Keith and Kristyn Getty song For the Cause dedicated as official Southeastern hymn
January 19, 2017
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 (SEBTS) 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,” said Keith.
“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 urgently calls Christians to be witnesses around the world.
The new SEBTS hymn, which includes the line “For the cause of Christ we go,” captures the heart of the SEBTS community and will be an inspirational song to encourage students to make Jesus known around the world.
“Keith and Kristyn Getty are 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,” said SEBTS President Danny Akin. “We have been talking for several years about them writing a new school song for us that captures our heart for the nations.”
Keith said “For the Cause” as Southeastern’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,” said Keith. “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 SEBTS 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,” Keith said.
The song is a great fit for SEBTS, according to Akin, who is thankful for a new school hymn centered on mission. “[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 on June 17, 2016, and SEBTS will give away special edition singles of “For the Cause” during the 2016 Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, at both the SEBTS exhibit and alumni luncheon.
SEBTS will host the Gettys in concert on October 21, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. as part of the “Facing a Task Unfinished” tour. Visit www.sebts.edu/gettyconcert to order tickets.
To read the lyrics of the new hymn, visit www.sebts.edu/forthecause.
“Facing a Task Unfinished” is available for pre-order at www.gettymusic.com.
Hear Keith Getty explain the inspiriation behind “For the Cause” and enjoy an exclusive mix of the song with a special music video featuring Southeastern students: