"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7
Arthur Isles Hart was the first born to Arthur Isles Hart, Sr. and Martha Hart on May 27, 1922 in the state of New York. As the oldest of 8, he grew to be a very responsible young man with the ability to pay close attention to detail, and was often referred to as the peacemaker of the family. He came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and was only a teenager when he joined his dad in the ministry.
In 1940, he graduated from Calabar College in Kingston, Jamaica and worked for a short time with the Jamaica Telephone Company, and later in the Jamaican Civil Service Court System in their Tax Division. Obeying the call of God on his life, he was ordained to the Christian Ministry in 1944. He married Ilsa Dorothea Douglas on April 23, 1946 and the union produced 5 daughters: Camille and Harlene-Joy, who preceded him to glory, as well as Marguerite, Arlette-Marie, and Jackie-Beth.
Arthur was a missionary to Jamaica under the auspices of Christian Missions in Many Lands, commended by Grace Gospel Chapel in Brooklyn, New York. He was involved in pioneer church planting and served as pastoral overseer for 16 rural congregations of Plymouth Brethren Churches, as well as 25 Sunday Schools and 6 basic schools. He was the Chairman of the Northeastern Missionary Conference, comprising of 32 congregations, and the Managing Director of the Hart Boy's Home in Clonmel, Jamaica. This has since expanded to become the Hart Orphanage, catering to both boys and girls. He was the broadcaster for a weekly radio program known as The Master's Time, and a lecturer at annual church conventions held in Jamaica, Belize, Bermuda, St. Kitts, New York and Montreal.
In 1976, God moved the family to South Florida where they became actively involved at Fort Lauderdale Bible Chapel. He continued to play a part in the various ministries in Jamaica, but began to make his main focus, speaking and assisting in the work of the Lord in many assemblies in this area.
Although these many achievements can read like an accomplished resume, the most important thing that can never be accurately chronicled this side of Heaven, is the countless lives he impacted for the glory of God. The authentic love he had for his family was second only to his genuine passion for Jesus Christ. He considered every stranger to be a "friend he had never met before," and openly shared the gospel of our Lord, which freely flowed from a heart that was daily committed to His Master. The faithful example he left us all and the Godly legacy that was consciously created for our benefit, will never be forgotten, for he has eternally branded our hearts with a life that lived out the truths of God's Holy Word.
He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years Ilsa, 2 daughters, 2 brothers, Rufus and Sam, and 3 sisters, Muriel, Gloria, and Marjorie. He is lovingly remembered by 1 brother, Charles, 1 sister, Rosalie, 3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and other numerous relatives and friends.
There is no doubt that on the morning of October 1st, 2014, Arthur Hart heard the voice of God say, "...Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Matthew 25:23
Our prayer for each of you is that you will choose to follow Christ, so that one day you too will have the privilege of hearing those same words.
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