Minnesota native Duane Pederson moved to California with dreams of entertainment but instead launched —a radical, Jesus-centered publication that sparked a revival. He helped birth one of the largest religious movements in America.
—–Producer: Amira Warren-Yearby Editorial support: Britt Aamodt & Emily Krumberger
Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood
Transcript
In the town of Hastings, Minnesota, lived a kid with big dreams, Duane Pederson. Born at the tail end of the Great Depression, Duane knew he was set apart for something special. So, he moved to California, pursuing a career as an entertainer. It was the 1960s. The lyrics of Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles became the voice for Youth Culture and many were defying traditional values – dropping out and dropping acid.
But Duane thought that Jesus was missing in their pursuit for peace and love. Soon he launched the Hollywood Free Paper, a counter cultural response. The newspaper reached millions and became a vehicle for a ministry outreach called “The Living Room” run by Hippies for Hippies. Suddenly revival hit like wildfire. Over 8,000 people were baptized on the shores of Corona del Mar, each professing to be born-again. And Duane became the founder of one of the largest religious movements in America.