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Evangelist Luis Palau, holding the last evangelistic crusade in Hong Kong before the British colony reverts to Chinese sovereignty, preached a message of hope to those facing an uncertain future.

One out of four Christians has either left the territory or holds a foreign passport in anticipation of leaving before the June 30 switch to Communist rule (CT, Sept. 11, 1995, p 54).

Yet, in a four-day campaign that ended April 13, Palau commended those believers who have decided to remain in the territory of 6 million.

"Those who have stayed have chosen to do so because there is a sense that God wants them to," Palau says. "There is a sense of anticipation that the future could mean salvation spiritually for millions of Chinese."

Approximately 130,000 people attended the crusade. Even though Chinese officials have guaranteed religious freedom after July 1, they announced on April 9—a day before the crusade began—that there will be new restrictions on the rights of public protest and free association.

Palau urged those assembled to be optimistic about opportunities in the new Hong Kong. "Is there hope for society?" the Portland, Oregon-based evangelist asked the crowd. "The answer from the Bible is yes, a thousand times yes. God is going to use you from Hong Kong to bless all of China."

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May 19 1997, Vol. 41, No. 6