In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Kevin Palau of the Luis Palau Association to explore what everyday evangelism can look like in your own neighborhood. Kevin shares how praying by name for his neighbors in unchurched Portland opened unexpected doors—leading to gatherings, shared meals, acts of service, and genuine spiritual conversations. Together, they unpack the BLESS practices (Begin with prayer, Listen with care, Eat together, Serve with love, Share your story), rooted in the BLESS app from Bless Every Home, which the Palau Association recently acquired to expand its reach. The conversation also touches on the importance of hospitality, how believers earn the right to be heard, and why evangelism is less about strategy and more about joining the work the Holy Spirit is already doing. Kevin also offers a broader look at the Palau Association's ministry—from city gospel movements and festivals to online evangelism in an age of emerging AI—encouraging listeners that sharing faith faithfully begins right outside their front door. Topics(0:00) Introduction (0:59) Meet Kevin Palau (3:13) Why Portland shapes evangelism (4:54) Mark's Palau Crusade memory (9:14) How the BLESS method works (18:40) Diversity in your neighborhood (27:53) Meals and mission (29:09) Hospitality in practice (42:53) Evangelism reframed (44:30) Holy Spirit conversations (48:47) Digital outreach and AI (53:59) Palau Ministry today (58:05) Conclusion ResourcesPalau WebsiteThe Bless AppAsk Us Anything: info@denisonforum.orgSign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe About Kevin PalauKevin Palau is the President and CEO of the Luis Palau Association. Since taking the reins in the late 90s, Kevin has helped transform the landscape of modern evangelism. He’s the visionary behind City Gospel Movements, a global initiative that has united tens of thousands of churches to serve their local communities through long-term, sustainable partnerships. Kevin is also a pioneer in the digital space, advising on some of the largest online Gospel campaigns in history, and is the author of Unlikely, a book detailing the power of radical collaboration. Beyond his global work, he leads TogetherPDX in his home state of Oregon and serves on the boards of Alpha USA, Christians Against Poverty, Transforming the Bay with Christ. Kevin lives in Beaverton, Oregon, with his wife, Michelle. They have three grown children and two grandchildren. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries. Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco. Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org. All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.
