Classic world missions hymns and gospel songs

Titles, lyrics, recordings, printed music sources

• World missions can be promoted in otherwise regular church services by the use of a missions-themed song or two.
• Christian missions can be promoted through music. Songs about world missions outreach can set the tone for Faith Promise Conventions and other missions events.
• Lyrics of songs about world missions can provide a theme for a Faith Promise weekend or a missions conference.

Most of the classic missions songs listed are in the public domain. Links to printable lyrics and music of many of these songs about the Great Commission have been included. Lyrics, audio of tunes, and stories behind many of these songs can also be found at: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/index.htm

In 1523, Martin Luther wrote a missionary hymn based on Psalm 67. His "May God Bestow on Us His Grace," has been called "the first missionary hymn of Protestantism."

A Missionary Cry -- Albert B. Simpson and James Burke

"A hundred thousand souls a day are passing one by one away in Christless guilt and gloom. . . . They're passing to their doom."

1891 [ printed music and words from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

A World-Wide Revival -- Lelia Morris ( often listed as "Mrs. C. H. Morris")

"For a world-wide revival, blessed Master, we pray. . . for this world, dearly purchased by the blood of God's Son, back from Satan's dominion and from sin must be won."

1910 [ printed music ]

All The World for Jesus -- Grace Davis and J.H. Fillmore

"All the world for Jesus! Let each one pray and give until remotest nations¹ shall look to Him and live."

1894 [ printed music ]

All Over the World -- Eliza Hewitt and William Kirkpatrick

"Think of the millions who never have heard one precious promise from God's holy Word. . . . Let the bright banner of love be unfurled all over the world."

1896

Anywhere with Jesus -- Jessie B. Pounds, Helen C. Alexander (stanzas 3-4) and Daniel B. Towner

"Anywhere with Jesus, over land and sea, telling souls in darkness of salvation free; ready as He summons me to go or stay, anywhere with Jesus when He points the way."

1887

Arm of the Lord, Awake -- William Shrubsole and Lowell Mason

"Almighty God, thy grace proclaim, in ev'ry land, of ev'ry name."

1796 [ printed music and lyrics from 1910 Free Methodist Hymnal ]

Bring Them In -- Alexcenah Thomas and William Ogden (Matthew 18:12)

"Hark! 'Tis the Master speaks to thee, 'Go find my lambs, where'er they be.'"

1885 [ Sing to the Lord hymnal ] [ Recorded on CD "Inspirational Favorites: Burl Ives ]

Bringing in the Sheaves -- Knowles Shaw and George Minor

"Sowing in the morning . . . Waiting for the harvest and the time of reaping, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves."

1874 [ YouTube ] [ printed music ] Published in Great Hymns of the Faith and other hymnals

Christ for the World We Sing -- Samuel Wolcott (Mark 16:15)

"Christ for the world we sing! The world to Christ we bring with loving zeal . . . with fervent prayer . . . with joyful song."

1869 -- [ published in Hear the Call songbook ] [ Midi audio and lyrics ]

Come, Labor On! -- Jane Borthwick and J. Buchanan MacMillan

"Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain while all around him waves the golden grain?"

1962 (Music), Christian Publications [ printed music and words from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

Disciple the Nations -- Dan Whittemore

"Come, let us do all we can. Come, let us all join our hands and disciple the nations until Jesus returns."

1976, Lillenas Publishing [ printed music ]

Eternal God, Whose Power Upholds (Everyland) -- Henry Tweedy and Lily Rendle

"Eternal God, . . . to whom there is . . . no alien race, no foreign shore, no child unsought, unknown. O send us forth, Thy prophets true."

1928 (winner of Hymn Society of America's annual missionary hymn competition) -- [ printed music ]

Facing a task unfinished -- Frank Houghton

"Facing a task unfinished that drives us to our knees . . . The solemn pledge we owe Thee to go and make Thee known."

1930, Overseas Missionary Fellowship [ printed in Songs of Fellowship Collection, Vol. 1 ]

Fill up the ranks -- Albert B. Simpson and George Stebbins

"They are falling by the mighty Congo, They are dying in the dark Soudan; They are lying 'neath the sun of India, They are buried by the shores of Japan . . . Who will enlist in the hosts of the Lord?"

[ printed music from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

Fling out the banner -- George Doane and John Calkin (same tune used with "I heard the bells on Christmas day")

"Fling out the banner! heathen lands shall see from far the glorious sight"

1848, [ printed music ]

Follow Me -- Ira Stamphill

"Oh, Jesus, if I die upon a foreign field someday, 'Twould be no more than love demands, no less could I repay"

1953

For My Sake and the Gospel's -- Edward H. Bickersteth and Arthur S. Sullivan

"The trump of jubilee proclaims to every nation, from pole to pole, by land and sea, glad tidings of salvation."

1899 [ printed music and words from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

For the Whole Wide World -- Lelia Morris ( often listed as "Mrs. C. H. Morris" )

"Of one blood God hath made all the nations of the earth. . . . We must carry the Gospel to earth's remotest bound. Men are dying for the precious word."

1912 [ printed music ]

From Greenland's Icy Mountains -- Reginald Heber and Lowell Mason

"Salvation! O Salvation! The joyful sound proclaim 'til earth's remotest nation has learned Messiah's name."

1819 [ printed music ] [ Great Hymns of the Faith hymnal ]

From the rising of the sun -- anonymous

"From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised" (the allusion in Psalm 113, from which this is taken, is geographical rather than the time of day)

[ words and audio ]

Go! -- Paul Rader

"'Uttermost part' is His order; Dare any answer no? What will you do when you meet Him, if you refuse to go?"

1918 [ printed music ] Also published in Hymns of Glorious Praise ]

Go and Tell Them -- A.B. Simpson and Ada Gibbs

Send the gospel of salvation to a world of dying men. Tell it out to every nation till the Lord shall come again."

[ Voices in Worship hymnal ]

Go Forth And Tell! -- James Sheldon (Acts 1:8)

"O Church of God, awake! God's saving news to all the nations take. . . . Go till all nations His great name adore."

1964, Jubilate Hymns Limited / Hope Publishing [ Sing to the Lord hymnal, set to George Warren's "National Hymn" tune ]

Go, Labor On: Spend and Be Spent -- Horatius Bonar

"The world's dark night is hastening on. . . . Go forth into the world's highways. Compel the wanderer to come in."

1843

Go Tell the Untold Millions -- John W. Peterson

"Out in the darkness of sin they are waiting . . . Go tell the untold millions over the whole world wide."

1962, Singspiration [ Great Hymns of the Faith hymnal ] [published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

Go Ye Into All the World -- James McGranahan

"All power is given unto Me. Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel."

1886 [ printed music ] [found as "Far, Far, Far Away in Sin and Darkness Dwelling" in Hymns for the Family of God hymnal ]

Go, Ye Messengers of God -- Joshua Marsden and William J. Kirkpatrick

"Bear the tidings round the ball; visit every soil and sea. Preach the cross of Christ to all."

1812 [ printed music ]

God calls Us -- Linda Rebuck and Tom Fettke

"Because so many need to know, it's up to you and me to go . . . God calls us."

1985, Pilot Point Music and Lillenas Publishing [ printed music ]

Gospel Tidings -

"How beauteous are their feet who stand on Zion's hill, who bring salvation on their tongues. . . Through all the earth abroad; let every nation now behold their Savior and their God."

Hail To The Brightness of Zion's Glad Morning (also known as "The Latter Day") -- Thomas Hastings and Lowell Mason (Isaiah 9:2)

"Joy to the lands that in darkness have lain! . . . See, from all lands, from the isles of the ocean, praise to the Savior ascending on high."

1831[ Great Hymns of the Faith hymnal ]

Hark! The Voice of Jesus Calling -- Daniel March and Louis von Esch ( also known as "Hear the Voice of Jesus Calling")

"Who will go and work today? Fields are white, the harvest waiting. Who will bear the sheaves away?"

1868 [ printed music ] [ found as "Hear the Voice of Jesus Calling" in Hymns for the Family of God hymnal ]

Harvest Bells -- William Penn and J.M. Hunt

"The harvest field is white, and many souls are sinking into eternal night. The harvest bells are ringing."

1882

Harvest Time -- Paul Rader and Lance Latham

"The harvest fields are bending with precious ripened grain; More reapers now are needed."

1921

Harvest Time -- Wanda Smith

The grain is falling; the Savior's calling. Oh, do not wait! It's growing late. Behold, the fields are white; it's harvest time."

1949, Aim High Music Group / BMG Music Publishing Published in Sing His Praise

Haste Away -- Onie L. Francis

"Rouse, O reapers, up and haste away . . . Haste unto the world wide harvest field."

1923 (published in three hymnals: Gospel Tidings: a Book of Select Gospel Songs, The Crown, and Victory for Christian Work and Worship)

He Was Not Willing -- Lucy Meyer

"Perishing, perishing! Harvest is passing, reapers are few, and the night drawing near."

[ printed music from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

Heralds of Christ -- Laura Copenhaver and George Warren

"Through desert ways, dark fen, and deep morass, through jungles, sluggish seas and mountain pass . . . Prepare across the earth the King's highway."

1915 [ printed music ]

Here Am I, Send Me -- Charles Gabriel and J. Gilchrist Lawson

"The field is white, the laborers few. Here am I, send me! Over mountain, plain or sea,. . . I'll go to the ends of the earth for Thee."

1910 [ printed music ]

How Beauteous Are Their Feet -- Isaac Watts and Louis Bourgeois (Romans 10:15)

"How beauteous are their feet . . . who bring salvation on their tongues. . . Let every nation now behold their Savior and their God!"

1707

How Shall They Hear the Word of God? -- Michael Perry and Koch

"How shall the gospel be preached that sinners may repent? . . . So, send us Lord, for we rejoice to speak of Christ with life and voice."

1982 (lyrics), Hope Publishing [ printed piano music ] [ audio file ]

I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go -- Mary Brown and Carrie Rounsefell

"There's surely somewhere a lowly place in earth's harvest fields so wide where I may labor through life's short day for Jesus the Crucified."

1899 [ YouTube ] [ printed music ] [ published in Hear the Call songbook ] [ Great Hymns of the Faith ] [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

If Jesus Goes With Me -- C. Austin Miles

"It may be I must carry the blessed word of life across the burning deserts to those in sinful strife . . . If Jesus goes with me, I'll go anywhere."

1908 [ Songs of Faith and Praise hymnal ] [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

Imagine the Harvest -- Todd Webb

"Imagine the harvest; reach out to our world. Retelling the story . . . Redeeming the lost ones at home and abroad."

1997, Nazarene World Mission Society (Quadrennial theme song) [ Sheet music: lyrics and music ]

In Christ There Is No East Or West -- William Dunkerley (John Oxenham) and Alexander Reinagle

"In Christ there is no East or West, In Him no South or North; But one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth."

1908 [ published in Hear the Call songbook ] [ Great Hymns of the Faith hymnal ]

Increase My Vision -- Dick Anthony

"Increase my vision, my vision of the lost; help me to understand the value, not the cost."

1971, Lillenas Publishing [ printed music ]

Jesus Saves! -- Priscilla J. Owens and William J. Kirkpatrick (Psalm 96:2)

"Bear the news to every land. Climb the steeps and cross the waves. 'Onward!' 'tis our Lord's command."

1868 -- [ Sing to the Lord hymnal ]

Jesus Shall Reign -- Isaac Watts and John Hatton

"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun does his successive journeys run . . . People and realms of every tongue dwell on His love."

1719 [ printed music ] [ hymn story ]

Jesus, Use Me -- Jack and Billy Campbell

"If it be Thy will, Lord, to send me o'er the sea, I'll follow Thee tho' death should come my way."

1963, Gospel Publishing House [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

Labor On -- Christopher R. Blackall and W. Howard Doane

"In the harvest field there is work to do, For the grain is ripe, and the reapers few"

`870

Lead On, O King Eternal -- Ernest Shurtleff and Henry Smart

"Lead on, O King eternal, to lands of deepest night; We follow where Thou leadest as heralds of the light" ( words from third verse found only in Voices in Worship: Hymns of the Christian Life hymnal )

Let Us Go -- Albert B. Simpson and Ludwig van Beethoven (arrangement by Eldon McBride)

"Let us go and preach the gospel as a witness to the world. And for every tongue and people let Christ's banner be unfurled."

1998 (music) Eldon McBride [ Voices in Worship hymnal ]

Let your heart be broken -- Bryan Jeffery Leech and Fred Bock

"Let your heart be broken for a world in need . . . Blest to be a blessing . . . Serve Him far and near."

1976, Fred Bock Music Company [ Hymns for the Family of God hymnal ]

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Gates of Brass -- James Montgomery

"Where hallowed footsteps never trod, take your appointed post. . . .Go to the conquest of all lands -- All must be His at length"

[ printed music from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

Lord of the Living Harvest -- John S. B. Monsell and Lowell Mason

"Lord of the living harvest that whitens o'er the plain . . . Accept these hands to labor, these hearts to trust and love."

1866 [ printed music ]

Lord of the Harvest -- Bill O'Brien and Dick Anthony

"Lord of the harvest, the laborers are so few; Lord of the harvest, there's so much yet to do."

1977, Lillenas Publishing Company [ printed music ]

Lord, Thy Church On Earth Is Seeking -- Hugh Sherlock and Thoro Harris

We would heed thy Great Commission, Go ye into every place'"

1959, Nazarene Publishing House [ MP3 audio ] Printed in The Baptist Hymnal (1991 edition) ]

Macedonia -- Anne Ortlund and Henry Cutler (Acts 16:9)

"The vision of a dying world is vast before our eyes"

1966, Anne Ortlund [ Hymns for the Family of God hymnal ]

Missionaries -- Claude and Carolyn Rhea

"Missionaries tell of Jesus 'round the world . . I can help them."

1975, Lillenas Publishing [ printed music ]

My Trust -- A.B. Simpson and Gene Rivard

"Let me be faithful to my trust, telling the world the story. Press on my heart the woe. Give me the will to go."

2002 (music), Gene Rivard [ Voices in Worship hymnal ]

O Zion, Haste -- Mary Ann Thomson and James Walch (Isaiah 40:9) (also titled "O Christians, Haste")

"Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation that God, in whom they live and move, is love. Tell how He stooped to save His lost creation and died on earth that man might live above."

1868 -- [ printed music ] [ published in Sing to the Lord hymnal ]

Our God Reigns -- Leonard (Lenny) Smith

"How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news."

1974, 1978, New Jerusalem Music [ sheet music with melody line and guitar chords ] [ SATB arrangement by Tom Fettke ] [ Lenny Smith and family singing ] [ orchestral background ]

Our Mission -- Margot Zilch

"We go at His commission, We move at His command . . . to men of every land."

1968, Gospel Publishing House [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

Reach Your Arms Around The World -- Haldor Lillenas and Vida Munden Nixon

"Spread abroad the story of salvation, the world wide world around; to each kindred, every tribe and nation, wherever sin is found."

1928, Renewed 1955, Lillenas Publishing Company [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

Ready -- Charles Tillman and A.C. Palmer or S.E.L.

"Ready to stay at home and send others if He sees best. Ready to go, ready to stay."

1903 [ printed music ] [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

Reapers, Haste Away -- Virgil O. Stamps

"O see the golden harvest . . . Go to the harvest field."

Used in two hymnals: Favorite Radio Songs and Praise Evangel for Sunday Schools

Redeem the Time -- Albert B. Simpson and Margaret M. Simpson

"Redeem the time, let us send the gospel to the farthest bounds of the human race; Over all the world let us spread the tidings while lasts our day of grace."

1962, Christian Publications [ printed music from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

Rescue the Perishing -- Fanny Crosby and William Doane (Jude 23)

"Rescue the perishing. Duty demands it. Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide."

1869 [ printed music ] [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal and in Sing to the Lord hymnal ]

Rise, Thou Light of Gentile Nations -- Hermann Fick and Johann Thommen

"Sound we forth the Gospel tidings to the earth's remotest bound that the sinner has been pardoned and forgiveness can be found. . . May our zeal to help the heathen be increased from day to day."

1885

Roll On, Thou Mighty Ocean -- James Edmeston and Robert Jackson

"Bear messengers of mercy to ev'ry land . . . that man may sit in darkness and death's black shade no more"

1822 [ printed music ]

Saving and Serving -- Albert B. Simpson and Margaret M. Simpson

Going where darkness and sorrow are found; Seeking the lost to earth's uttermost bounds."

[ printed music from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

Savior, Sprinkle Many Nations -- Arthur C. Coxe and John Zundel (Isaiah 1:15 KJV)

"Savior, lo, the isles are waiting. . . . Of the preacher, speed the foot and touch the tongue 'til on earth by every creature 'Glory to the Lamb' be sung."

1851 [ printed music ]

Send the Gospel Light -- Fanny Crosby and Ira Sankey

"Send the Light, oh, send it quickly to the isles beyond the sea"

1899

Send the Light -- Charles Gabriel

"There's a call comes ringing o'er the restless wave, 'Send the light!' . . . We have heard the Macedonian call today, 'Send the light!'"

1890, [ PDF of words and music ]     [ published in Sing to the Lord hymnal ] [ Great Hymns of the Faith hymnal ] [ Recorded on CD "Country Mountain Hymns, Vol. 2" ]

So Send I You -- Otis Skillings

"So send I you. Unto the uttermost part of the earth, proclaiming the message til all men have heard"

1985 and 1987, Lillenas Publishing [ printed music ]

So Send I You -- by Grace Made Strong -- Margaret Clarkson with music by two different composers: John W. Peterson and Kurt Kaiser (John 20:21)

"As the Father has sent Me, so send I you . . . to take to souls in bondage the Word of truth that sets the captive free."

1964, Singspiration Music / Benson Music Group [ published in Sing to the Lord hymnal (music by Peterson) ]

Souls in Death and Darkness Lying -- Cecil F. Alexander and Thomas Hastings

"Souls in death and darkness lying where no light has broken through . . . Thousand voices call us o'er the waters blue."

1830

Speak, My Lord -- George Bennard

"Hear the Lord of the harvest sweetly calling, Who will go and work for me today? Who will bring to me the lost and dying?"

1911[ printed music ] [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

Speed Away -- Fanny Crosby and Isaac Woodbury

"Speed away, speed away, on your mission of light, To the lands that are lying in darkness and night."

1890, [ printed music with lyrics by Thomas Nelson (1899) ]

Speed the Light -- Elisha Hoffman

"To the millions living o'er the deep, deep sea, speed the light . . . There in anguish, millions for the gospel wait. Speed the light. . . . Souls are waiting and the fields are white."

1899 [ printed music and words from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

Take My Life and Let It Be -- Frances Havergal

"Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord to thee. . . . Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee."

1874

Tell the Blessed Story -- Haldor Lillenas (I Corinthians 1:23)

"'Go ye into all the world' and everywhere tell the blessed story of the cross. . . . Stand no longer idle while the moments fly."

1920 [ printed music ] [ published in Sing to the Lord hymnal ]

That the World May Know -- Sue Caudill

"I want the world to know that Jesus loves them so."

1985, Nazarene Publishing House [ printed music ]

The Battle Is the Lord's -- E. Margaret Clarkson and Meyer Lyon

"The harvest fields are white: How few the reaping hands appear, their strength how slight! Yet victory is sure."

[ printed music and words from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

The Breaking of the Bread -- Beatrice Bixler

"Today they die in heathen lands. They die in want and dread, for they have been omitted in the breaking of the Bread. Lord, I would give them the Bread of Life."

1944, Singspiration [ Voices in Worship hymnal ]

The Call for Reapers -- J.O. Thompson and J.B.O. Clemm (also called "Far and Near")

"Far and near the fields are teeming with waves of ripened grain. . . Lord of the harvest, send for reapers!"

[ Great Hymns of the Faith hymnal ] [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

The Kingdom Is Coming -- Mary B. C. Slade and Rigdon M. McIntosh (tune also credited to Emilius Laroche)

"The voice of salvation awakes every nation. 'Come over and help us,' they cry."

1876 [ printed music ]

The Light of the World Is Jesus -- Philip Bliss

"The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin. The Light of the world is Jesus!"

1875 [ printed music ]

The Macedonian Cry -- Mrs. Cecil Alexander and Thomas Hastings

"Souls in heathen darkness lying where no light has broken through; souls that Jesus bought by dying. . . . Thousand voices call us."

[ printed music ]

The Morning Light is Breaking -- Samuel Smith and George Webb (same tune as "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus")

"Blest river of salvation, pursue thine onward way. Flow thou to every nation, nor in thy richness stay."

1851 [ printed music ]

The Ninety and Nine -- Elizabeth Clephane and Ira Sankey

1868 [ printed music ]

The Regions Beyond -- A. B. Simpson and Margaret Simpson

"To the regions beyond I must go . . . where the story has never been told . . . Till all the world, His salvation shall know."

1904 [ printed music ] [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

The Vision -- H.C. McKinney and Oren Munger

I have seen the heathen in their darkness, I have heard their cry of grim despair; All my heart is burning with the passion to bring to them the light of Jesus."

1950, Gospel Publishing House [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

The Whole Wide World for Jesus -- J. Demster Hammond and William J. Kirkpatrick

"The whole wide world! Proclaim the Gospel tidings thro' the whole wide world! . . . Till ev'ry tongue confess Him."

1885

The Work Must Go On -- Laurene Highfield and Samuel Beazley

"A glad message rings through the world today . . . The good work must go on and on, til the world for our Lord is won."

1911, renewed 1939, Nazarene Publishing House [ printed music ]

This Pair of Hands -- Floyd Hawkins

"To bring Thy healing touch to darkest lands, I give to Thee, my God, this pair of hands."

1963, 1991, Lillenas [ published in Hear the Call songbook ]

Thou Whose Almighty Word -- John Marriott and Felice de Giardini

"Move on the waters' face, bearing the lamp of grace, and in earth's darkest place, Let there be light. . . . Through the world, far and wide, Let there be light."

1813 [ printed music and words from 1962 Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal ]

Throw Out the Lifeline -- Edwin Ufford and George Stebbins

"Throw out the lifeline to danger-fraught men sinking in anguish where you've never been . . . Haste then, my brother, no time for delay."

1888 [ printed music ]

Thy Kingdom Come -- Albert B. Simpson

"This is the song I sing: Thy kingdom come, Thy kingdom come. . . Through all the earth abroad where humankind has trod, send forth thy word, O God."

[ Voices in Worship hymnal ]

Till the Whole World Knows -- Alfred and Bentley Ackley

"I'll tell to all that God is love; for the world has never known the great compassion of His heart . . . I will shout and sing of Christ my King, till the whole world knows"

1951, Rodeheaver [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

Twelve Is Not Enough -- Ted Wuerffel

"'Go into the world,' He's calling you . . . God into the world and preach the Gospel!"

1982 and 1986, Lillenas Publishing [ printed music ]

Unto the Uttermost -- Beth Tuley

In Jerusalem and in Samaria, unto the uttermost! To the millions lost, we must bear the cross."

1964, Gospel Publishing House [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

We'll Girdle the Globe -- V.A. Dake and Ida M. Dake

"We'll girdle the globe with salvation, with holiness unto the Lord! And light shall illumine each nation, the light from the lamp of His word!" classic lyrics that mean we'll cover the globe or we'll go all the way around the globe

1891, [ printed music ]

We've a Story to Tell to the Nations -- H. Ernest Nicol (Matthew 24:14)

"We've a story to tell to the nations that shall turn their hearts to the right. . . . We've a song to be sung to the nations that shall lift their hearts to the Lord, a song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword."

1896 -- [ published in Sing to the Lord hymnal ] [ "Great Hymns of the Faith" hymnal ] [ published in Hymns of Glorious Praise hymnal ]

When the whole world lives for Him -- B.D. Ackley and William Charles Poole

"When the whole world lives for Jesus . . . Let us work and haste that day when each tribe and land and nation gladly owns His rule and sway."

1938, Rodeheaver, Word Music [ printed music ]

Where He Leads Me -- Edward Blandy and John Norris (Matthew 4:19)

"I can hear my Savior calling, 'Take thy cross and follow, follow me.'"

1890 [ Mahalia Jackson on YouTube ]

Wherever He Leads, I'll Go -- B.B. McKinney

1964, Broadman Press [ story behind the song ]

Win the Lost at Any Cost -- Leon Ellis

"Souls are dying, men are crying, won't you lead them to the cross? Go and find them, help to win them."

1959, Tennessee Music and Printing Company / SpiritSound Music

Ye Christian Heralds! -- Bourne Draper and Heinrich Zeuner

"Go proclaim salvation through Immanuel's name. To distant climes, the tidings bear and plant the Rose of Sharon there."

1803 [ printed music ]

Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim -- Charles Wesley and Johann Haydn/William Croft (Psalm 123:1; Revelation 7:9-12)

"Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim, and publish abroad His wonderful Name."

1744 [ Voices in Worship hymnal ]

Your Mission -- Ellen Gates and Sidney Grannis

"If you cannot on the ocean sail among the swiftest fleet . . . You can lend a hand to help them as they launch their boats away."

1860 [ printed music ]

For those songs that are still under copyright, contact the publishers concerning costs for reproducing them.

¹Note: In the Bible, the word "nations" does not mean political entities like China, India and the USA. Rather, it means people groups or societies in which people speak the same language, have the same culture, and live in or have originated in the same area. "Nations" is synonymous with the plural word "peoples." In other words, nations in the Bible means all of the world's people grouple other than the people of Israel.

    -- compiled by Howard Culbertson,

Afterword: Thoughts on the Value of Using Music to Promote World Evangelism Efforts