Remembering Art Katz

—some thoughts by Pastor Charles

Art Katz was born on February 13, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York of Jewish parents, David and Esther Katz. Art spent 44 years in active ministry traveling the world as an itinerant preacher. He married Inger Hava on April 17, 1965. He died peacefully in his home at Ben Israel in Laporte, MN on June 28th after an extended illness surrounded by family and friends. Art is survived by his faithful wife Inger Hava Katz and his children—David of Laporte, Christina ("Sissie"), wife of Keith Pennel of Bemidji, MN and Ariel of Melbourne, FL and six grandchildren. Art was buried on July 2nd on the Ben Israel property in Laporte. At his request, the words from 1 Kings 17:5 will be inscribed on his memorial stone—"So he rose and did according to the word of the Lord…. "

Camp Dominion, which adjourns the Ben Israel property in Laporte, reached its peak of influence in the 1970's as an expression of the divine balance between Jew and Gentile, prophet and teacher. Hundreds and thousands of people were influenced by the Word of the Lord that sounded from Camp Dominion in the '70's. A number of these are now serving the purposes of God around the world.

At the memorial service on July 2nd, both Dotty and I were impressed to share from the text, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay ("the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives"—The Message), to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). At this service, Art's eldest son, David, referred to his father as an "enigma"; and that he was. The "unadorned clay pot" of Art's humanity, with its blemishes and cracks, appeared at times to be in direct contradiction to the treasure that he contained—the insightful and revelatory Word of the Lord, coming from the very heart of God, transforming many who heard it, including myself.

Some few months before Art's death, the building that contained all of his written and spoken messages burned to the ground. On hearing this, I felt the Lord spoke to my own heart from 1 Corinthians 3:13-15—the all our "work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will received his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. "As Art stands in the Presence of God, he now knows the degree to which he built with gold, silver and costly stones, or with wood, hay and straw!

For us who yet remain behind, may our fervent cry to God be:"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom;" (to make the most of our time"—The Book). Yes, "may the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands" (Psalm 90:12, 17). And with this challenge from God upon our shoulders, we do remember God's servant and our friend, Art Katz.

July 2007

—Charles P. Schmitt

—To read other articles from Pastor Charles take a look at, Left Behind, Two Different World Leaders--Jesus and Mohamed, Believing for Ted Haggard, That "Horrible Doctrine", “Is the Body of Christ a Melting Pot or a Tossed Salad?” , “Why are our Nations’ Flags in the Rotunda (and not in the Sanctuary)?” , A Distortion of Biblical Prosperity and Two Different Leaders-Muhamad & Our Lord Jesus Christ. Please check for them on this website.