Let the Earth Rejoice: How a Revolution in Worship Launched a Global Mission Movement

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.