Luis Palau family: Cancer has spread but he is at peace with the Lord

The family of evangelist Luis Palau, diagnosed recently with stage 4 lung cancer, has said the cancer has spread but that he and his wife Patricia 'remain absolutely at peace in the Lord'.

Luis Palau has been diagnosed with cancer. Wkipedia

Writing for the family on the website of the Luis Palau Association, Palau's son Kevin said: 'It has been so encouraging to see hundreds of thousands of people praying for Dad and reaching out in various ways. Almost 2 million people watched the short video we shared in English and Spanish. We thank God for you all!'

He said they were encouraged there was a 'clear diagnosis and treatment plan', saying 'We're trusting God to guide every step of the way.'

He revealed the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and spine and could not be treated by the 'newer, more targeted treatments'.

'The plan will be for a regular regimen of chemo for the next two months to see if that can slow it down. At that point immunotherapy could be an additional option,' he said.

Kevin Palau said the hope was that 'this treatment would allow at least a year for Dad to keep being the amazing blessing that he is to all of us. His big dream, and one that now seems very much in reach, is to be able to go with [son] Andrew to both Bogotá, Colombia in August and Grand Rapids, Michigan in September to preach the Good News.

'Thanks for your continued prayers and support.'

Palau, born in Argentina in 1934, is regarded as one of the most significant evangelistic figures of his generation and was a protege of Billy Graham. He was estimated in 2007 to have shared the gospel with around 25 million people in 70 nations.

When his diagnosis was announced Bishop Efraim Tendero, secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, said: 'We pray for Dr. Luis Palau and his family, including his wife Patricia and his sons Kevin and Andrew who lead the Luis Palau Association, the organization Luis founded and led, giving many years of faithful and outstanding service to the Kingdom of God in world evangelization.

'When one thinks of world renowned evangelists who have made remarkable global impact through the faithful preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the name Luis Palau is ever present. We trust that Luis will be blessed to know that evangelicals around the world and the WEA family will be standing with him in prayer.'

News
Young people increasingly open to faith and God, research finds
Young people increasingly open to faith and God, research finds

"The time is now. It is urgent," said lead researcher Laura Hancock.

Israeli shelling hits Gaza’s only Catholic Church, killing three and wounding 10
Israeli shelling hits Gaza’s only Catholic Church, killing three and wounding 10

In a rare move, the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted an apology on social media.

Fresh attacks on Christians in Syria after deadly church bombing
Fresh attacks on Christians in Syria after deadly church bombing

Can anyone bring peace and order in Syria?

UK government targets 10 countries to protect believers – but have they made the right choices?
UK government targets 10 countries to protect believers – but have they made the right choices?

As Christians face increasing numbers of attacks across the world, the British Foreign Office is to target 10 countries in a bid to get them to improve their record on protecting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).