LUNDSTROM SAYS REAL HAPPINESS HARD TO FIND

Saturday was motivational night at the Heartland for Christ Crusade, which is winding down a weeklong crusade here.

The "Final Rally" will be held today at the Show Me Center as evangelist Lowell Lundstrom tells his story, "From Country Rock to Christ, Lowell's Life Story." Appearing in a special-guest role for the final rally will be Grand Ole Opry Star Billy Walker.

"I'll be bringing my friend, Billy Walker, to the Crusade Sunday," said Lundstrom. "Why don't you bring one of your friends?"

Admission is free for the 7:30 p.m. event.

More than 1,600 people gathered at the Show Me Center Saturday night to hear Lundstrom discuss "Secrets of Happiness and Success."

Too often, people lean to places, things, success and people to find happiness and success, said Lundstrom.

"Everybody wants to be happy and successful," he said. "But real happiness is hard to find."

The evangelist recalled memories of wanting his first bicycle, his first horse, his first car ... yet not being happy after getting them.

"Happiness is not found in places, things, success and people," he said, adding that Jesus Christ found happiness when he was just a youngster "doing his father's business," obeying God's commandments and telling people about God.

Jesus, said Lindstrom, had no money and no home, but he loved doing right and hated doing wrong. "Although Jesus didn't have the things young people have today, he was the happiest man who ever lived," said Lundstrom.

Lundstrom urged people to give their lives to Jesus. He said more than 500 people had given their lives to Christ since the start of the Crusade a week ago.

"Cape Girardeau will not forget this crusade," said Grace Methodist Church member Harold Kuehle, who summed up the feelings of many in attendance at the Saturday meeting.

"This is the first time I have seen this many churches working together for a common cause," said Kuehle. "The churches are realizing that they can work together and worship together."

Kuehle reiterated that more than 500 people had been saved. "That is what it is all about," he said.

More than 50 area churches have been involved in the crusade, which has averaged about 1,600 attendance each evening.

"Many people here have met old friends and made new friends," said Kuehle. "I've seen people here that I haven't seen in years."

People started gathering at the Show Me Center early Saturday. They filed through the turnstiles, and by 7:30 p.m. a large crowd was on hand for the music, which was often times lively, bringing a clapping crowd to its feet.