OAXACA, MEXICO (ANS) -- As the economy continues to downshift in markets around the globe, world evangelist Luis Palau continues to bring his message of eternal hope and encouragement to millions.

Luis Palau shares the Good News at the two-day festival in Oaxaca, Mexico on Friday, November 14, 2008.

Joining with local churches and government agencies, Palau campaigns are meeting the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in some of the hardest hit parts of the world, according to a media release from the Luis Palau organization.

Palau's most recent campaign with his son and fellow evangelist Andrew took him to the southern state of Oaxaca, Mexico, November 12-15.

The media release says that in a partnership with nearly 350 local churches, father and son shared the Good News in person with more than 168,000 individuals throughout the region and recorded an amazing 11,193 decisions to follow Jesus Christ.

According to Daniel Gurrion, Oaxaca state representative, “This proved to be the largest evangelistic campaign the region has ever seen.”

Andrew Palau (and Spanish interpreter) shares the Gospel at the festival in Huatulco, Mexico on Wednesday, November 12, 2008.

While Luis focused much of his attention on the capital city of Oaxaca, his son Andrew spent several days earlier in the week in the coastal city of Huatulco. This was the first Andrew Palau festival held in the country. Luis has served Mexico through evangelistic campaigns and gatherings over the last 40 years.

In addition to the historic campaigns in Oaxaca and Huatulco, a unique partnership with the government of Oaxaca, Mission Increase Foundation of Oregon, and Forward Edge International helped reach another 6,259 individuals through a major service effort, the release stated.

Luis and son Andrew Palau’s festivals in Huatulco and Oaxaca, Mexico, bring the Gospel message to 150,000 people November 12-15, 2008.

Medical, dental, and eye exams were offered to the area’s most needy. Further initiatives throughout the week included building projects for the homeless and a wide-scale feeding program for thousands of local youth.

“I have always had a heart for Mexico,” said Luis Palau.

“Having lived in this beautiful country from 1968 to 1971 with my wife and kids, it is a blessing to be able to return and serve in this way. To offer our encouragement and support; to share the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ with so many in this area – I couldn’t ask for anything more. To God alone be all the glory!”

Luis Palau’s first Mexico crusade was in 1966. He has returned close to 50 times since then. His Spanish language radio show “Luis Palau Responde” has been heard throughout Mexico – and in most of Latin America – for decades. His next major international outreach will be in Guatemala City in March, 2009.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Kevin Palau 503-614-1500
kevin.palau@palau.org
www.palau.org

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael has traveled to Albania and the former Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany and the former Czechoslovakia, Israel,and Canada. He has reported for ANS from Jordan, China, Russia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Michael's involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International.