Luis Palau remembered at livestreamed memorial service

Andrew Palau paid tribute to his father at the intimate memorial service (Photo: Luis Palau Association)

Friends and family of much-loved evangelist Luis Palau gathered on Saturday for a memorial service that was broadcast live around the world. 

Palau, who was born in Argentina in 1934, died from lung cancer on March 11. He was 86. 

His son Andrew, who has followed in his father's footsteps as an evangelist, said his dad had not wanted a big send-off but only that his memorial service would "point to Jesus".

"We'll disobey him for one last time," he quipped. 

He said his father's favorite Bible verse had been John 10:10 ("I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly") and also shared what Luis had wanted written on his headstone: "Here lies Luis Palau. He wasn't perfect, but he sure loved Jesus."

Rich McKinley, the founding pastor of Imago Dei Community in Portland, Oregon, was among those paying tribute to Palau during the service. 

He spoke of the assurance Palau felt about going "to be with the Lord in heaven". 

He added that the evangelist, whose ministry spanned over 60 years, had a "short account with sin". 

"He took holiness seriously, not just as a thing to talk about," he said.

Palau was best known for his large-scale evangelistic events, which were staged in dozens of countries around the world. His last was in Central Park in New York City in 2015, when 60,000 people attended. 

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, the same year that the autobiographical "Palau the Movie" was released. 

He said at the time that although he would miss his wife and sons, he was "ready" to go. 

"So everything is ready, and if the Lord wants to take me home in the next two months or two years, then I'm ready," he said.

Palau is survived by his wife Patricia and sons Kevin, Keith, Andrew and Stephen.

News
Mary Berry says her Christian faith sustained her after son’s tragic death
Mary Berry says her Christian faith sustained her after son’s tragic death

Beloved queen of cakes and former Great British Bake-Off judge, Dame Mary Berry, has spoken movingly about how her Christian faith was deepened and became her anchor following the tragic loss of her teenage son, William, more than three decades ago.  

Russell Brand, born-again Christian and media personality, charged with rape and sexual assault
Russell Brand, born-again Christian and media personality, charged with rape and sexual assault

He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 2 May.

Christian nurse who refused to call convicted paedophile a woman is suspended
Christian nurse who refused to call convicted paedophile a woman is suspended

A Christian NHS nurse has been suspended after she went public about a disciplinary investigation over her refusal to refer to a biologically male paedophile as a woman. 

YWAM responds to allegations of spiritual abuse
YWAM responds to allegations of spiritual abuse

YWAM has said it is "deeply sorry" after The Observer published a report in which former members alleged that they were subjected to strict controls, pressure and spiritual abuse.