Life is short. Make it count. Those words headlining Last Days Ministries’ website are testament not only to LDM’s call to prepare for Jesus’ return, but also a bittersweet reminder of the untimely death of LDM’s co-founder, Keith Green, more than three decades ago.
Green was a singer almost from birth. In spite of a record contract with Decca at 11 years old (look him up on YouTube), at 14 he felt like a failure and a year later ran away from home looking for spiritual truth.
During that search he and fellow seeker, Melody, were caught up in the Jesus Movement of the 1970s and found the Lord at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California. They married and never turned back.
Keith became one of early contemporary Christian music’s brightest stars giving away his albums for whatever people could afford. His life and lyrics challenged believers to a life free from idolatry, greed and more.
On July 28, 1982, Green was killed in a plane crash along with two of his children.
He was just 28 years old. Today Melody continues LDM’s ministry carrying on Keith’s legacy of shaking up the church.
Green was part of the new contemporary Christian music movement that swept in with the Jesus Movement. Many of today’s musicians including Jason Upton, Switchfoot, Kutless, Delirious, Chris Tomlin, Vicky Beeching and Michael W. Smith say they were inspired by Green’s heart for the poor and lost.
“He was a prophetic voice who through his music inspired and challenged thousands of people to live their lives in fiery passion for Jesus and His will,” says Michael Coleman, co-founder of Integrity Media.—Diana Scimone
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