The Gospel Music Hymn Sing | The United Kingdom Tour

The hymns of the church were written by men and women who experienced the grace of God in both ordinary and extraordinary ways. For hundreds of years, their worship, beliefs and reflections have been preserved and recorded again and again by subsequent generations. Traveling across continents and languages, these hymns have been deeply felt and given hope to an untold multitude.

This fall, In Touch Ministries presented The Gospel Music Hymn Sing Tour to the birthplace of hymnody – The United Kingdom.

Gerald Wolfe, founder of the Gospel Music Hymn Sing, explains how this opportunity came to be. “Toward the end of the Covid shutdowns, we received a message from Andrew McConnell, a gentleman who lives in London who had discovered the Gospel Music Hymn Sing’s YouTube channel. He told me how the video clips we had put on YouTube had encouraged him, during the months his church had been closed. He had even begun to invite neighbors to have “watch parties,” by opening the windows and balconies of their apartments to sing along on Sundays! After the shutdowns were over, he became determined to come to one of our events, and a few months later, he showed up, sitting on the front row in Jacksonville, Florida. Since then, he’s made at least five more trips to the USA to attend Gospel Music Hymn Sing events in person.

When Greater Vision traveled to the UK to record our “Christmas In London” album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, we invited Andrew to attend the recording session. He had lived in London his entire life, but had never seen the inside of the famous Abbey Road studio, so it was really special to see his reaction to being there and seeing and hearing the RPO up close. After the session, he invited us to dinner, and that’s when he began to share his “dream” of helping to bring the Gospel Music Hymn Sing to London. A year later, while I was in London for an In Touch – UK Board meeting, he wanted to meet the team from In Touch, to share his heart about how important an in-person event could be and to encourage Christians in the United Kingdom. Christian churches have been declining in the UK for many years and In Touch was instantly interested in helping. An event like the GMHS goes right along with the ITM mission statement of; “leading people worldwide into a growing relationship with Christ, and strengthening the local church.” The rest, as they say, is history.”

On November 13th, the day finally came. Greater Vision, The Whisnants, Jim & Melissa Brady, The Mylon Hayes Family and the Mark Trammell Quartet landed in London, England for the beginning of an unforgettable week. Not only did they sing the hymns, but experienced the land where many of those great lyrics were written.

London, England

The Gospel Music Hymn Sing began their time in London with its long, rich history of faith. In addition to their concert at the Methodist Central Hall, the artists were able to visit many sites that connected the hymns we love with the stories and writers behind them. One such visit was to the oldest church building in London, St. Bartholomew the Great. This 900 year old church was a place that Charles Wesley preached. Wesley was the hymn writer who gave us the beautiful carol, “Hark, The Harold Angles Sing.” While on the tour, Conner, Bailey and Kennedy Hayes of The Mylon Hayes Family sang the Christmas carol impromptu in the sanctuary of the cathedral. Conner shares, “It was a surreal experience to sing the Christmas staple “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” in a church where Charles Wesley himself had stood to preach.” You can experience it as well, by visiting this link to watch the video: click here!

Just down the road from this historic church, was an area called Little Britain. As the artists made their way up a set of stairs to a place most would walk by, Andrew McConnell stopped and shared how this was the place where Charles Wesley gave his life to Christ. Looking back on that visit, Jeff Whisnant shares, “I truly appreciated getting to experience the actual places where giants of the faith lived and made huge contributions to the Christian world throughout the years (Charles Wesley, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon and more). The history and architecture of London is very much a priority to the people and enjoyable to see in person.”

The concert in London was held on a Saturday afternoon, at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. The event was honored with the presence of the Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster and the Lady Mayoress, who arrived and were greeted by Gerald Wolfe (Greater Vision) and Phillip Bowen (CEO of In Touch Ministries.) The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress were seated on the front row and just a few moments later, the band came out to play. If you have never been to a Gospel Music Hymn Sing event, it is customary for the band to come out ten to fifteen minutes before the start of the program and play hymns until the artists walk on stage. This afternoon, the moment the band began, the people began singing along. With no words on the screen to prompt them or someone on the stage to lead, the people began to sing the lyrics etched on their hearts. “To God be the glory, great things he hath done…”

You can imagine then, the emotion the Gospel Music Hymn Sing felt when they walked on the stage. After a few songs, Gerald Wolfe greeted the crowd and had to pause. Gerald explains, “When I walked out and saw those people so excited to be there, I thought about all that had led up to that moment, and it was just overwhelming. When you think about everything that has happened since that first time in a small theater in Shipshewana, Indiana, when the audience “took over” the program and started singing along while I was playing a hymn medley, to that moment… Standing on the platform in such an historical church, listening to hundreds of people from all over the world, singing those same songs… It was just overwhelming. Our God is SO good, and so faithful, and He has people everywhere, who need to be encouraged by gathering together to sing.” Melissa Brady reflects on meeting and visiting with the people of London. “We were at a cafe in London just a few hours before the concert and a lady came to me in tears, shaking. She was so excited to have the opportunity to see us in person, sing along with the Hymn Sing and just to be a part of something bigger than herself. We’ve found that over and over again, the people are so very thankful that we made the trip.” Stories like that were told over and over again throughout the day. Gerald adds, “There were people who had traveled from across the UK, and even from other countries, just to gather together to sing with us. I met people from the UK, Canada, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and even a Pastor from Evans, GA, who was on his way home from another trip, and scheduled a layover in London, so he could be there.” The afternoon was like a reunion with a family you didn’t know you had. Melissa shares, “It’s incredible to come to another country, meet these people who love the same God that you love and sing the same songs that you like to sing. To sit on the stage and hear them passionately sing songs about the Lord has been absolutely phenomenal. This trip has been one of the most amazing trips of my life.” The afternoon was filled with many voices, tears and worship as both those in the audience and the artists on stage shared their faith through music.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

The very next day, the tour traveled to Belfast, Northern Ireland. The home country of Joseph Scriven, the hymn writer who penned the lyrics to “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” in 1855.

The evening was a sold out concert at Glenmachan Church. Ian McDowell, Concerts at Glenmachan and NSConcerts worked together since January to make the evening a reality, and they could not have done better. The church was at capacity, with 850 tickets sold. Michelle McIlveen (Member of the Legislative Assembly) and Robert Adair (Councilor) were also in attendance, greeting the artists and enjoying the evening of music.

Joan Lonadale, the promoter of Concerts at Glenmachan, shares, “In 14 years promoting concerts at Glenmachan, I have never, ever had as much positive feedback back. It was the best concert EVER and we feel so honoured to have had them all at Glenmachan.”

This love of Gospel music among the people of Belfast was evident that evening. Many times throughout the singing, the voices from the audience would be louder than the artists on stage. It was truly a phenomenal experience to watch and hear God’s people worship together through these lyrics written so long ago. In fact, after intermission, Gerald Wolfe walked on stage holding three pages of hymns that had been requested during the break. Words cannot describe the joy felt in that room. It was an evening you did not want to end. “From the beginning to the end it was anointed and we sure were blessed.” Shares Joan Lonsdale. “Now everyone wants to know when they are returning.” Mark Trammell reflects on the tour and shares, “To be used by the hand of God in this way is overwhelming and humbling.”

While it was wonderful to hear those positive responses, the true success of the tour came from the testimonies of those who came and shared their stories. “There were many, many special moments, and dozens and dozens of personal testimonies I was blessed to hear.” Says Gerald. “I’ve spent the days since, thinking about all the emotional stories I heard during our intermissions and after the events. If I had to narrow it down to just one to share, it would have to be a brief testimony I heard from a lady in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She was probably in her late 80s. She stood patiently, waiting for an opportunity to talk to me. She took my right hand, and held it with both of her hands; looked me directly in the eye and said; “Your videos kept me alive during Covid. I was so lonely, and couldn’t see anyone, but I could watch the videos and sing along with you, and it helped me so much. It saved me. Thank you, thank you.” Her words are forever etched into my memory. I don’t think I will ever forget her face, or the emotion and sincerity in every word she spoke.”

Testimonies like those were the reason the Gospel Music Hymn Sing and In Touch Ministries embarked on the UK Tour. “From the beginning, our mission was straightforward and simple,” says Gerald Wolfe. “We wanted to encourage Christians in the United Kingdom, by bringing them together to sing songs that reminded them of God’s grace and faithfulness. I don’t know of anything that brings people together better than singing. Familiar hymns and Gospel songs that remind us of God’s faithfulness, grace, and the hope of Heaven have been fundamental to worship for centuries.”

Looking back, those centuries were filled with faithful men who came from the very place the tour took place. “When I think about people like Charles Spurgeon, John and Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, Isaac Watts, and John Newton,” says Gerald Wolfe, “it’s impossible to imagine what The Church would be like, without their ministries. Many of the denominations we know today… Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and more, all originated in the United Kingdom. Even today, in what many call a “post-Christian” culture, The Church is still alive and working in the UK, sharing The Gospel. We are so very grateful to have had this amazing opportunity to go and encourage the people who were able to come to London and Belfast. We went to encourage them… but we were the ones who left feeling blessed and encouraged!”

From the testimonies heard and the miles traveled to be a part, GMR can honestly say the Gospel Music Hymn Sing accomplished their goal. In closing, Andrew McConnell, of London, UK, shares, “Attending the Hymn Sings in both London and Belfast was an incredible experience. Singing along to the timeless hymns, many written in the UK, and hearing the congregation come together was truly uplifting. The musicians and singers are exceptionally talented, and Gerald Wolfe and In Touch Ministries deserve huge praise for all they are doing through this ministry. If a Gospel Music Hymn Sing comes to your town or city, make sure you go along, you’ll be truly blessed.”