As we continue to search for an authentic voice in Western worship, the stories in this anthology will give us direction and hope. Jesus is still at work among us and paving the way for His coming with new songs from all over the world.

Michael Card
author, songwriter, recording musician

At last we have witnesses to the power of music in sharing faith! With supreme devotion to Jesus Christ, and yet little fanfare, the voices in this book have fulfilled the Great Commission through blending Scripture and song in ways that bring cultures and Christ together. This is not the one-way street of 19th century missions, but an exchange of perspectives that gives all of us insight into the myriad ways that God works in the world. All the World Is Singing demonstrates that approaching time when Romans 10:18 will be fulfilled: “Have they not heard? Indeed they have; Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”

C. Michael Hawn
Professor of Church Music, Director, Sacred Music Program,
Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

Out of each nation’s treasury of culture, language and music, the potential exists to craft worship offerings for the Creator, ones that add unique tones and harmonies to the vast orchestra glorifying God. In an age of globalized uniformity, this compilation tells a different story, taking us around the planet with inspiring snapshots of the transforming power of indigenous worship music.

Graham Kendrick
songwriter, recording worship musician

The secret is out. God is doing a marvelous thing. . . . He is making himself known through song! From the Himalayas to the Amazon with stops on every continent, peoples are joining in the growing crescendo of international adoration of the King of the universe! Fortunato, Neeley, and Brinneman have presented us with an impressive array of worship from around the world. God is gathering all the nations to himself and he is doing it through song. Hang on for an amazing venture. Its breadth will astound you.

Roberta R. King
Associate Professor of Communication and Ethnomusicology

Revelation 7 presents the incredible picture of an international crowd—too huge to count—singing the song of the Lamb. This thrilling read shows that preparations for that great day are already in full swing around the world as peoples and tribes of every tongue ‘dwell on his love with sweetest song.’

Peter Maiden
International Coordinator for Operation Mobilization

Evangelizing the multitudes from every tongue, tribe and people centers on freeing them to worship God and express their faith in Christ in their heart language, music and culture. Yet historically, missionaries too often were not sensitive to this fundamental need of believers from newly evangelized cultures. This excellent reader counters such tactless errors of the Church—and does so in a way that moves us to tears. These stories show how people groups have found new spiritual freedom through mother tongue worship. Get ready to see your heart overjoyed and enlivened at the workings of God. But also expect to be challenged yourself with a deeper desire to worship the Lord of the Nations.

Byron Spradlin
President, Artists in Christian Testimony International
Nashville [Brentwood], TN USA

God gave human beings the wonderful gift of music. It reaches into the internal world of our emotions. When combined with words from Scripture, the Message penetrates to the core of our beings. And when rhythms and melodies from our childhood and culture heritage accent the Truth, the impact goes deeper still. Read these stories, and marvel and rejoice at the power of God’s Word, clothed in music from cultures around the world!

John Watters
International Director of Wycliffe/SIL

All the World is Singing is a ground-breaking publication and provides, for the first time in book form, a collection of reports of the power of using heart music in Christian ministry from many different cultures and regions. The readability of the text makes it attractive for full-time missionaries and lay people alike. The value of this collection is inestimable and it should be a standard text for any course on missions and music, and required reading for any general course on missions.

Tom Avery
Ethnomusicology Coordinator for Wycliffe Bible Translators

These stories let us see real faith at work—peoples of the earth wrestling back from Satan the God-given music treasures he has stolen. God lets us take a peek, along with heavenly witnesses, at what is often kept for his eyes and ears alone. As we read these amazing testimonies about creating mother-tongue worship music, may we rejoice together that what had been lost, sometimes for generations, is now being found.

David and Dale Garratt
pioneers of the Scripture in Song movement and
presently encouraging people groups to release indigenous worship.