I’ve always enjoyed true stories that illustrate the truth of the angel’s announcement to the shepherds on the night of Jesus Christ’s birth: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). To follow is one of those stories.
In October 1978, Luis Palau, “the Billy Graham of Latin America,” conducted a three-week evangelism campaign in three major cities in Bolivia. A Presidential Prayer Breakfast was held with Bolivia’s new President, General Juan Pereda Asbun, twenty-five high ranking military officers, eight cabinet members, and many other leaders.
In Palau’s twenty-five-minute address, he read Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and outlined the positive national benefits that result from a country seeking and obeying the Lord. In response, President Pereda stood and reaffirmed the importance of setting “personal and national spiritual priorities.”
Afterward, in a private meeting with the President, Palau asked Pereda about the condition of his own soul. The evangelist shared the Gospel (good news) of forgiveness and salvation through faith in Christ and His atoning death on the cross. There in his presidential office, Pereda bowed his head and prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior.
During a press conference at a prestigious La Paz hotel that same week, Palau noticed when the eleven-year-old daughter of the hotel’s elevator operator slipped into the meeting room. As she stood quietly nearby the evangelist, he thought she might desire a copy of one of the books he had written. He picked up one of them, autographed it, and handed it to her, while saying with a smile, “The Lord bless you, sweetheart.”
“Mr. Palau,” the young girl responded unexpectedly, “what I really wanted to ask you was how I could receive Jesus in my heart.” The previous evening she had watched the evangelist counsel people on national television. She had seen him lead a high school student to Christ and now desired to receive the Savior herself.
The press conference was brought to a hasty end and the newsmen were asked to leave. Palau then prayed with the girl as she received Jesus as her Savior. “Publicity is necessary and fine,” he commented afterward, “but the rest of their questions would have to wait until another time.” Quoting 2 Corinthians 6:2, he added: “Now is the day of salvation.”
180,000 people attended those three weeks of evangelistic meetings in Bolivia. More than 18,900 individuals made public decisions, committing their lives to Christ. Like President Pereda and the elevator operator’s daughter, those trusting in Jesus were of all ages and from all walks of life.
This Christmas season we exalt our Lord Jesus Christ for coming as the Savior for all people. If you have not yet done so, may God graciously draw you to believe and receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
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The above narrative is largely drawn from Luis Palau: Calling America and the Nations to Christ (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994).
Copyright 2024 by Vance E. Christie
