Southern Gospel Radio Returns to Minnesota Airwaves

Anoka, MN (July 26, 2018) — Southern Gospel music could be heard for 47 years in the Twin Cities. When KNOF Radio transferred ownership in 2007, the sounds of Southern Gospel music was silenced.

On May 8, 2018 Southern Gospel music returned to the Twin Cities airwaves filling a need that has been void since 2007! Under the leadership of Chad Jones, Leon Lundstrom, and Scott Harvath, HOPE 106.1 HD2 went on the air playing the great sounds of Southern Gospel, Christian Country, and Bluegrass Gospel music. HOPE is leading the way in Southern Gospel programming on HD Radio. It is believed to be one of the first Southern Gospel Stations on HD Radio in the Nation! Chad Jones states, “We have begun to get calls from other stations across the country inquiring about the feasibility of airing Southern Gospel on HD Radio.”

HOPE carries some great National Programming including Joyce Meyers, In Touch Ministries, and Les Feldick. HOPE also works with local ministries such as the Open Range Cowboy Church and the Country Gospel Show with Ed Brady. It is the desire of HOPE 106.1 HD2 to begin working with other area churches to help spread the word about their ministries and events!

Who We Are:

Neil Freeman: Station Manager
Brad LaRock: Lead Sales Manager

Chad Jones is Station Coordinator/Publicty and Music Director for HOPE 106.1 HD2. Chad brings a wealth of knowledge to HOPE. Chad served as Music Director for KNOF Radio for seven years before taking on the Station Coordinator position at KNEO Radio in Neosho, MO for two years. Chad also operates an internet based Southern Gospel station, the Heartland Radio Network (heartlandradionetwork.com). It was one of the first internet based Southern Gospel Stations in the country at its inception. Chad was also one of the leading Southern Gospel concert Promoters in the Twin Cites in the 80s and 90s and a former founding board member of the Midwest Quartet Association. Chad was also the host of the Southern Trax Television Program in the 80’s which earned him a nomination for one of the Top Video Jockeys in Southern Gospel music by the Eddie Crook Record Company in Nashville, Tennessee. On top of all of this Chad was the publisher for the Heartland Gospel Music Magazine for several years.

Leon Lundstrom is the Lead Seller for HOPE 106.1 HD2. Leon is no stranger to Southern Gospel or Christian Country music. Leon traveled with his brothers Lowell and Larry Lundstrom as their drummer and has learned a lot about road life and ministry on the road. The Lundstroms had a National Radio and Television Ministry as well and held numerous crusades all over the USA. Leon was a care pastor along with his late brother Lowell at Celebration Church for thirteen years.

Leons work in radio includes work at KCGN in Milbank, South Dakota where he was the Sales Manager from 1985-1990. Currently Leon and his wife Ronda are Directors of the Minnesota Gospel Opry. Look up the Lundstroms on You Tube and you are sure to see him in action!

Scott Harvath works in sales for HOPE 106.1 HD2 Scott has a love for Southern Gospel music. Attend any Southern Gospel concert in Minnesota and you will surely find Scott helping out! Scott also helps with the production of the Minnesota Gospel Opry concert series. Scott first met Chad in the early 90s while attending a concert promoted by Chad Jones.