Luis Palau to speak at baccalaureate

World renowned evangelist Dr. Luis Palau will be the main speaker for Liberty University’s baccalaureate service in the Vines Center 6 p.m. on Friday, May 11.

“It’s really exciting that (Palau) is coming to Liberty,” junior Ismael Pineda said. “He’s somebody who is known around the world for being passionate about spreading the gospel. I’m really excited to hear him speak at the Baccalaureate Service since I’m going to be here for commencement.”

According to Palau’s website biography, around 3,500 people listen to his radio broadcasts in both English and Spanish throughout 48 countries. He has shared the gospel with around 1 billion people, authored about 50 books and assisted other evangelists such as Billy Graham, whom he helped with Spanish translation.

Along with his wife Pat, Palau has been a missionary since 1962 and now has a fulltime staff of over 100 people operating over four continents.

“It’s encouraging to know that Liberty continues to open the door for a global perspective with Luis Palau,” senior LJ Grab said. “He’s not just some guy who started a church in America, but he’s an international speaker who makes a difference on different continents. The kingdom of God is more than just America.”

Liberty students will have the opportunity to hear from a speaker whose reputation as an evangelist is known throughout the world. Palau is originally from Argentina but came to the United States to study at Multnomah Biblical Seminary before doing missions work throughout Latin America and Western Europe.

The Luis Palau Association, which has headquarters in Portland, Oregon, was featured in Reader’s Digests’ article “10 Reasons to Love America” for doing city-wide service called the Season of Service, which targeted the homeless, the environment, public schools and community projects.

The Luis Palau Association began a nontraditional way to spreading the gospel through an “open arms” approach of festival evangelism that has been their model since 1999.

The Baccalaureate is not a graduate processional, and students should feel free to sit with their family and friends during the service. Faculty will be processing in for the service and early admittance is encouraged.

A handicap parking lot will be available for those with handicap parking credentials in the Furnace lot across from the Vines Center. Childcare will also be available from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. for no charge at Thomas Road Baptist Church. Signs will be posted around the church to direct anyone in need of the service to the Early Learning Center.

For the Baccalaureate Service, students may wear their Commencement regalia or military uniform, but it is not a requirement. More information on the Baccalaureate Service or Commencement can be found on Liberty University’s Registrar web page.

According to Palau’s secretary Jane Stradley, he is currently in Argentina and will not be back in the States until May 1 but is very excited to be speaking at the Baccalaureate Service. Palau came to the university several years ago and is looking forward to returning to speak.