife has been strong. I traveled a lot. The boys were, you know, boys. When I was home and they were on school vacation, I always made a point that they would go with me or else I won't go to a conference, that kind of a thing. And it worked, basically. And they seem to be un-angry at me. Andrew (also in the room during CP's interview) is going like this (gestures), but he's slow with it (laughs). You know, you just do the best before the Lord. You never feel like you've done the right thing. I don't like to dish out advice anymore. I used to when I was younger, how to have a happy marriage and all that...
Read part one of CP's interview with Palau: Luis Palau on His Bucket List: I Want to Preach to 'a Million Chinese in Tiananmen Square'
