Is Luis Palau the Next Billy Graham?

Oct. 8, 2005 — -- It doesn't look like a church. It's a huge party -- a festival -- for God. And you've probably never heard of the headliner: Luis Palau.

Palau, 70, has been preaching since he was a 12-year-old in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

But for the past six years, he's been putting on these massive festivals with Christian rock bands, a kids' play land and skateboards -- all suggestions from his adult sons.

"I thought, what's skateboarding? I mean, I'm a grandpa, what do I know?" said Palau. "And then, suddenly, the crowds were there and they began to double, then triple, now 10 times what we used to have before."

Some believe that Palau, who is already known as the Billy Graham of Latin America, may take over the mantle of America's leading evangelist.

"Luis Palau is the best-kept secret God ever had," said actor Stephen Baldwin.

Baldwin works closely with Palau, and is the driving force behind a national tour of Christian skateboarders.

"He's just a guy who is probably more unknown -- for the reason being that he's really quite humble," Baldwin said.

Just weeks ago, the president invited Palau to speak at the national remembrance for Katrina victims.

Palau feels honored when people call him the next Billy Graham.

"I mean, I revere Billy Graham," he said.