60 CHURCHES TO HOST `HEARTLAND' CRUSADE

By the time Sunday evening's Heartland For Christ Crusade kicks off at the Show Me Center, its coordinator, the Rev. Cecil Barham of the Bethel Assembly of God, thinks about 60 area churches will be involved.

Barham was "extremely pleased" so many denominations were involved.

The community will witness all these churches coming together to share their common belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Barham said.

"For those who come out, their lives will be greatly enriched as the result of the gospel," Barham said. "I feel there will be hundreds of new believers who will be joining the folds of the various churches in the area after the crusade."

Evangelist Lowell Lundstrom will lead the crusade at 7:30 each night, beginning Sunday and running through March 26. He is bringing his own group of singers and band, who will be joined by musical talent from the local area.

Lundstrom of Sisseton, S.D., has spent almost 30 years doing evangelical work around the world. He has authored 17 books, composed 500 songs, recorded more than 50 albums and is a former president of Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, N.D.

Planning for the crusade began 18 months ago and grew from a small group of pastors who meet weekly. The idea grew until all area churches were invited to participate.

Barham expects Lundstrom's message to be the same as churches have delivered from the beginning: Man's ultimate problem is sin and God's ultimate answer is Jesus Christ.

"We believe that the hope of our nation and families is a great spiritual renewal that only comes through Jesus Christ," Barham said. An invitation "to receive Christ as Lord and Savior" will be given each evening of the crusade.

Admission is free to the crusade, but offerings will be taken each evening to help with expenses. With singing, messages, worship and special guests, the programs will last until about 9:15 each evening.

Barham anticipates between 2,500 and 3,000 people attending each night. Larger crowds are expected on opening and closing nights.

Youth chairman Phillip Roop of the Bethel Assembly of God said he thinks there will be a major impact on the area's youth.

Ropp said he has talked to older residents who remember former baseball player and evangelist Billy Sunday, the Billy Graham of his day, coming to Cape Girardeau in March 1926 and preaching to about 250,000 people over a five-week period. The older residents remember a spiritual rebirth in the city during that crusade.

The Rev. Jim Caughlan, pastor of Evangelical Church of Christ in Cape Girardeau and the crusade's administrative vice chairman, is excited about the crusade.

Caughlan sees a concerted effort from all area churches to bring about the crusade. This is the first time in his 21 years of ministry something is being done to include so many churches in the community.

"I think that's a significant statement for those who are seeking answers to their lives," Caughlan said. "Everyone looks for some form of meaning or purpose in their lives. Some may crash land and need some help in standing up again."

With his own parishioners, Caughlan is reminding them to use the crusade to introduce a friend or relative to the faith behind their church. He thinks crusade participants will hear relevant things for their lives.

HEARTLAND FOR CHRIST CRUSADE

March 19-26

7:30 nightly

Show Me Center

featuring

Lowell Lundstrom

Sunday-Opening Night

America At The Crossroads

Monday-Prophecy Night

Seven Signs of the End Times

Tuesday-Family Night

Five Ways to Fire Up Your Marriage

Wednesday-Youth Night

The False Hope of Drugs, Alcohol & Sex

Thursday-God & Country Night

How We Can Reclaim America

Friday-Bring a Friend Night

Why The Gospel Is Good News For Your

Saturday-Motivational Night

Secrets of Happiness and Success

Sunday-Final Rally

From Country Rock to Christ

Sponsoring Churches

CAPE GIRARDEAU

Abundant Life

Bethany Baptist

Bethel Assembly of God

Cape Bible Chapel

Cape Church of God

Cape Family Worship Center

Christian Faith Fellowship

Cornerstone Assembly Church

Evangelical United Church of Christ

Faith Evangelical Free Church

First Assemnbly of God

First Church of the Nazarene

First General Baptist Church

First Pentecostal Church

Futrell Temple Church of God in Christ

Good News Christian Center

Grace United Methodist Church

House of Prayer

Iona Baptist Church

LaCroix United Methodist Church

Livingway Foursquare

Lynwood Baptist Church

Mount Auburn Christian Church

New Plymouth Community Church

New World Outreach

Red Star Baptist Church

Salvation Army

Shawnee Hills Baptist Church

Southside Baptist Church

St. James African Methodist Episcopal Cbhurch

Third Street United Methodist Church/Wesleyan Foundation

Vineyard Christian Fellowship

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Westside Church of God

JACKSON

First Assembly of God

First Baptist Church

First General Baptist Church

SCOTT CITY

Father's Arm Ministry

First Assembly of God

Memorial Wesleyan

CHAFFEE

First Assembly of God

ALLENVILLE

Allenville Baptist Church

CHARLESTON

First Assembly of God

Church On The Rock

PAINTON

Faith Family

OLIVE BRANCH

Trinity Assembly of God