Connie
grew up on a farm in South Dakota. She says, "My childhood was
very happy. We lived in a three-room house--a kitchen, living
room/bedroom
and another bedroom--with no electricity or bathroom. Mom's cooking
and baking on the old wood stove were the best--especially the
bread, cookies and cakes, which were made from our own fresh milk
and butter. I enjoyed what my dad called "goose chases"
when we'd drive through the country stopping at farms to see if they
had a piece of equipment or livestock for sale. Growing up on the
farm was fun and a fairly quiet and peaceful existence."
When
Connie was a sophomore in high school she met Lowell at a talent
contest. They began to date and were married in 1957. Lowell says,
"My wife Connie has been the queen of my life for over 47
years. We first met when I was a country rock entertainer. The first
time I heard her sing I loved her alto voice and asked her to join
my band. Connie invited me to church, and as a result of her
influence, I committed my life to Jesus Christ."
Connie
and Lowell attended four years of Bible college together at what is
now Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, North Dakota. Both were good
students; Connie was elected valedictorian and Lowell salutatorian
of their class.
The
couple began their evangelistic music ministry, traveling in a little
Nash Rambler station-wagon to churches in the Midwest. Since then,
the ministry has grown tremendously. Connie, Lowell and eight team
members traveled in two buses over 300 nights of the year throughout
the United States and Canada holding city-wide interdenominational
outreaches, seminars and rallies for over two decades.
In
the fall of 1996, Lowell and Connie launched the fast-growing
Celebration Church in the Minneapolis suburb of Burnsville,
Minnesota. They continue their soulwinning outreaches and marriage
seminars across the United States and Canada as well as being pastors at
Celebration Church.
The
couple has four children--Londa, Lisa, Lowell Jr. and Lance. All of
the children traveled with the Lundstrom Ministry team,
participating in crusades and rallies while they were growing up. Connie has written about the
many challenges and blessings of this itinerant lifestyle in her
book, "My Home The Highway."
In
1986 Connie recorded a music album titled simply,
"Connie." Lowell says, "The first time I heard this
album it touched my heart so deeply that I broke down and cried. I
am so thankful for Connie's ministry to the Lord and to me and our
family."
In
1994, Connie released her book, "From Fear To Faith." This
book explains many of the fears she has faced in her lifetime,
including cancer, and how her faith and trust in the Lord have
enabled her to overcome fear and continue forward with hope. She
recently completed her ninth cookbook, "Connie's Country Cookin'."
Connie
also writes for the ministry's monthly newsletter, the Frontline
Report. She's an avid photographer and many of her photos can be
found in the Frontline Report and other ministry materials. She also
speaks periodically at various women's gatherings and recently was
the local host for "Pursuing Meaningful Relationships," a
women's conference presented by John Maxwell and simulcast from
Celebration Event Center.
