The Blessed Gospel Is For All

Bro. John McCaleb was one of ‘our’ pioneer missionaries among churches of Christ in the 20th century. He is the author of the hymn with the above title. This great old hymn many of us have sang in worship from childhood was authored in some very trying circumstances, for bro. McCaleb was one of our first missionaries to Japan during the first half of the century. Tensions between the U.S. and Japan were high at the time, culminating in the attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent American entry into World War II in Dec. 1941. During those tense times before the outbreak of war, some brethren were against McCaleb’s mission efforts among the Japanese. According to one biography, McCaleb authored this great old hymn as a response to this opposition. He knew that “the blessed gospel is for all.” One verse of the song says, "Say not 'the heathen are at home, abroad we have no call.' For why should we be blessed alone, the Gospel is for all." Yes, there are 'heathen' at home. Yes, your neighborhood in America is a 'mission field'. But the need is so great here. The Lord blessed bro. McCaleb's labor with fruits: some of the congregations he planted among the Japanese in the 1920’s & 30’s survived the war and continue to this day. Brethren, we believe as McCaleb did: that the blessed gospel is for all. That includes Filipinos. With your help, our team at Project Philippines is sharing the Gospel here in a place where the church is so small and so new. We continue to thank you for your help and ask your continued support.