CONNECT In Memoriam Renowned Assemblies of God evangelist and minister Lowell Lundstrom, ‘61, founder of Lowell Lundstrom Ministries and Celebration Church, went home to heaven on July 20, 2012, after a long battle with Parkinson’s. He was 72. Lundstrom was with family members when he died at his home in Savage, MN. His homegoing comes seven months after the death of his wife of 55 years, Connie, who was his lifelong partner in spreading God’s Word and love. Born in Minneapolis, MN, on November 28, 1939, Lundstrom moved with his parents and brothers to Peever, SD, and grew up working on the family farm. He started a rock and roll band when he was 14 years old, and that same year met his new guitar player and future wife, Connie Brown. Lundstrom’s ministry began on April 7, 1957, when he gave his heart to Jesus while attending a service at Connie’s church in Sisseton, SD. Lowell and Connie were married in 1957 and dedicated the rest of their lives to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lowell and Connie attended Lakewood Park Bible School (now known as Trinity Bible College). In 1961 he graduated from North Central Bible College (now North Central University), in Minneapolis, MN. Lowell became an ordained minister and was honored to be a respected leader in the Assemblies of God throughout his life. Lowell, Connie, and their children Londa, Lisa, L.J., and Lance, along with brothers Larry and Leon and their families, crisscrossed the United States and Canada by bus, holding interdenominational crusades and evangelistic outreaches. The Lundstrom’s ministry led an estimated one million people to Jesus Christ through preaching, music, literature, crusades, and radio and television programs during a ministry that spanned over five decades. Lowell was a prolific musician and writer. He wrote more than 600 gospel songs, produced 60 music albums and wrote 15 books. In 2005 he was included into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. He also served as president and chancellor of Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND, for 10 years. In 1996, the Lundstrom’s founded Celebration Church in Lakeville, MN. In recent years, Lowell passed the mantle of leadership for Lowell Lundstrom Ministries and Celebration Church to his daughter, Reverend Londa Lundstrom Ramsey.
Keith Basinski, ‘85, (Pastoral Studies) The North Central community was saddened to learn that a member of our alumni community, Keith Basinski, was among the victims of a workplace shooting in Minneapolis on September 27, 2012. Keith was a 29-year veteran driver for UPS and was at one of his regular delivery stops when the shooting occurred. Keith attended North Central in the early 1980s, even serving as junior class president, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies. So many people remember Keith as a gentle soul and as someone who had a positive impact on everyone he met. He was a caring, humble man who touched so many people for Christ that he likely never realized. Hundreds of people attended Keith's funeral, held at Emmanuel Christian Center in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. Among the many who came to pay their respects was North Central University president Dr. Gordon Anderson and Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton. If there's anything good that can come from this act of terrible violence, it's that through this tragedy, the public is getting a true sense of the type of person and leader that comes from North Central University. So many people have come forward to tell stories about how they were touched by Keith as he served as their UPS driver or as their teacher in the Royal Rangers. Keith really exemplified the best of NCU, living out a strong faith in God, commitment to family, and service to his community. Our prayers go out for his family and all who were touched by this senseless tragedy. - Jeff Hathaway
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