Kevin Palau (son of evangelist Luis Palau) writes about his experiences working in the ranks of the Luis Palau Association since 1985 and now directing the day-to-day operations since the late 1990s. Palau is the founding editor of GospelMovements.org and speaks at national conferences such as Catalyst, Movement Day and Q Ideas. In UNLIKELY, he shares how the LPA ministry has partnered with local leaders in Portland, OR, to create some of the most successful outreaches in their community.

Palau’s book isn’t simply another text that relates the statistics on how effective their mutual efforts are at alleviating suffering in their city. Rather, it is a call to Christians everywhere to rethink how they view those who differ from themselves and what Christ expects them to do with those variances. One of Palau’s closest friends and allies include the former mayor of Portland, Sam Adams, a publicly gay man. While both share a mutual respect for one another, they have chosen to disagree on certain areas and put those differences aside so that they can focus on the greater goal of helping the needy in Portland.

"Christians will find every idea of Palau’s so fresh and inviting, yet equally as challenging, they will need to read, digest and then reread each chapter."

Palau explains how their unlikely friendship developed and how they have forged a sincere and strong bond over the years as they both worked hard to dismantle preconceived ideas of who the other was. Taking down the stereotypes (of Christians and gays alike) and viewing each individual as a unique person jumpstarted their partnership into something truly remarkable. Palau shares the nitty-gritty details and the sometimes not-so-pretty happenings between the Christian and LGBT communities. However, both sides were determined to see the bigger picture of service to those around them, and they pushed past previous painful encounters to start afresh.

Not only will readers find encouragement and biblical instruction throughout this important message, they also will discover practical ways to get more involved in their local community. Palau describes the highs and lows of venturing into the unknown territory of today’s evangelistic world, noting that what worked in years past doesn’t work anymore. With great respect given to the evangelists of the past such as Billy Graham, he explores fresh ways of reaching out in this post-Christian world.

Palau specifically explains how to find common ground in a world of diversity; their partnership at Roosevelt High School; how powerful unity is and how it’s a prerequisite to service; how to go deep locally to make a difference; and how similar individuals are at the heart of all things. Christians will find every idea of Palau’s so fresh and inviting, yet equally as challenging, they will need to read, digest and then reread each chapter. Palau’s writing is engaging from start to finish, and every thought he shares is done with grace and humility. UNLIKELY is a book for our times.