Prominent Evangelist preaches at Naperville church

A prominent Christian evangelist known by some as "the Billy Graham of Latin America" spent the weekend preaching at Calvary Church in Naperville.

Luis Palau spent the better part of two services Sunday imploring his audience to accept Christian dogma and "accept Jesus into your lives."

"Would that be a staggering event?" he asked his audience. "You better believe it."

Palau, who began preaching at age 18, had a close relationship with Billy Graham and has been characterized by some as Graham's successor. He had worked with Graham as a Spanish translator, and Graham contributed seed money to Palau to start his own ministry in Oregon.

Palau has ministered in 72 countries around the world and has retained a strong base of support in Latin America.

"He is just an honest man," said Randal Ross, pastor of Calvary Church, who has traveled on missionary trips with Palau to the former Soviet Union. "What you see here is what you get. Just to see how he can impact people with the Gospel is something special."

Much of Palau's nearly hourlong sermon focused on impressing on his audience the power that conversion to Christianity can make on their lives.

"We all have guilt and garbage in our lives," he said. "Many cover it up and don't talk about it, but we all have a story. ... A moment of decision can lead to a lifetime of change."