TV evangelism pioneer Lundstrom dies

WILLMAR, Minn. -- Lowell Lundstrom, founder of Lowell Lundstrom Ministries and Celebration Church, died Friday at age 72 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Lundstrom was among the pioneers in the use of multimedia for religious evangelism. Over a 55-year career, his ministry reached millions of people.

For many years he and his family crisscrossed the United States, spreading the gospel message through music, books, preaching, crusades and television and radio programs. Their weekly half-hour telecast was at one time taped in a studio in Willmar and broadcast on nearly 60 stations in the U.S. and Canada.

His ministry involved his wife Connie and their four children, as well as Lundstrom's brothers Larry and Leon and their families. Their signature show, "The Lundstroms," aired weekly for 12 years.

Lowell Lundstrom was born on Nov. 28, 1939, in Minneapolis, later moving with his family to Peever, S.D.

Lundstrom penned more than 600 gospel songs, produced 60 music albums and wrote 15 books. He was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

In 1996, Lowell and Connie Lundstrom founded Celebration Church in Lakeville, Minn. They made their home in Savage, Minn. Connie Lundstrom died in December.