Thousands flock to NYC for the "Latino Billy Graham"
NEW YORK -- With arms open toward the sky, eyes closed in the beating sun, thousands gathered on Saturday for what was anticipated to be one of the largest religious events in New York in decades.
The free Christian religious gathering featured music, speakers, and its main headliner, one of the world's leading evangelists, Luis Palau.
Palau said part of why he wanted to come to New York is to speak to the "immigrants and the poor" who he said can often "feel lonely in the big city."
"You bring them back to God as one and there comes a sense of belonging. And I think it makes foreigners or immigrants quickly feel 'I am an American' and I can love all these people with their different ways," Palau told CBS News.
The 80 year-old is of Argentinian descent and spoke to the crowd in both English and Spanish.
One organizer said 1,700 churches in New York participated in the event, and of those 900 were Hispanic. Organizers had anticipated around 60,000 attendees.
The festival featured New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, and former New York Yankees great, Mariano Rivera.
Rivera told CBS News he has been a Christian for 20 years and supports Palau as his "brother in Christ."
"His role is to present the Gospel to all kind, to all kind (sic) of people," said Rivera.
Palau has been dubbed the "Latino Billy Graham." Graham was a mentor of Palau, who credited him with giving excellent advice throughout the years. Graham was the last evangelist to lead a rally on the Great Lawn in 1991.
"He was a champion in working in large cities and that was always my passion," said Palau.
Participants like Cecile Gordon, who came from Connecticut, called the gathering in New York "momentous."
"[Palau] wants us all to be saved so we can once again be united, united in Christ," said Gordon.
For Palau his message of the Gospel was specific to New York. "In New York I discovered young people and adults are more hungry spiritually than anybody could ever guess."