LUNDSTROM EXAMINES PROPHECIES

The Ozark Harmony Boys of Marquand set the mood for the second night of the Heartland For Christ Crusade at Cape Girardeau's Show Me Center on Monday with three lively gospel songs.

Pastor Robert Wright of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Cape Girardeau, who read the opening Bible verse, said it was "pretty exciting" to have so many churches, more than 50, joined together in a common purpose.

"There are lot of Christians who have been praying for many years for something like this," Wright said.

Pastor Cecil Barham of the Bethel Assembly of God in Cape Girardeau and the local crusade coordinator, said he was extremely pleased with the turnout on what typically is the least-attended night for any crusade.

He estimated Monday's crowd at about 1,500. From that number, about 50 to 60 adults came forward to dedicate their lives to serving Jesus Christ.

In his opening remarks, Evangelist Lowell Lundstrom read from Sunday's editorial of the Southeast Missourian, which said Billy Sunday gave Cape Girardeau a spiritual rebirth in the 1920s with a crusade. Lundstrom said he agreed that America can achieve a spiritual rebirth.

Lundstrom's message for the evening dealt with Bible prophecies and seven signs that point to the return of Jesus Christ to the world. He said the Bible constantly confirms what was foretold.

The evangelist said Jesus Christ, the "greatest prophet," promised to come again. "I believe we have reached the last days," Lundstrom told the crowd.

Lundstrom said prophecies point to a one-world government and economic system in the last days, something that is conceivable in light of the European Economic Community and economic pacts, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Lundstrom said another sign of the end times is that Christians will be lukewarm in the practice of their faith. He said the Gospel has now been preached around the world, and yet violence, immorality and divorce are as rampant today as in Noah's, when God destroyed mankind for his wickedness.

The regathering of Israel as a nation is another prophecy that tells of the end, Lundstrom said.

Ralph Green, treasurer for the crusade and a commercial loan officer at Mercantile Bank in Cape Girardeau, joined Lundstrom on the stage for the evening's collection.

Quoting from the Scriptures, Green said "God loves a cheerful giver." Lundstrom quipped that God also accepts gifts from grumps, drawing chuckles from the crowd.

Green later said the crusade has collected about $60,000 of its $88,750 budget. About $4,000 was collected the first two nights. He said about $5,000 is needed per night for the rest of the crusade to meet the budget.

Tonight, special guest vocalists, the Futrell Tempell Choir, will perform. Tonight is "Family Night," and Lundstrom will discuss "Five Ways To Fire UP Your Marriage."

On Wednesday, it's "Children's Night," with Eric Redman -- named the world's fifth strongest man in 1985, one of the featured guests. Lundstrom's daughter, Lisa Lundstrom, also will give her testimony of straying from the right path for nine years before returning to her family.