Intentional Evangelism Luis Palau
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SHARING THE GOOD NEWS Luis Palau BeachFest Fast Facts: • The Luis Palau BeachFest was a event for the by Jim Byrne whole family. • This BeachFest in Fort Lauderdale had a Veggie Tales Children’s area, where thousands of kids Editor’s note: During the war in Iraq, news organiza- came for fun, games, face painting, and to see tions “embedded” hundreds of reporters with troops to give Bob & Larry (Veggie Tales characters, for the real-time, first-hand accounts of the conflict. We embed- uninitiated) present the gospel. ded our Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator, Jim Byrne, to • In the Sports Zone, some of the Miami Dol- give us an account of a youth-oriented Spring Break evan- phins had an area where they shared their testi- gelistic event, the Luis Palau BeachFest in Fort Lauderdale, monies and met young people. Florida, on March 22-23. With more than 300,000 in atten- • There was a World Class Skate Park assem- dance, it was one of the largest festivals in North American bled on the beach, where top pro skaters per- history. Here is his story. formed and shared their faith to a large crowd of teenagers (seating for 5,000, yet thousands stood there leaning against the corner of the more were standing). stage fighting back the tears as Luis Palau • There was a festival Food Court, along with I said, “You may feel too dirty for God, but He inflatable attractions. Everything was free but wants you tonight.” Why was I overcome with this the food. emotion? I’ve heard evangelists before; I’ve known Intentional • On stage were Christian musicians—Third Evangelism Christ and His life-giving grace for years. Was I Day, TobyMac, Jaci Velasquez, Mary Mary, Pillar, Based on sensitivity to the Holy touched for the thousands in the crowd, or for Spirit’s leading, we reach out Avalon, Yuri, Hezekiah Walker, Jump5, The Kati- to students, sharing Christ in a nas, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and The Luis myself? I guess it was both. loving, relational manner. Palau Praise Band. He connected with all that were there. The mes- • It had great support from the area. About sage seemed aimed at young people, but all ages 1,100 churches in the area sponsored BeachFest, were responding. Young children were there with as well as more than 60 companies and organi- elderly, and they were right with him. With Beach- zations. Fest being held in South Florida, I had thought it • As a part of BeachFest, service was not forgot- would be mostly Latin people, but African-Ameri- ten. Canned goods were collected and given cans, Asians, as well as Caucasians, were focused to faith-based organizations. And, college stu- in. As I peered out over the mass, I saw them fixed dents built a home with Habitat for Humanity on his every word. They were listening intently to International the week before BeachFest. Jim Luis Palau speak in his distinct accent. was able to be there for the dedication and pre- sentation of the home to a single mother. She My unspoken criticisms about mass evangelism was overjoyed. were being challenged. It was clear that the • For more information: www.beachfest.org. method was very effective. But was the message …continued on page 27 June 2003 3 BEACHFEST continued from page 27... REACHINGREACHING THETHE WORLD’SWORLD’S YOUTHYOUTH being “watered down?” In the desire to follow-up?” Just like many of the events connect with a large group, did he com- I’ve attended, planned, even spoken at, promise the power of the gospel to there would be young people who would make the masses feel comfortable? I had pray the sinner’s prayer, but never con- received teaching in seminary about the nect with a church or fellowship group. dangers of contextualization—merging How would this event deal with the big the gospel into the existing culture to issue of helping these new converts carry make it more responsive. Was the mes- on with Christ? sage being tampered with in order to After giving the call, Luis said that there conform to the culture? Would he play were many “Friends of the Festival” with down sin to win their hearing? visors in the crowd. He held up a visor As if on cue to my internal doubts, Palau and said, “They want to help you under- then stated, “You may have had an abor- stand this new life.” tion and killed your unborn baby. That’s Thousands of visor-wearing “Friends of bad, but God can clean you tonight. He the Festival” had been trained over the can forgive that terrible sin.” I looked out past weeks. I had been to one night of the and saw young women crying. I bowed training, and was pretty impressed. It and prayed silently. There were surely was simple, informative and it kept on people who needed to hear of God’s topic. Those being trained were given a grace tonight. I can say by any evaluation booklet to fill out, to guide the ones that he spoke boldly, and clearly repre- who responded to the gospel message sented the gospel of Christ to this crowd. with helpful follow-up. I looked out over But inside I was asking, “What of the the crowd and saw pairs and groups of June 2003 27 BEACHFEST continued... J U N E 2 0 0 3 VOLUME 21, NUMBER 2 ©2003 NNYM This magazine is published quarterly by the National Network of Youth Ministries 12335 World Trade Drive, Suite 16 San Diego, California 92128 Telephone: 858 451 1111 Fax: 858 451 6900 E-mail: [email protected] www.youthworkers.net President Paul Fleischmann Executive Director Doug Tegner Managing Editor Mark Stephens people, huddled together filling out this Beach Parties” across America, with about Senior Editor Doug Clark booklet as they had been instructed. It 40,000 in attendance. It is estimated Art Director Joel Sawyer Advertising Manager Roy Burrows was amazing—I thought, “This is work- that approximately 3,600 people received Copy Editor Sharon Albritton ing!” Christ at those beach parties! Distribution Manager Joel Sawyer In the midst of this mass event, each I’m excited because we are bringing person was being personally talked to a Luis Palau Festival to the Washington, and personally connected to a church in DC area. That’s exciting enough, but the area. In my 29 years of ministry, I behind the event will be a chance to pull don’t think I’ve ever seen this done as together churches and ministries here Regional Coordinators Great Lakes Open Great Plains Open In the midst of this mass event, each person was being Mid Atlantic Jim Byrne New England David Kemper personally talked to and personally connected to a Northwest Chris Renzelman South Central Mike Work church in the area. Southeast Sue McAllister Southwest Mike De Vito effectively in groups of 300, let alone this in metro DC that have never connected group of 300,000. before. We are a divided city—racially, The second night was the same, except politically, economically, socially. for the rain. The message was delayed for Can God unite His people here in DC? about an hour due to the downpour. Of course He can! Pray for us as we plan As I was walking through the crowd the Washington DC Festival. It’s my hope during the call, I saw a young Asian that God will use that time to unite His woman in her early twenties, standing on Church in this city! the outskirts of the crowd. She crushed out her cigarette, bowed her head and prayed. She then approached an older woman in a visor. I don’t think she came to the Florida beach to get clean, but she might Jim Byrne, a veteran youth have left clean. pastor, serves as the Mid- Atlantic Regional Coordina- BeachFest made a great impact tor for the Network. in the area socially as well as spiri- He teaches youth ministry tually. But the impact intentionally in a number of settings, extended beyond South Florida. including the Reformed Satellite hook-ups brought part of Theological Seminary. BeachFest to about 350 “Youth Jim and his wife, Jenny, have two sons, Jacob and Joshua. March 2003 29.