K. A. Paul

There’s a remarkably huge story on Indian-born evangelist Dr. K. A. Paul, described as the world’s most popular evangelist, in the May 17 issue of The New Republic . The story is weird not only for its length ( TNR is not given to reporting on the latest evangelistic trends, much less devoting 4 1/2 pages to it) but also for its tone. Michelle Cottle apparently wants us to be amazed and appalled at Paul’s penchant for spending time with sinners: “Dr. Paul . . . has counseled scores of corrupt political leaders at all levels of government, as well as warlords, rebels, and terrorists from Mumbai to Manila to Mogadishu. By Paul’s estimate, he has gone mano a mano with the leaders of every significant terrorist and rebel group in the 89 countries where his ministry [Global Peace Initiative] operates. Far from being put off by the wickedness of his flock, Paul’s philosophy seems to be: The blacker the soul, the greater the need for redemption. Paul’s aim is to foster global peace, in large part by personally ‘transforming the lives and changing the hearts’ of some of the world’s most ruthless war-mongers.” Paul’s Houston-based ministry also concentrates on assisting the poorest of the poor throughout the world. Cottle’s “story,” such as it is, is Paul’s lack of reputation, fame, and success in America.

Paul seems like a handful ?Eperhaps two or three handfuls; he makes no secret of his successes in dealing with toughs and tyrants (Charles Taylor and Guy Philippe are among the recent ones) and seems a brash fellow to the core. But if he causes concern at TNR , he must be all right.