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CAROLYN NICHOLS
Newswriter
ORLANDO (FBW)–Churches in Orlando are gearing up for the April 2006 Luis Palau Festival, and festival leadership has scheduled October meetings in preparation for the event. According to event organizers, the evangelist’s upcoming Florida festival has amassed more than 350 participating Central Florida churches and has garnered the support of the Greater Orlando and Seminole Baptist associations.
“We are excited that so many churches of so many denominations will be working together on this,” said Craig Chastain, media director for Luis Palau. “I’m sure that some of our participating churches have never worked together before.”
The massive festival will include free outdoor concerts by major Christian artists, extreme sports demonstrations and activities for children, along with preaching by Palau. The Orlando event will be held April 1-2 at the Citrus Bowl.
“We have been looking forward to coming to Orlando for several years. We love the area and are encouraged by the spirit of the churches,” Chastain said.
Palau, a native of Argentina, has preached to millions in 70 nations in a long career in evangelism. Based in Portland, Ore., he and his wife, Pat, have nine grandchildren.
Pastors and staff members of participating churches are invited to join Luis Palau and the Orlando festival leadership at a brunch Oct. 19; youth leaders will meet with Palau and his team for a brunch Oct. 20. First Presbyterian Church, Orlando, will host both brunches. Church representatives should RSVP for the events through Palau’s website, www.palau.org/orlando, by Oct. 5.
Chastain termed the brunches “an important component” in planning the April festival.
Festival leadership also is encouraging participating churches to become involved in the Purpose Driven Life Experience: Orlando 2006 in preparation for the festival. The evangelism and discipleship emphasis is designed for small group prayer and Bible study.
“The combination of prayer in small groups followed by the grand scale of Orlando Festival with Luis Palau, featuring great music and a clear Gospel message, will have a huge impact on Central Florida,” said Randy Burtis, director of the Orlando festival.
Palau’s 2003 festival on Fort Lauderdale beach was supported by more than 1,000 churches and was attended by an estimated 300,000. The “Great Music & Good News” Beachfest featured a 10,000-square-foot pro skateboard park, a VeggieTales children’s area, a Sports Zone staffed with Miami Dolphins players, and some of the inspirational world’s top rock, gospel and pop artists like TobyMac, Jaci Valasquez, Mary Mary, Jump 5, and Third Day.
The largest Palau festival was in Buenos Aires and was attended by almost one million. Palau and his team are currently in Washington, D.C., where a similar festival will be held Oct. 8-9; more than 850 churches are participating with a crowd of 100,000 expected.
Those anticipating the Orlando event may also drop in on the Washington, D.C., festival through live radio. The Washington broadcasts may be heard on the following Florida FM stations: Jacksonville, 91.3; Cambon, 91.3; Golden Lakes, 88.5; Gulf Breeze, 88.9; Key West, 91.5; Panama City, 88.5; and Sarasota, 89.1.