'Billy Graham of Latin America' coming to Naperville
Christian evangelist Luis Palau, whom some have called "The Billy Graham of Latin America," is expected to pack the auditorium this weekend at Calvary Church in Naperville.
In addition to leading a Spanish-language service on Friday, he also will give services in English on Saturday and Sunday. Attendance is free.
The Argentine-born Palau, who lives in Portland, is a well-known figure throughout Latin America and the biggest "name" among the Latino community that Calvary Church has ever hosted, said Rev. Alberto Lopez, who leads the Spanish-language ministry of Calvary Church. Until now, the biggest Latino event at the church was a concert by Texas-based Christian band Salvador a couple of years ago, he said.
Since Palau started preaching in the 1970s, he has reportedly spoken in person to more than 25 million people in 72 countries. His sermons also are broadcast in English and Spanish from more than 2,600 radio stations in 42 countries.
"(Palau) is a grandpa figure that gives you a message of hope, purpose and love," Lopez said. "He makes you really understand the message that God loves you, and he does (so) in a nonthreatening way. He is very down-to-earth."
The church worked for about a year to bring Palau to Naperville, said Senior Pastor Randall Ross, who has known Palau for about 20 years. The two met when Ross was a pastor in Texas, and Ross later accompanied Palau on an evangelical trip to Russia in 1989.
"We got 50,000 Bibles shipped over. They were the first legal Bibles in the country," Ross said. "It was like handing out money. It was quite an experience."
Despite being a world-renowned preacher, Palau has none of the affectations that fame can bring along, Ross said.
"He's a really nice guy. He's not one of those high-maintenance TV preachers," he said. "In that arena, it's nice to see fellows who are down-to-earth and genuinely care about people."
Palau's main strength is that he speaks in simple, direct terms, said Calvary Church member Marcos Uson of Plainfield.
"His message is not very different from any other Evangelical message, but he has a very simple way of presenting Jesus Christ," Uson said. "He doesn't use terminology that the people can't understand. That makes a difference."
Uson was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his father was a church pastor. There in the 1990s he attended a few of Palau's famous "festivals," two-day, family-friendly events that feature music, food, children's activities and even BMX races.
"He has a different approach, he relates the message to everyday things," Uson said. "He is very clear, and he has a calm, firm tone of voice."
The Spanish-language ministry of Calvary Church, whose total congregation numbers about 6,000, comprises about 400 people, said Lopez, who has been at the church for six years. After starting with a Sunday class, it now offers two Spanish-language services on Sunday, plus classes on Wednesday nights, support groups on Thursday nights and small, home-based groups on Sunday nights, he said.
Spanish-speaking members come from 17 countries plus Puerto Rico, Lopez said, "close to every country in Latin America except Uruguay and Paraguay."
Calvary's main auditorium seats about 2,700 people and up to 1,500 more people can watch live broadcasts of Palau's services in smaller auditoriums in the church.
The church, at 9S200 Route 59, Naperville, should have enough parking to accommodate everyone, Lopez said. The Spanish-language service is at 7 p.m. Friday. English-language services are at 5 p.m. Saturday, and at 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday. For information, call (630) 585-3243.
If you go
What: Pastor Luis Palau leads services in English and Spanish
When: Spanish services at 7 p.m. Friday; English services at 5 p.m. Saturday, and 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. SundayWhere: Calvary Church, 9S200 Route 59, Naperville
Cost: Free
Info: (630) 585-3243 or calvarynaperville.org