KONA, Hawaii - Keith Green "28-28-28" Live Webcast Recalls Life of "Radical" Christian Musician

29 July 2010

ABOVE:  Melody Green, wife of Keith Green, speaks about her late husband's "radical obedience" to God and worldwide ministry, at the University of the Nations, Kona, Hawaii, July 28, 2010.  Green was based in East Texas at Last Days Ministry on the present site of Teen Mania      photo:Internet Vid-Cap

Webcast Recalls Passion of "Radical" Smith County Christian Musician Keith Green

by PATRICK BUTLER, ResonateNews.com

     GARDEN VALLEY, Texas - Smith County-based Contemporary Christian musician Keith Green died 28 years today ago in a  plane crash on the site of today's Teen Mania in Garden Valley.  Green's musical and print media nonprofit organization, Last Days Ministry spanned the globe from Garden Valley, touching hundreds of thousands of lives.

    At 7 p.m Central on Wednesday, Green and Last Days Ministry once again is "on" live and in color via the internet, and his message being viewed afresh by thousands of listeners worldwideThe Last Days Ministry anniversary event called "28-28-28" is being webcast live from the University of the Nations at this moment. The  university was founded in the 1970's and still operated by Youth With A Mission today. 

    "Kieth Green died at age 28, on July 28, 28 years ago," said J. Thomas Rogers, who moderated the webcast chat room from his Smith County office.

      A California musician who came to East Texas in the 1970's, Green was part of a missionary migration to Smith County that included David Wilkerson  withTeen Challenge, Agape Force with Winkie Pratney and Youth With A Mission. The music ministries of Dallas Holm and Praise, The Second Chapter of Acts and Green would follow the evangelistic organizations coming to Smith County. 

     Later, Mercy Ships and Teen Mania would also relocate into north Smith County. 

   In addition to Green's sought-after music - with sometimes sharp-edged lyrics lambasting Christ-followers for their lazy indifference to the world problems of hunger and poverty - Green's splashy Last Days Newsletter printed at Last Days created world-wide ripples. The ministry's six-color press - located where the Teen Mania gymnasium now stands - churned out hundreds of thousands of the newsletters. Copies of the original newsletters are now available at www.keithgreen.com

   In Hawaii, Green's widow, Melody said to a large audience that her young husbands "authenticity" was his draw 30 years ago, and still engages younger listeners today. Her husband "repented in tears" she said, of seeking fame and recognition for his musical talent. 

  "We need Keith's radical obedience today," said Mrs. Green. "We need to stop just showing up at church and being 'happy-clappy. I want to change the world, don't you?"

    John Dawson, president of Youth With A Mission said Green life, "Was like a comet streaking across the sky." 

   God still wants to bring fresh revelation to people, said Mrs. Green.

  "God wants to release a new sound," she said.  "It's the sound of justice, the sound of truth, and of music too. Through sermon and song, you will declare truth boldly."

   Darlene Cunningham, wife of YWAM co-founder Loren Cunningham, led in prayer for musicians listening in worldwide to the webcast and who honor Green's legacy of faith.

  "Those of you who have that gift to impart the Gospel (in music), please stand we want to pray for you," she said. "If you are looking at your computer, stand up as well, and we are believing for the creation of new songs to be born in people's hearts."      

    Dawson said Green had repented of the "soulish desire" for musical fame and asked him for prayer.

   "I'd like to pray for you the prayer I did for him years ago," Dawson said "This grace you put upon Keith, Lord, we release it and receive it," he said. 

    More than 3,000 people heard Dawon's, Mrs. Cunningham's and Mrs. Greens words, said Rogers, publisher of ResonateNews.com who monitored the Web response.

   "There are viewers in Iceland, Japan, Nigeria and all over Europe," he said, motioning to the monitor. "It's beautiful to see so many people brought together through this connection."

     A video of one Green's messages was then shown.

     "How many of you are going to promise to go home and seek God's will for your life" about going to the mission field?" Green said in the video. I"m telling you, you are called," and  launched into his song "Asleep in the LIght."

    "Don't you see, don't you see, all the people sinking down," Green sang. "Bless me, Lord, Bless me Lord, you know it's all I ever hear... all of heaven just weeps..."

   Emotional internet reponse included the statment from one woman who simply wrote, "We miss you Keith."

    There are  yet former Last Days Ministry staff members living in East Texas 28 years after Green's death. Perhaps best-known is David Rooker of Tyler's The Scroll Christian Bookstore. The nonprofit bookstore today provides all the music heard on Tyler's nonprofit Christian radio, KVNE FM.

    "I believe God is doing it again," said YWAM founder Loren Cunningham,  in Hawaii.  "As we listen to Keith's message again, do you have a call to stay home? What are you doing with your call?  God has given you a light, and he expects us to light the torches of thousands around the globe."

    "Don't despise the day of small beginnings," said Dawson at the event's close before an extended time of worship. "That's the story of Keith and Melody."

Visit the Web at www.KeithGreen.com for a replay of tonight's Web cast.