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Getty song ‘For the Cause’ dedicated as official SEBTS hymn


WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) — In their latest album “Facing a Task Unfinished,” Christian music artists Keith and Kristyn Getty, have dedicated their song, “For the Cause” to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and President Danny Akin. It will now serve as the official hymn for SEBTS and The College at Southeastern.

“We’re so excited to be involved with helping train the leaders of the next generation … and are particularly excited about Southeastern’s missional and global view,” Keith Getty said.

“Facing a Task Unfinished” is an album focused on congregational singing and missions that was inspired by the original 1931 hymn of the same name — a song that calls Christians to be witnesses around the world.

The new SEBTS hymn, which includes the line “For the cause of Christ we go,” will be used to encourage seminary students to make Jesus known around the world.

SEBTS President Danny Akin described the Gettys as “dear friends to Charlotte and me and the entire Southeastern family.”

“They share our passion for the Great Commission and [for] the peoples and nations who have yet to hear the name of Jesus,” he noted. “We have been talking for several years about them writing a new school song for us that captures our heart for the nations.”

Keith Getty said “For the Cause” as the seminary’s official hymn ties perfectly with the whole album’s focus on global missions.

“In conversations with Danny and Charlotte … we discussed a hymn that would be about mission,” Getty said. “The song is a very natural connection to Southeastern … It’s about fulfilling the Great Commission, and that’s what Southeastern is all about.”

He envisions the hymn being part of graduation ceremonies and commissioning services where the seminary’s students are sent off into ministry with the call of the Great Commission propelling them onward.

“We imagined a thousand young leaders standing and pledging their commitment to go out with the Great Commission,” Getty said.

The song is a great fit for SEBTS, said Akin, who is thankful for a new school hymn centered on missions. “[The Gettys] have given Southeastern Seminary a great gift that I pray our school will honor in spirit and action until King Jesus returns,” he said.

“Facing a Task Unfinished” is set to release June 17, 2016, and SEBTS will give away special edition singles of “For the Cause” during the upcoming Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in St. Louis at both the SEBTS exhibit and alumni luncheon.

The Gettys are also slated to be special guests during the annual meeting’s June 14 service, “A National Call to Prayer for Spiritual Leadership, Revived Churches, and Nationwide & Global Awakening,” to be led by SBC president Ronnie Floyd.

SEBTS will host the Gettys in concert on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. as part of the “Facing a Task Unfinished” tour. Visit www.sebts.edu/gettyconcert to order tickets.

To read lyrics, hear more from Keith Getty and watch the SEBTS music video, visit www.sebts.edu/forthecause. “Facing a Task Unfinished” is available for pre-order at www.gettymusic.com.

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  • Harper McKay