Allow me a few minutes of nastalgia, as we celebrate the one hundredth birthday of one of America's beloved gospel singers, George Beverly Shea. Born in Ontario, Canada, he became known all over the world as the soloist for Billy Graham. Most of us can remember his singing, "Just As I Am" at every Crusade. But his signature tune is clearly, "How Great Thou Art." I am amazed as I look back over the years at the impact this song has had on church history.

George's first contact with "How Great Thou Art" was in 1954, but the song itself dates to 1885. Swedish pastor Carl Gustav Boberg was caught in a thunderstorm. He was so filled with awe at the grandeur of the storm, the rainbow, and the brilliant light and bird songs that followed the storm, that he penned the words, "Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the world Thy hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed."

The song made its way to the English speaking world through a German translation, and from Germany to Russia in 1912. In 1922 that Russian language hymn was published as part of a collection of Russian language hymns by the American Bible Society.

An English missionary, Stuart K. Hine, used the song in the Ukraine, and eventually wrote a third verse, in English, devoted to the amazing love of God: "And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in."

When World War II forced Himes back to London, he wrote the final verse, "When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation..."

In 1954, George Beverly Shea met a friend in London who gave him a copy of the song, and from then on, "How Great Thou Art" was featured at most of Billy Graham's crusades. Featured in the 1957 Madison Square Garden crusade, the song was sung almost one hundred times by the insistence of the audience...and it became a standard crusade hymn. Thanks to Elvis Presley and his Grammy-winning version, the song experienced a major revival and became a favorite world-wide.

If you would like to take a walk down history's lane, go here for a 1982 "Tribute to George" by the Billy Graham organization (the segment dealing with "How Great Thou Art" begins at 16 minutes, 23 seconds). When you look at the clothes & styles, just remember that was 27 years ago! My how things have changed...but the message, "How Great Thou Art," though a bit archaic in its English, is still the same. We serve a Great God!

I highly recommend that you find a church where you can worship this Great God with others this weekend. If you are in the East Pierce County area, why not join us for a wonderful time of music, worship and good Bible preaching...we'd love to have you join us at "The Happy Church." Visit our web site for further information, www.ValleyChristianCenterSumner.com. I think you would enjoy worshippng with us.