Greetings from Billings, Montana!
The date was Saturday, August 25th and it was truly a deja vu moment. There we stood on the stage, Lowell and Connie Lundstrom, Larry and myself, under the big yellow tent in Lakeville, Minnesota, singing "The Traveling Song" just as we did so many times in the '70's and '80's.
Back in May of 1961, Larry's brother, Lowell, and wife, Connie, graduated from Bible School. My husband, Larry, graduated from high school the following
day, and the very next day the three of them journeyed off into full-time evangelism. Larry and I were married in October of 1965. These two couples filled with boundless energy, enthusiasm and the call of God on their lives ventured off traveling throughout the United States and Canada, singing, preaching at city-wide crusades, speaking on the radio, appearing in television specials, participating in conferences, and etc. Crowds grew and people came to Christ by the thousands. Larrry and Lowell's youngest brother, Leon, and his wife, Ronda, joined the team in 1971 as a drummer. Now the three Lundstrom brothers, wives and their families were singing and playing their instruments together spreading the Gospel news! The name "Lundstrom" became a household name in the Midwest due to the television specials and weekly television program.
In December of 1982, Larry, I and our three children embarked on a new adventure and formed the Larry Lundstrom Family ministry. We ministered all across the US and Canada focusing on salvation and ministering to families. One by one, our children grew up and left the nest. In 1997, it was back to Larry and I. Since then, Larry and I have traveled over ten months a year sharing the simple Gospel message with thousands making decisions for Christ.
During the week of August 19th-26th, Lowell and Connie Lundstrom celebrated 50 years of ministry and marriage. We were honored to be invited to be a part of the celebration. The
Original Lundstrom's consisting of Lowell,
Connie, Larry and myself, took the stage for a concert on Saturday night (the 25
th) and were joined by Leon and Ronda, and several of the children playing keyboards, drums, guitars, percussion, etc. What a reunion we had! As we stood there singing, after being apart for 25 years, once again, I was reminded of God's faithfulness to all of us through the years. One person commented, "As you all got on the stage, there was that same family magic and anointing that you all once shared and I felt it flow tonight." It was a wonderful and unforgettable evening. It was amazing to see that from the original Lundstrom's in the 60's, there are now three generations that fill the stage.
It was also a special treat to see and reacquaint ourselves with dozens of former staff, team members, guest speakers and singers.
All in all, it was an action-packed, emotion-filled weekend. Here are some photos of the big event. You may know or recognize several of them. Have fun!
Gloria
We got a kick out of the impersonators!
Family ...
Lowell & Connie's bunch:
Our family:
(we missed you Donovan!)
Friends and former staff...