mgpcpastor's blog

Along with thousands of other churches around the world, mgpc sang Facing A Task Unfinished this morning as part of worship.
As of the 20th of February it was estimated that over a million people in nearly 5000 churches located in 89 countries and in 10 languages were going to sing the song. The actual figures were probably a touch higher.
It especially warmed the hearts of a couple who have history with OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship).
We’ll keep it as part of our repertoire.
The refreshed song marks the 150th anniversary of OMF (originally the China Inland Mission).
Apart from the original creators of the words and melody four other people are credited with having supplied the chorus and some melodic noodling throughout. More importantly, a worthwhile hymn has been reintroduced to a new generation.

The lyrics:
1.
Facing a task unfinished
That drives us to our knees
A need that, undiminished
Rebukes our slothful ease
We, who rejoice to know Thee
Renew before Thy throne
The solemn pledge we owe Thee
To go and make Thee known
2.
Where other lords beside Thee
Hold their unhindered sway
Where forces that defied Thee
Defy Thee still today
With none to heed their crying
For life, and love, and light
Unnumbered souls are dying
And pass into the night
Chorus.
We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord
3.
We bear the torch that flaming
Fell from the hands of those
Who gave their lives proclaiming
That Jesus died and rose
Ours is the same commission
The same glad message ours
Fired by the same ambition
To Thee we yield our powers
Chorus.
We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord
4.
O Father who sustained them
O Spirit who inspired
Saviour, whose love constrained them
To toil with zeal untired
From cowardice defend us
From lethargy awake!
Forth on Thine errands send us
To labour for Thy sake
Chorus.
We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord
Repeat chorus.
We go to all the world
His kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord

Original Words by Frank Houghton. Original Music by Samuel Wesley.
New Words and Music by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Ed Cash, and Fionan de Barra;
© 2015 OMF International, Getty Music Publishing (BMI), Alletrop Music (BMI), and Fionan de Barra (all admin. By MusicServices.org)