More than 550 local churches have signed up for the two-day Christian event that targets outreach to the masses more than just the regular churchgoers. Thus, billboards, local radio stations and a front page landing in the Houston Chronicle have prepared the festival for an anticipated crowd of 200,000 this weekend at Eleanor Tinsley Park.
"Nothing like CityFest has ever happened in Houston, but (throughout the preparation process) the doors have never stopped opening," said Dave Peterson, a well-known spiritual leader in the Houston area, at a press conference Thursday.
"We?re trying to make Houston a great place to live, and together with the people who daily walk out their faith in Jesus Christ, the influence on others is going to be incredible. Jesus Christ gives us a future.
?
In the artist line-up for CityFest is vocalist/songwriter/performer Michelle Williams, once a member of the best-selling female trio Destiny's Child. Williams released two gospel albums and has toured with legend Shirley Caesar.
Other artists include Gospel Music Association's Artist of the Year Chris Tomlin, whose songs are sung in churches around the world; pop-punk band Hawk Nelson; Grammy award-winning Kirk Franklin; critically-acclaimed Catholic artist Matt Maher; Wynonna Judd, critically lauded as one of the finest vocalists of our time; BarlowGirl who has received numerous GMA nominations; and Latin artists Marcos Witt and "El Puma" Rodriguez.
For the first time, the Palau festival will feature a segment entirely in Spanish. Other festival highlights include a Kids' Block Party with games and activities; skaters and BMX bikers in a live demo along with motocross; and Sports Zone.
"This is going to be a fun weekend for Houston, and it will be a spiritually renewing weekend. The most important thing that will happen is winning people to Christ," said Drayton McLane, owner of the Houston Astros baseball team.
Known across the globe for his unchurch-like open-air festivals with a Christian message, Palau said, "It took me 40 years to become an overnight success," according to the Houston Chronicle.
"I always thought someday I'd preach in the big cities of America."
Palau brought his festival to the nation's capital for the first time last year and his most recent festival in Orlando drew a crowd of over 85,000.
He co-wrote a book, released this year, with atheist Zhao Qizheng, former spokesman for Communist China's Cabinet.
Riverside Talks: A Friendly Dialogue between an Atheist and a Christian represents a new day for "open and honest dialogue" between the two cultures, said Palau.
The book is due out in the U.S.
on Dec. 1.
News RSS