Oklahoma Baptists gathered at Oklahoma City, First Southern for a cherished event on Thursday, March 9. An unofficial report claimed more than 3,500 people were in attendance for “Hymn Sing: A Night of Celebration and Worship.”
All Oklahoma Baptists musical groups were on stage, nearly 550 musicians, including Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, Singing ChurchWomen of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Baptist Symphony, Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Chorus and Oklahoma Student Worship Choir, to lead this event of reflection and praise.
Randy Lind, Oklahoma Baptists worship and music ministry partner, served as official organizer of Hymn Sing. The two-and-a-half-hour program featured a variety of memorable hymns and praise songs, which were performed with excellence by all the worship groups. Most of all, everyone throughout First Southern’s worship center participated and enjoyed the evening.
Special moments of the event included Anthony Jordan, retired executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists, who spoke on the importance of Falls Creek during a segment titled “Songs of the Creek.” He shared how the well-known youth summer camp in the Arbuckle Mountains has impacted many people over the years to make spiritual decisions, including thousands committing to ministry and mission work.
A video of Lind interviewing legendary Christian artist and hymnist Bill Gaither was shown. Gaither shared some of his great memories of performing in Oklahoma and of his friendship with cherished Falls Creek worship leader Gene Bartlett. Following the video was a singing of Gaither’s well-known hymn “Because He Lives.”
Todd Fisher, executive director-treasure of Oklahoma Baptist, gave a message near the conclusion, reflecting on how Oklahoma Baptists have cooperatively served over the years and offering an invitation for those in attendance to make professions of faith.
Internationally known artist Richard Hight created an image of God’s Hand during Hymn Sing, and the event concluded with a singing of “Amazing Grace,” as the Highland Pipe and Drum corps marched into the worship center.
First Southern offers a recorded viewing of Hymn Sing that can be watched on YouTube.
Photo credits: Chris Doyle, Rick Boyd, First Southern