Renowned evangelist Luis Palau enters hospice following cancer battle

Dwight Widaman

4 years ago

Evangelist Luis Palau has been placed in hospice, his family announced this week. The 86-year-old has been battling lung cancer since 2018.

“You may have heard that Dad is not doing so well,” his son Andrew posted on Facebook. “He has been fighting lung cancer for more than three years. Sadly, at the beginning of the year that changed and Dad took a turn for the worse. He spent two weeks in the hospital in January, dealing with heart and lung issues. Although the doctors thought they had stabilized his condition and were happy to send him home, he returned to the hospital on Friday, February 19.

“After meeting with doctors, the decision was made to stop all treatment and start on hospice care. All the medications and treatments were proving to be too much for his body to handle. Last Tuesday, Dad returned home where he can rest, be more comfortable and spend time with family.”

When Palau originally shared his diagnosis, he said that he would not fear death. Rather he will be cherishing each day and that he looks forward to the day he will finally get to see God face to face. “I’m ready, I know it sounds crazy to say, ‘I can’t wait to go to heaven,'” he shared. “Now, it’s a reality for me.”

As an international evangelist, Palau’s preaching engagements have taken him across the globe – from Kansas City to the United Kingdom, China, Vietnam, the former Soviet Union and back to his birthplace in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He preached at what was billed his last evangelistic event in Madrid in June 2019.

Facebook Video of Palau from Thanksgiving:

“Thank you for your love and prayers,” Andrew added. “We are all at peace. We serve a good God who loves us beyond compare. Dad is pushing hard to the finish line just to see each of the grandchildren as his final heart’s desire. The Lord knows his actual timing, and Dad keeps reminding us in these last few days, ‘As for God, his way is perfect.'”

Andrew’s full message is below:

Dear friends, this is Andrew Palau. You may have heard that Dad is not doing so well. He has been fighting lung cancer for more than three years. For most of that time, he has felt great. It has been a blessing.

Sadly, at the beginning of the year that changed and Dad took a turn for the worse. He spent two weeks in the hospital in January, dealing with heart and lung issues. Although the doctors thought they had stabilized his condition and were happy to send him home, he returned to the hospital on Friday, February 19th.

After meeting with doctors, the decision was made to stop all treatment and start on hospice care. All the medications and treatments were proving to be too much for his body to handle. Last Tuesday, Dad returned home where he can rest, be more comfortable, and spend time with family.

We don’t know exactly how much time we have left with Dad, but the end seems near. He is in good spirits and not in pain. We know this is probably hard for you to hear. Please know that the entire family is so thankful for your encouragement, prayers, and friendship.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated in the days and weeks ahead. And if you want to send a note of encouragement, please don’t hesitate. You can write a comment below or send it to info@palau.org. We’re taking as much time as possible with Dad each day to read the emails and notes we receive.

Thank you for your love and prayers. We are all at peace. We serve a good God who loves us beyond compare. Dad is pushing hard to the finish line just to see each of the grandchildren as his final heart’s desire. The Lord knows his actual timing, and Dad keeps reminding us in these last few days, “As for God, His way is perfect.”

–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice