"Luis inspired me to be sold out for Jesus." —Larry Ortega

—by Larry Ortega

Luis inspired me to be sold out for Jesus. I’m sad right now and that is OK.

—Larry Ortega

As I read a recent letter from Luis, memories of our friend came streaming back from my first encounter with Luis Palau. My first Luis Palau crusade took place at the Suns arena in the early 90’s. A band that my son was involved with won the local Christian “battle of the bands” to open for DC Talk. That was really cool. I was trained as a counselor, ready to lead someone to Jesus and connect them to a local church. My wife worked with Ray Artigue and the Sun organization to help promote the event.

Fast forward 15 years and the spring of 2007. I received an invitation from a long-time friend and festival chair from Tampa Florida. “Come out to Florida to see Luis preach in a new format” was the invitation. The Luis Palau Association (LPA) had created a new model, the festival setting, replacing the aging crusade model.

It was hosted at the Raymond James Stadium, you may remember the stadium from this year’s Super Bowl. The Saturday of the festival it rained. Still, people showed up eager to hear the music of TobyMac and other musical artists. The gospel was compelling, and the church’s outreach was proven very effective. God connected me to some very pivotal people during that festival.

Two years later, I visited Portland, and the LPA festival planned in a park along the river. Again, God’s plan for some of the next chapters in my life was revealed. We encountered weather arriving to Phoenix from Portland that hot July night. We had to circle the airport, twice before we landed. The desert winds needed to subside, and God revealed the exact park for our festival. Not exactly like the park along the Willamette River in Portland but a place in the desert to encounter God and drink from living water.

Instead of one guy barking at the moon for a festival in Phoenix, there were two.

Luis inspired me to be sold out for Jesus. I’m sad right now and that is OK.

See you in Heaven,
Larry Ortega