The Untold Story of How Hymns Ignited Missions

Worship and mission have always been intertwined?a bond evident since the earliest days of the church. In the 1700s, two powerful movements reshaped global Christianity: the rise of English congregational hymnody at the beginning of the century, and the launch of a far-reaching Protestant mission movement at its end.

Let the Earth Rejoice uncovers the surprising connection between these developments, arguing that a revolution in congregational singing helped pave the way for the missionary efforts that followed. The hymns of this era carried a rich theological vision and a call to the nations. As churches sang them week after week, a new mindset took root, stirring hearts for global mission long before the first ships set sail.

This book lies at the intersection of church history, missiology, and liturgics. It reveals the hidden connection between worship and mission, showing how two waves?one of song, one of mission?emerged from a small group of churches and changed the world.

Matthew Burden (PhD) is an author, theologian, and pastor who lives and works in eastern Maine with his wife, Rachel, and their three children. He has published books across a wide range of disciplines and genres, and his articles have appeared in such venues as Christianity Today and Studia Patristica. His academic research centers on the way that aspects of ecclesiology, including worship, inform and influence the mission of the church. His previous books include Who We Were Meant to Be, an exploration of patristic views on Christian identity, and Missionary Motivations: Challenges from the Early Church.