Palau Fest Rocks 140,000 for Christ

By Lillian Kwon, Christian Post Reporter Monday, March 05, 2007

Evangelist Luis Palau and popular Christian artists rocked 140,000 attendants at Palau's first 2007 festival in Tampa Bay, Fla., over the weekend.

Clouds and rainy weather kept the crowd at 40,000 on the opening day Saturday but clear skies drew 100,000 to the grounds of the Raymond James Stadium the second and final festival day.

"To look out on that great crowd and see such diversity, such excitement to hear and share God's love, was a tremendous thrill and a tribute to all our Florida friends who worked so hard," said Palau in a released statement.

Diverse crowds are nothing new at Palau festivals which showcase a mixed bunch of speakers and artists. The evangelist himself hails from Argentina and spreads "Great Music and Good News" around the world. Some consider him the Latino Billy Graham. The artist line-up in Tampa Bay included Latin Grammy Award-winning Marcos Witt, Texas-born singer/songwriter Chris Tomlin, Grammy Award-winning contemporary gospel artist Kirk Franklin, female rock trio BarlowGirl, and rapcore rockers P.O.D.

Highlighting and embracing the diversity among the tens of thousands at the festival Sunday night, Franklin had attendants hug persons of a different color in an expression of Jesus' love.

Diversity also applies to the evangelistic team's festival format. Palau festivals have gone from large-scale church services to non-traditional fun festivals to draw all ages and both the churched and unchurched. Along with music, sports zones and VeggieTales for the kids, the evangelistic festivals also showcase extreme sports demos through a partnership with "Livin It" ministry.

"People say 'what's that got to do with spiritual life?'" Palau told CBS affiliate Studio 10. "Everything, because otherwise you get the impression 'here's your spiritual life and then the rest of your life.' Whereas we're trying to say 'look, everything in your life is spiritual, everything in your life can be connected with God so go for it and enjoy it.'"

The Palau team worked with over 550 churches, local politicians, local businesses, and nearly 10,000 volunteers for the Tampa Bay Festival, which was funded by corporations, churches and individuals.