Soon after the announcement of the death of world-renowned evangelist Luis Palau, responses from faith leaders the world over poured in. Charisma News has compiled a few of them to share with you here as we continue to mourn the passing of this great hero of faith and pray for others to carry on his legacy.
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, releases the following statement:
When I think of how to describe Luis Palau, the first thing that comes to mind is his joy. His radiant smile, his enthusiasm, his energy came from a deep love for Jesus and a passion for sharing grace and truth with anyone who would listen.
Although Luis would not desire to glorify himself, we celebrate his faithfulness: because of his obedience over a lifetime, more than 1 billion people around the world have heard the gospel.
Luis has received the victor’s crown, the “Well done, good and faithful servant” from his Savior. Though he is rejoicing in heaven, he will be sorely missed here. His friendship and mentorship meant more to me than words can adequately express. My prayers are with the Palau family in this difficult time.”
Rodriguez also shared a quote from Palau on Twitter:
As Luis Palau once noted: “When you win people to Jesus Christ, it’s the greatest joy … And it’s contagious. Once you do it, you don’t want to stop.” As we mourn and pray with the family of this hero of the faith, let’s honor his legacy by echoing his message of joy and hope.
— Samuel Rodriguez (@nhclc) March 11, 2021
Pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie of the Harvest Crusades and Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, also used a Twitter post to honor Palau:
Luis Palau has gone to Heaven. It was my privilege to know Luis, and he was full of passion for Christ and for lost people. God used him to lead thousands to Christ. I know the Lord has said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord!” pic.twitter.com/ETyBrmFAyZ
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) March 11, 2021
Evangelist Daniel Kolenda, president of Christ for all Nations, tweeted out his condolences:
Today Heaven gained a wonderful man of God, Evangelist Luis Palau. We are praying for the entire Palau family. We praise God for the impact his life had for the kingdom of God! pic.twitter.com/v8iMJTrDWd
— Daniel Kolenda (@danielkolenda) March 11, 2021
And Pastor Skip Heitzig of Calvary Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico, shared the following:
Luis Palau has just graduated to heaven. What a powerhouse he was! As an evangelist, he preached the gospel across the globe to more than 25 million people in 72 countries. Luis lived what he preached. He once said, “When you face weariness, carelessness, and confusion, don’t pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a stronger man or woman of God.” After his battle with cancer, Luis entered into his eternal reward. Please pray for his wife, Pat, and his sons Andrew, Kevin, Keith, and their families.”
Robert Morris, pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, said Palau “passionately preached the gospel around the world”:
We celebrate the heavenly homecoming of Evangelist Luis Palau, a great man of faith who passionately preached the gospel around the world and led millions of people to Christ. Today he heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” pic.twitter.com/pAYNEt8jPm
— Robert Morris (@PsRobertMorris) March 11, 2021
Evangelist Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, also tweeted out his remembrances of Palau:
.@LuisPalauLive devoted his life to preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, & today, after a 3-year battle with lung cancer, he went home to be with his Lord & Savior. Luis was a passionate evangelist who faithfully shared the Gospel. pic.twitter.com/ibjZ8QQQvG
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 11, 2021
And Graham’s son Will Graham, himself an evangelist, also shared a tweet about “Luis’ legacy and the eternal impact of his ministry”:
Luis Palau was one of the best Gospel communicators I have ever known. He had a humble spirit, a genuinely kind soul, a true servant’s heart, a love for his Savior and a deep passion for the lost. Luis’ legacy and the eternal impact of his ministry will be felt for generations. pic.twitter.com/zwoqN787kh
— Will Graham (@WillGraham_4) March 11, 2021
Lee Strobel, pastor and bestselling author of The Case for Christ and many other books, tweeted a powerful quote from Palau in tribute:
Among Luis Palau’s last words to me: “At the end of your life, when all is said and done, you’ll never regret being courageous for Christ.”
— Lee Strobel (@LeeStrobel) March 11, 2021
Another quote from Palau stands out in this tweet from fellow evangelist Greg Stier, founder and president of Dare 2 Share Ministries and host of the Gospelize podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network.
A legend has passed into God’s presence. I’m deeply grateful for the legacy and example of Luis Palau. pic.twitter.com/wcmrNnO63F
— Greg Stier (@gregstier) March 11, 2021
John Jackson, president of William Jessup University in Rocklin and San Jose, California, also honored the late evangelist:
In an age of movie superheroes, Luis Palau was and is a real-life hero of the faith. Luis preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to millions and was a father of the faith to thousands of Christian leaders around the world. It was my great honor to be with Luis on a number of occasions including those times of preparation for his Reno Festival in 2004 and his Sacramento Festival in 2012. I never had an experience with Luis that was not full of the love of Jesus Christ, a passion to reach the world with the good news of God’s love, and an unfailing concern for his family and ministry. We celebrate Luis’s life and pray for the comfort and encouragement of his family.
And seminary student and former associate editor of Charisma magazine Taylor Berglund recalled interviewing Palau:
I spoke to #LuisPalau in 2019 for a story in @charismamag. One of the best interviews I’ve ever had: hilarious, humble, reflective, emotional, genuinely inspirational. He reflected a lot about his mortality that day with me and it stuck with me long after: https://t.co/bHgXPhNqF8
— Taylor Berglund (@taylorwwjd) March 11, 2021
Please join the Charisma News staff in praying for Palau’s family and for those who will carry out his legacy of taking the gospel to the nations. {eoa}
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