While conducting Festival Buenos Aires 2008 in Argentina, evangelist Luis Palau, author of A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and a Christian received notification Saturday, Mar. 15, that the President of Argentina would meet with him on the following Monday. If there had been one thing missing from the Festival Buenos Aires 2008, it was an official meeting with the President of the country. [See the Zondervan Blog for photos.]
Palau had shown some interest in talking to Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. "I would like to speak with the President," he announced to the media. The meeting took place Mar. 17 in the President’s office. Present were President Kirchner, the Minister of Justice, Security and Human Rights, Anibal Fernandez, and the Secretary of the Cabinet, Guillermo Oliveri. Dr. Palau was accompanied by Pastor Ruben Proietti, General Director of the Festival and Pastor Hugo Baravalle, president of ACIERA. Palau gave the First Lady a copy of his book, titled in Spanish A Friendly Dialogue Between a Chinese Atheist and an Argentine Christian. That book led to a discussion about several interesting international topics.
Both had a profitable dialogue with no set agenda. The President noted that she had been following the development of the Festival through the media and had been impressed with the quality and quantity of people involved in the event. She made note of the portion of the Festival where the Lord’s Prayer was recited to a “hip-hop” beat. In regard to that statement, Palau responded that those types of recitation are a manifestation of a happy life lived with Jesus in your heart. Cristina Fernandez compared this event to political events which had been held at the same location and said that she was astounded by what had occurred.
The President emphasized that her government was one that assured everyone of being able to live their lives rejoicing in the freedom that each of their religions practiced. While talking about different cultures and trips that Palau had taken around the world, the President was interested in the story about how the Minister of Communications in China listened intently to Palau’s story. That conversation is what began the creation of his latest book mentioned above. Mrs. Cristina also showed interest in the fact that a Chinese minister, a scientist and an atheist listened closely to Palau’s story about the death of his father, who died trusting and affirming the promises in the Bible, his faith in Jesus Christ and the peace that only a Christian can experience.
Palau was honored by the President’s willingness to meet with him and also her interest and knowledge about what the evangelical churches in her country had just accomplished. He saw that she understood the role that the churches played in that society. The President also mentioned how necessary it was for the Argentine people to hear the message that Dr. Palau had preached regarding Christian values and the family being the foundation of society.
Dr. Palau prayed for the President, her family and her job. He prayed that "Argentina would shine with God's blessing”.
Over last Friday and Saturday, the Say Yes to Life Festival, with Dr. Luis Palau, took place. The event was crowded -- over one hundred thousand people attended. Some of the artists who participated were Maximiliano Guerra, Radamel Falcao, Martin Russo, Amelita Baltar and Vico C. It was an event for the whole family with a touch of gold – the message of Jesus Christ.
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