I have witnessed the end of an era. On September 17, 2005, Lt. Colonel Olof Lundgren was promoted to Glory. He was the last officer to have served in the leadership of the Scandinavian Department of The Salvation Army's Eastern Territory.

He died as he had lived, with a hunger for Heaven and a deep love for the Army to which he had given his life. Perhaps sensing his imminent summons home on that Saturday morning, Lundgren left the dining room of the Waterford Glen Assisted Living Center where he had resided for the past two years. He returned to his room and donned his uniform. Within a few short moments, I can imagine that he heard a resounding, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Come and share your Master's joy!" (Matthew 25:21) He died as he had lived: in love with his Lord, in love with the Army, and ready for battle!

For as long as I can remember, activities in the Scandinavian Department included Lundgren and his lovely wife, Karin. As a child of 12, I heard God call me to full–time service at a Young People's Rally conducted by then-Major Lundgren. The youth of the Army was his passion, and he was always looking for some activity to interest them.

My corps would conduct special programs for Norwegian merchant seamen whose ships anchored at nearby docks in Brooklyn. Especially at Christmastime, we would have "Christmas Tree festivals" full of Norwegian tradition. Hundreds of young sailors would gather in our corps hall, and most often, "Olle" Lundgren was our special music guest. He would wow the crowds as he sat at the piano and accompanied his own cornet solo. He would make Gospel songs come alive in Norwegian and Swedish, often reminding the seamen of their mothers and fathers, who were praying for them in their homelands.

I remember that as a young adult in the Scandinavian work, I enjoyed the great "Scandinavian Nights at The Temple," the grand conclusion of a week of evangelistic meetings in New York City known as the Winter Congress. Lundgren would invite groups from ethnic societies of all the Scandinavian countries, even stretching those borders to include some of the Baltic States. We would sometimes cringe at the marathon meetings where every guest with an "honorable" title and a diplomatic rank was afforded the opportunity to bring greetings. In retrospect I understand the vision and passion of the man, who would use any opportunity to bring hundreds of countrymen under the influence of the Gospel. One thing for sure—he always packed the house!

Olof Lundgren loved the New York Staff Band. He was one of its cornet virtuosos, often sharing in duets and trios with Ed Lowcock and Vernon and Katie Post. He was one of its vocal soloists as well. When asked, shortly before his death, what he would consider to be the highlight of his career, Lundgren cited his opportunity to sing Meredith Willson's song, "Banners and Bonnets," at a Hollywood Bowl event honoring Willson and his music. Willson himself chose the program items and participants; he wanted "Banners and Bonnets" to be sung, and he wanted Lundgren to sing it.

The program was filled with star performers. The Bowl was packed to capacity: 25,000 eager listeners. When Lundgren came to the stage, Willson left his chair to hug his friend in the Salvation Army uniform. Having long heard of Olof's great success on that evening, I prodded him to tell me how it went. Lundgren smiled and replied, "I said to the Lord, 'You will have to help me hit the high C.' " With a twinkle in his eye and smiling even more broadly, Lundgren added, "And He did!"

Lundgren was an eternal optimist. "I try to see the good in all situations," he often said. He never spoke ill of anyone. God used this characteristic to challenge all who were prone to criticize.

His personal motto was, "The best is yet to be!" For "Olle," that is now reality!

Changing times and changing immigrant populations have witnessed the decline of the Scandinavian work. I do not mourn its passing. I pray that new ministries to new immigrant groups will be as fruitful as the ministries of yesteryear were to the immigrants from northern climes. And I pray that God will continue to raise up leaders to reach out to these new immigrant populations, even as Lundgren did to his countrymen.