Fast forward a few years to 1982 or so and a visit to Ben Israel ministries in northern Minnesota. Art Katz z”l had invited Keith Green to minister there along with others including an excellent African American preacher, whose name skips me. A carload of us had traveled from a private Bible school in northern Wisconsin to hear and see Keith and Art Katz. From my viewpoint, they both held to a ‘sold out’ message and were cutting edge servants of the Messiah. We anticipated the ministry of both Art and Keith greatly as we made our way to the Ben Israel conference. What happened that weekend left us in great wonder.

For some reason, Art and Keith had a major public clash in which Keith basically did not sing but sniped at some of what had been taught at that conference. What Keith said – mind you, he did not sing or play piano as we had expected – was quite earthly and stated with crass terms which I will spare mentioning. Art basically got visibly and obviously mad and afterwards when Art took to the stage, publicly made Keith look like a spiritual midget, comparing Keith’s lack of spiritual maturity to the great maturity exhibited by the African American preacher. (That was Art’s eloquently stated opinion not necessarily mine or perhaps other attendees.) Art also sternly rebuked a parent whose child was crying while Art was speaking. To me, that uncovered something I did not expect from a man of such purported spiritual standing.

We came to Ben Israel that weekend considering both Art and Keith to be spiritual dynamos and spiritual men of high stature. After this episode, we began to wonder and try to sort through the implications of this event within ourselves. I cannot tell you the discomfort I felt as we watched in person their disagreement publicly unfold at Ben Israel that weekend. Plus, there was a relatively small number of people gathered there who witnessed this event. NO where to hide, so to say, in the crowd as these things transpired.

We drove back to Wisconsin afterwards stunned. We barely spoke and, as I recall, said almost nothing about what we had witnessed. We could not figure it out but I also came away with a life lesson: don’t put people on a pedestal, even those most spiritual (seemingly). People may fall short but G-D will not.

Shortly after arriving back, one of our party, Nick, wrote a letter to Art Katz and asked for help in understanding what we had witnessed between Art and Keith. Not too long afterwards, Nick received a response that basically said: We love each other but we have agreed to disagree. That response was greatly helpful since it was an honest answer and we could say, was also a biblical answer. After all, Rav Sha’ul (Paul) had a serious disagreement with Barnabbas and there are numerous passages in Scripture that exhort us into proper dealings with those we have trouble with or disagree with in life.

Now as I hear Keith’s music, I see a giant of the Spirit who also had some serious clay feet. When I read Art Katz’s writings, I recognize a human being expressing with tongue of clay, the glory of an Almighty Messiah. That encourages me to cling to the truism that all of us as messianic believers can be used of the L-rd in a great way even if our own feet or tongues may be made of clay. After all, we have this treasure in an earthen vessel.

My opinion of both Keith Green and Art Katz is not diminished by the event that fateful weekend at Ben Israel. Instead, it is now framed by the understanding that any person can be used of G-d if that person will step out in faith, speak the truth in love and follow the moving hence the calling of His Ruach.

Shortly after this perplexing meeting took place at Ben Israel, the fateful airplane trip took place. If the shock of the disagreement we witnessed at Ben Israel ranked as a 7 on a scale of 10, the physical death of Keith Green and the others that day ranks as a 10-plus on the same scale. We were in actual shock, with weeping and sorrow. Why? The main reason for me beyond the tragedy was the wonderment associated with the question: Did Art Katz and Keith Green ever get their issue worked through? How I wish I knew for sure the answer to that specific question!

I think both of them after they became talmidim (disciples) of Yeshua attempted to preach the Good News in a way that left no grey areas. For that reason – that which is truly done in the L-rd will remain – the impact of their ministries continues until now. All the rest? It is just hay, wood, and stubble.

Keith used to come to our church in Hillsboro, Or before anyone had ever really heard of him. When he started, the church had a regular group of people. When he came back the next time it had grown incredibly. The next time even more until there was no room in the place. People learned of him quickly and his desire to sing and preach the way it should be done. It was apparent that he was truly anointed. What a move of God there was. How refreshing to hear someone that was not just entertaining, and trying to make big bucks from their concerts and CD’s.

I loved his humble heart and enjoyed seeing his ministry grow and what God was doing through he and Melody.

I remember one time he was at church doing a concert and he decided to come hang out with us with a group of us that regularly hung out after services. This time there was only a few of us. Maybe 8.

He said he would like to sing a song that was new. It always moved him and he hadn’t done it at a concert because he couldn’t get through it without crying. This was the first time he had played it for anyone. He played the prodigal. Talk about an anointed moving experience. There wasn’t a dry eye and I will never forget it. What a privledge to have been there.

We have still felt the anointing to this day when listening to his music.

We were ther the time he rebuked everyone at Jesus Northwest for making a time of worship and fellowship among followers of Christ, a carnival of Jesus junk. They had turned a time of fasting and praying into a party of food carts you can get at any state fair. There was total silence in the park. How refreshing for someone not to be afraid to hear the truth!

From the day He sang it, I have played the Easter song for my children when they wake up on Easter morning before they even had their Easter baskets. Every year from the time they were little till the time they left home. Today my kids are in their 20’s and 30’s and they still have me play it when they come over for dinner. My daughter now makes it her tradition with her kids. Not only was Keith a good musician, an annointed preach, and an all around fun guy, but he has started traditions in my family that are continuing through my children and hopefully theirs too.

What a privledge to know keith and Melody. I still grieve that it was such a short time. But the music still has the same moving of the Holy Spirit today that it did many years ago.

I grew up in the Northeast a few years behind Keith and Melody and became a Christian in 1978. I used to watch The 700 Club and listen to CBN after my children were born but I don’t think I ever saw Keith Green. After all of these years, I am so blessed to have been able to learn about his life and music.

As a professional but not specifically Christian musician, Keith’s talent was immediately apparent to me. Never having composed music seriously but having studied for many years and played at many different types of engagements over a musical career, I can appreciate and admire how truly gifted he was. What he did was nothing less than bring the power of the Word of God to people wherever he performed in an amazing combination of ear training, technique, improvisation, vocal talent, and a sense of humor and always humility. With his recordings now on the internet, his musical ministry is available to people all over the world.

Keith’s music has awakened in me a passion for Christ and the Lord which have been there since 1978 but overshadowed at times by mundane things which are not important. I am devastated that this gifted young man died so young with his dear friends and two beautiful children and the pilot. However, his music lives on, and as someone said earlier, with YouTube we see him performing when he was on earth, encapsulated forever by modern technology and the generosity of Melody and her staff.

I have just ordered “No Compromise” and cannot wait to read it. I have also sent links to Keith’s YouTube videos to everyone on my email list so that God’s word can be spread by Keith’s unmatchable ability to speak and sing it by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The world needs Keith Green’s ministry more than ever today with all of the evil that abounds which we must fight with all of our strength.

God bless Keith’s family and continuing ministry.

Backstage Keith met with the founder of the festival who was trying to change the financial agreement that they had. Keith was clearly not pleased but not because of the money. He said, “just pay me whatever you think is fair.” I think he was unhappy with a brother in Christ not honoring his word, but that is just my opinion, I did not speak with Keith.

I am a pastor today in large part because of the influence of Keith’s ministry. As I write this I am listening to one of his songs. I was in the armory at Andrews Air Force Base where I was stationed and serving in the Security Police field as an armorer when I learned of his death. He left such a void that I eventually took the step to go into ministry to try to help make up for his loss in a small way. I can’t wait to worship with him in heaven.