At a recent gathering in Portland, Oregon, hundreds of local pastors cozied up in a packed church gym to hear grizzled evangelist Luis Palau share wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of gospel preaching. Pastor Rick McKinley had questions for Palau—both on "dreaming big dreams," and the difficult details that such a lofty aspiration demands in a culture that squints at proselytizing.

McKinley: Twenty-five years ago, I heard you preach on "dreaming great dreams." At that time, you were going to preach the gospel to the Queen of England—something you'd dreamed of your whole life. How is God growing that desire for great dreams in you?

Palau: I still quote the missionaries. You know? They taught us "the whole world." That is a great dream. But probably half the world still has not heard John 3:16 properly explained. So, I keep looking forward for more opportunities, more open doors, more possibilities.

That dream is not just way out there in Asia or Europe, ...