KINGSTON, JAMAICA (ANS) -- While major relief efforts have been dedicated to Haiti, the quiet neighboring island of Jamaica lies in wait for relief of another kind … spiritual relief. The island is comparable in size to Connecticut and home of a variety of religions practiced by its nearly 3 million people, many of whom are in need of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Best Dressed 50 Fest (Photo: Luis Palau Association 2010)

Answering the invitation to bring the Gospel message, world evangelist Andrew Palau will do just that at the Fun in the Son Gospel Festival on March 20, 2010, in the capital city of Kingston.

“Jamaica has long had a special place in my heart,” said Palau, who first received Christ when he was 27 years old at his father Luis Palau’s 1993 Kingston crusade. It’s also where he met his now wife Wendy, a native of the island.
 

A view of Flight AA331 (Photo by Andrew Palau after he escaped from the plane)

And, most recently, it’s where their family of five survived the American Airlines Flight #331 crash landing just days before Christmas. “I can’t wait to go back and tell the urgent message of hope and life in Christ,” he said.

In addition to Andrew’s Gospel message, the festival will feature top Jamaican musicians Papa San, DJ Nicholas and Carlene Davis, along with the United States’ Grammy-winning, multi-platinum gospel artist Kirk Franklin. A sports zone, kids’ area, and more will be available for everyone at Jamaica College Grounds from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. A neighboring “Son Village” will host a food court and a variety of social services.

This is the eighth annual Fun in the Son Christian music festival, and Andrew’s fourth consecutive year ministering in Jamaica. Originally created to provide a wholesome Spring Break alternative for tourists, as well as an outreach to Jamaicans, this year the event is anticipated to draw 30,000 people.
 

Andrew and Wendy Palau

The festival is a cooperative effort between three groups: Glory Music, a Jamaican ministry devoted to raising up young Christian musicians in the Jamaican culture; Jamaica Broilers, a prominent Jamaican company with strong Christian leadership; and the Luis Palau Association, headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. At the 2008 “Best Dressed 50 Fest” outreach, Andrew, Luis, and partner evangelists shared the Good News face-to-face with more than 300,000 people in three cities.

Ministry teams from the U.S. are partnering with LPA and Fun in the Son to do outreach and compassion events the week prior to the festival. Individuals or church groups interested in going next year may contact Kristi Morris, ministry teams coordinator, at kristi.morris@palau.org.

Future 2010 Andrew Palau festivals include Yakima, Washington and Kampala, Uganda. See http://andrew.palau.org