TL;DR:
This page celebrates how music fuels global missions outreach — motivating, educating, and inspiring believers to support world evangelism efforts. It opens with a list of top missions-themed Christian songs recommended by missions pastors. A long list of gospel songs and hymns point to the long history of world missions music. Indeed, Martin Luther wrote one of the first Protestant missionary hymns.
A curated list of more than 150 worship songs about reaching the lost
Titles, lyrics, recordings, printed music sources
Music about world missions can educate, motivate, and inspire people to get involved in fulfilling the Great Commission.
In some Gospel songs, a word missions emphasis is more implicit than explicit.
Other songs have a phrase or two with a clear global missions reference while still others put world evangelization front and center.
What's your favorite global missions song?
"They say 'music soothes the savage beast.' It also can educate, convince, persuade, motivate, and inspire. We asked 30 missions pastors to list the best missions songs in contemporary Christian music. I was impressed by this list from Kurt."
Friend Of The Poor 5:10 by Leeland Mooring, Andy Park
— from Brigada, a global missions newsletter
Songs for Faith Promise Conventions and other global missions or missionary
services
In 1523, Martin Luther wrote a missionary hymn based on Psalm 67. Titled "May
God Bestow on Us His Grace," it has been called "the first missionary hymn of
Protestantism."
Promoting Christian missions through music: In some of these songs, the missionary emphasis is only inferred. In others, a phrase or two mentions some about global missions. In some, the theme of world evangelization permeates the entire song.
"All around the world, I see the arms of Jesus reaching. All around the world,
healing hearts and souls and teaching perfect love to every man and woman, boy and girl."
All Nations — John Chisum and George Searcy
"You are great and mighty, Lord. You are God alone; You gather the nations
together to worship at Your throne."
1989, Ariose Music / Tourmaline Music [ MP3 sound
clip ]
All Over the World — Martin Smith and Matt Redman
"All over the world Your song will resound. All over the world Your praises
ring out. . . . And every nation tribe and tongue come together join as one"
From every nation, all of creation, bow before the Ancient of Days! Every
tongue in Heaven and earth shall declare Your glory!"
1992, Integrity's Hosanna! Music / ASCAP and Integrity's Praise! Music
Answer the Call - Stephen Tavani
"There's much more to your salvation . . . Can you hear the Savior calling as
He ascended through the air? Go forth into every nation. Take the message everywhere.'"
Tavani Music / BMI
As Bread That is Broken — Claire Cloninger and Paul Baloche
"Give our faith a mission field wherever You may call. Lord, love the world
through each one of us until we've touched them all."
1995, Integrity's Hosanna! Music / Word Music / Juniper Landing Music
Asleep in the Light — Keith Green
God's calling and you're the one, but like Jonah, you run . . . The world is
sleeping in the dark"
1978, Birdwing Music / BMG Songs / Ears to Hear
Available - Dick Anthony
1971, Lillenas
"Be" (My heart, My hands, My voice) - Richard Allan Hall, Todd James Smith, Jason
Saetveit, and Jeffrey East
"When you are shackled in chains, Imprisoned for sharing his name, If you
should suffer for righteousness' sake, Don't be afraid."
2012, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Songtrust
Avek
Be the One - Al Denson, Dave Clark, and Don Koch
"Will you be the one to take His light into a darkened world? Tell me, will
you be the one? Will you be the one? . . . I will be the one."
1990, Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing / Paragon Music Corporation / First Verse
Music [
YouTube video ]
The Call (Abraham's Call) — S. Cirillo and J. Amoruso; English lyrics by Freddy
Hayler
You're blessed to be a blessing so all the nations can know God. Send me
forth to the Gentiles, to a land I do not know, to the souls who wait in darkness."
2001, Sugar-Melodi
Bury My Heart on the Mission Field — Tricia Crabtree
"I'll be the carrier of light to the world. I'll be the carrier of hope and
salvation. I will go shine your light to the world. . . . Here am I, send me."
2009, Integrity Worship Music
Carry the Light - Twila Paris
"Go and preach the gospel 'til there is no more night. In the name of Jesus
Christ, carry the light."
1989, Ariose Music / Mountain Spring Music / Alexandria House [
YouTube
]
Carry the Torch - David Baroni and Lynn Keesecker
"We will lift high the flame, we will march through the darkness with the
light of His name until the glory of God is seen by the world."
1995, Kingsway's Thank You Music [ printed in "The Survivor
Songbook" ] [
YouTube ]
For Such a Time as This — Wayne Watson
Right now, I really have no choice but to voice the truth to the nations . . . For
such a time as this, I was placed upon the earth to hear the voice of God and do His will whatever
it is."
"We will abandon it all for the sake of the call ... no other reason at all but the
sake of the call. Wholly devoted to live and to die for the sake of the call."
1990, Sparrow Song / Careers-BMG Music Publishing / Greg Nelson Music
[
online sheet music ] [
YouTube ]
For Your Glory - Scott Wesley Brown
Woven like a tapestry, the peoples of the earth will prove the wonders of Your
grace. For every nation will be healed and every covenant fulfilled."
1995, BMG Songs [ recorded on CD "Mission of Praise" ]
Freely, Freely (also called God Forgave My Sin) - Carol Owens (Matthew 10:8, 28:18)
"All pow'r is giv'n in Jesus' name. . . He said: . . . Go in my name and because
you believe, others will know that I live."
1972, Bud John Songs [ printed in The Celebration
Hymnal ]
Glory, Glory Lord — Bob Fitts
"Sing to the Lord a new song, Sing His praise to the ends of the earth. Let
every nation tell it (declare it!) Till every man has heard (sing out!)"
1990, Scripture in Song [ recorded on CD "I Could Have Danced" ]
"We are commissioned to show them the way . . . Go forth, His Word to
proclaim"
2000, Carol Joy Music
Go Light Your World - Chris Rice
Carry your candle, run to the darkness. Seek out the helpless, deceived and
poor. Hold out your candle for all to see it."
1995, BMG Songs [ recorded on CD "If My People Pray" ]
Go Tell Somebody — Michael Brooks
1987, Bud John Songs
Go Tell the World - Georgian Banov, and Claire Cloninger
Go tell the world. Go take His word. Go spread His joy to every heart that
hungers. Go speak His name; break every chain."
1985, Word / Omnion Music
Go To All Nations - Bryn Haworth
Go to all nations, making disciples, baptizing them in My name. . . Teach
them to do all I told you to do."
1991, Kingsway's Thankyou Music [ recorded on CD "More than
a Singer" ]
God Calls Us - Linda Rebuck, and Tom Fettke
Because so many need to know, it's up to you and me to go."
1985, Pilot Point Music / Lillenas
God of All Nations medley - Carman
1991, Word Music
Going by Giving - Bill Drake, and Dave Davidson
"We're all called to be part of this war. By the work we do, we can go there
too. . . Going by giving, you can be there."
2003
Great Among the Nations - John McKenna (Malachi 1:11)
"From the rising sun unto its going down, will every place adore You. Your
name is great among the nations."
1997, Inside Out Music Productions
Hallelujah to the Lamb — Bob Moen,, and Debbye Graafsma
Lord, I stand in the midst of a multitude
of those from every tribe and tongue. We are Your people redeemed by Your blood."
1997, Integrity's Hosanna! Music
Hands and Feet - Bob Herdman, Charlie Peacock, Mark Stuart, Tyler Burkum, and Will
McGinniss
"An image flashed across my TV screen, another broken heart comes into
view . . . I want to be Your hands, I want to be Your feet. I'll go where You send me."
1999, Up In The Mix Music, Sparrow Song, Andi Beat Goes On Music, Flicker USA
Publishing [
RealAudio
sound clip ]
He Is No Fool - Twila Paris
Based on the words of martyred missionary Jim Elliot
"It's the song of the redeemed rising from the African plain; it's the song of
the forgiven drowning out the Amazon rain; the song of Asian believers filled with God's holy
fire. It's every tribe, every tongue, every nation; a love song born of a grateful choir."
"Let your glory fall in this room. Let it go forth from here to the
nations."
1993, Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
Let Your Heart Be Broken — Bryan Jeffery Leach, and James Mountain
"Let your heart be broken for a world in need. . . Share your rich resources.
Give and give again."
1975, The Evangelical Covenant Church
Lift Jesus High — Scott Wesley Brown
"The season of harvest is now. Rise up and take up your plow. Work while
there's still light, night draweth nigh. Enter the nations, lift up your banner high."
1995, Integrity's Hosanna! Music [ recording on CD "Mission of
Praise" ]
Lift Up Our Eyes - Scott Wesley Brown
1995, BMG Songs
The Light of Jesus to the World - Carman
1984, Lehsem Music
Look What God is Doing - Scott Wesley Brown
1988, Pamela Kay Music / Ariose Music / Alexandria House [ recorded on CD "The Scott
Wesley Brown Collection" ]
Lord of the Harvest - Bill Drake
"Lord of the Nations; Of peoples and tribes and tongues . . . Come, fill us and
send us"
Lord of the Harvest - Bill O'Brienm and Dick Anthony
"Lord of the harvest, the laborers are so few . . . We go now as we
ought."
1977, Lillenas
Lord, Send Me Anywhere - David Livingstonel and Faye Springer Lopez
1978, Musical Ministries / Majesty Music [ Gaither's "Worship His Majesty"
hymnal (check used bookstores) ] [
YouTube ]
Millennial Hymn - Stephen Adamsm and Franz Joseph Haydn
"Called to every culture and nation . . . We have heard that Great Commission."
2000, Brentwood-Benson Music [ Hear the Call
songbook ]
Mission's Flame - Matt Redman
"Let worship be the heart of mission's aim. To see the nations recognize your
fame, til every tribe and tongue voices your praise, send us out."
2004, Thankyou Music / EMI Christian Music Publishing YouTube ]
Move Through Me - Bill Drake
"Crucify self. Set me apart so that the nations hear Your truth. Send this
ambassador for You."
1998, Old Dirt Road Music / Integrity Music
My House Is Full, But My Field Is Empty - Lanny Wolfe
"My house is full, but my field is empty.
Who will go and work for Me today? It seems my children want to stay around my table, but no
one wants to work in my fields."
1977, Lanny Wolfe Music / Gaither
Nearer, My God, to Thee (Missions Version) - Tricia Crabtree
"People in foreign lands have never heard of Thee, I am willing now to
go."
2007, Tricia Crabtree / Faith Music Missions
No More Night - Walt Harrah
"See all around, how the nations bow down to sing. The only sound is the
praises to Christ, our King. Slowly the names from the book are read."
We are called to take His light to a world where wrong seems right. What
would be too great a cost for sharing life with one who's lost?"
1983, Shepherd's Fold Music (EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Please Don't Send Me to Africa - Scott Wesley Brown and Phill McHugh
Please don't send me to Africa. I don't think I've got what it takes. . . . Just
leave me here in suburbia, in my comfortable middle-class life. . . . Please don't send me out into
the bush."
"Here Am I, Lord, send me. . . . You have willed that I would become Your
hands Lord."
1991, Ariose Music / Mountain Spring Music [ YouTube ]
Send Me - Randy Thomas
"Send me when you need someone . . . The battlefield is far away; Warriors
are few . . . Till all the wars have all been won, I'll be serving you."
1985, Bud John Songs, Inc / Light Records [ YouTube ]
1987, Ariose Music / Mountain Spring Music / Alexandria House
Set the World on Fire - Britt Nicole Waddell, Cindy Morgan,, and Jason Ingram
"I wanna set the world on fire until it's burning bright for you. . . I wanna feed
the hungry children and reach across the farthest land and tell the broken there is healing and
mercy in the Father's hands."
"Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, Praise to the King."
1993, Hillsong
Shout to the North - Martin Smith
"Shout to the north and the south. Sing to the east and the west. Jesus is
Saviour to all."
1995, Curious? Music UK
Song of Many Sounds - Steve Fry
1994, Deep Fryed Music, Word Music
Song for the Nations —
Chris Christensen and Lyndell Leatherman
"May we be a shining light to the nations, a shining light to the peoples of the
earth."
1986, Integrity's Hosanna! Music
Spirit of the Sovereign Lord - Andy Park
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon us because He has anointed us to
preach good news."
1994, Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
Stirred But Not Changed - Lanny Wolfe
I'm so tired of being stirred about the lost who need to hear. . . . I'm so tired of
being stirred but not being changed."
1980, Lanny Wolfe Music / Gaither
Take It To All the World — Anne Herring, Jim Tenneboe, and Matthew Ward
1987, Latter Rain Music / Megin's College Fund Music / Midi Mouse Music
Talkin' About Love — Bill Drake
"There's a Commission and there's a Command to tell nations and peoples that
the Kingdom is at hand. . . . Talkin' 'bout Jesus being the answer to the whole of the human
race."
2002, Makaira Music, Old Dirt Road Music [ printed
lyrics ]
Tell the World - Marsha Skidmore
Go ye therefore to every nation. Preach the gospel in every land to every
language and every people."
1994, Doulos Publishing / Maranatha! Music [ lyrics ] [ printed in "Praise Hymns and
Choruses, Singalong Book, 4th edition" ] [ recorded on CD "Praise Band 5: Tell the
World" ]
"Even now upon the earth there's a glimpse of all to come; Many people with
one voice, harmony of many tongues. . . . And what a song we'll sing upon that day."
1996, Kingsway's Thankyou Music
Thy Kingdom Come - C. McKibbin and Charles H. Gabriel
Thy kingdom come! and shall not each one sing it, on land and sea, where'er
His banner goes? . . . When peoples all shall crown Him King of kings. . . O haste to tell the
message; The world is dying for the Word of God. . . . Thy kingdom come! He waits to bless the
nations."
Toward the Mark - Bill Drake
"There is a message, the Great Commission . . . I want to give my life"
"Well the other side of the world is not so far away as I thought that it was. . .
. I pray it won't be long
until Your kingdom comes the other side of the world."
1990, BMG Songs
This is the Gospel of Christ - Scott Wesley Brown
"To redeem a people He calls His own from every nation, tongue and
tribe"
1995, Integrity's Hosanna! Music
Through all the world - Bryan Jeffrey Leech and Paul Lijestrand
"Through all the word let every nation sing to God the King! . . . Through all
the word let every man embrace the gift of grace."
1970, Hymn Society of America (Hope Publishing) [ Hymns for the Family of God
hymnal ]
Turn to Me and Be Saved - Graham Kendrick
"Turn to me and be saved, all you nations. For I am God and there is no
other."
1992, Make Way Music
Until All Have Been Served - Ray Boltz and Steve Millikan
"We need to take them to His word. In every nation let this cry be heard: No,
no, not until all have been served.'"
We All Are One in Mission - Rusty Edwards (Romans 12:5)
"We all are one in mission; we all are one in call . . . so every folk and nation
may feel God's warm embrace."
1986, Hope Publishing
We are His Hands - Mark Gersmehl
1984, Word Music
We Are Not Ashamed - Andrae Crouch
1982, Crouch Music Company / Bud John Songs
We Declare Your Name - Paul and Rita Baloche and Claire Cloninger
We'll spread the power of Your Word to the farthest corners of the earth,
wherever there's a heart that stands in need.
1995 Integrity's Hosanna! Music and Juniper Landing
We Must Go - William Pacarro
"We must go . . . Take His word to all nations and change the world for
Him"
1992, New Song Music
We Speak to Nations - Israel Houghton
"We speak to nations: Be opened. We speak to nations: Fall on your knees.
We speak to nations: The Kingdom near to you."
2001, Integrity's Hosanna! Music
Welcome King of Kings - Noel Richards
1991, Kingsway's Thank You Music
What if I Give All? - Mark Pay and Ray Boltz
"What if I give all I have. What will that gift do? My son, that gift will change
the world. It will free the multitudes"
1996, Shepherd Boy Music / Screaming Toad Music [
streamed MP3 ]
Will You Be Ready? - Michael Brooks
1989, Lexicon Music / Paragon Music
Worthy is the Lamb - Lenny LeBlanc
"All the people of the earth will praise His name, for He is Lord. Every
tongue confess and every knee will bow. . . . Every nation will sing: Worthy is the Lamb that
was slain."
1991, Maranatha! Music / Len Songs Publisher
Yes, Lord, Yes - Lynn Keesecker
"To your will and to your way, I'll say Yes, Lord, yes.'"
1983, Manna Music
You Said - Reuben Morgan
"You said, 'Ask and I'll give the nations to you.' Lord, that's the cry of my
heart. Distant shores and the islands will see your light as it rises on us."
1998, Integrity Music / Hillsong Music
You're The Only Jesus - Gordon Jensen
"If not in you, I wonder, where will they ever see the One who really cares? If
not from you, how will they find there's One who heals the broken heart, and gives sight to the
blind?"
1983, Word Music [ recorded on CD "Tuesdays and Thursdays" ]
Your Great Renown - Eric Grover and Steve Cook
"Our hearts are longing for the glory of the Lord to be made known in all the
Earth . . . We want to see the nations bow."
2000, PDI Worship
Your Love Compels Me - Doug Holck
Your love compels me, Lord, to give as You would give . . . To serve as You
would serve, to be what You would be.
1982, Pilot Point Music / Lillenas
Martin Luther's 1524 Missionary Hymn
Where can we find music for our missions conference?