September 13, 2019
Hundreds of community members gathered at East Texas Baptist University for the 9th annual Great East Texas Hymn Sing on Friday, September 13. ETBU welcomed the campus, alumni, and local church community to Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center for a special time of worship, fellowship, and celebration of Christian faith.
“East Texas Baptist University has been singing the hymns, the great songs of faith, since the first pastor of First Baptist Church Marshall stood on top of this Hill and claimed it for God,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. “Since then, we have remained committed as an institution to preserving the heritage of worship through our beautiful hymn songs. Today we have differences in worship styles, music genres, and instruments, but here at ETBU we are not swayed by the cultural influence of the day, for the Word of God does not change, and ETBU’s commitment to teach God’s Truths will never change. ”
Along with the University community, various church groups from Texas and neighboring states attended the event to praise the Lord through hymns, celebrate traditions of faith, and fellowship with other Christians.
“The Great East Texas Hymn Sing is always a neat and exciting way to display interdisciplinary worship,” Dean of the School of Communication and Performing Arts Tom Webster said. “This is an amazing opportunity for participants to teach our students the great hymns of the faith, and it gives our students the opportunity to lead worship for a group that is not their own age.”
During the service, longtime supporters of East Texas Baptist University Dr. Charles and Mrs. Joann Whiteside were recognized for their devotion and support of the University and its mission with an induction into the Founder’s Society.
“There’s just something about ETBU that keeps drawing us back,” Dr. Whiteside said. “It all started with this event right here. We love the Hymn Sing and Hilltop U in the spring. There’s something about this small school that we love.”
During the service, participants were invited to worship through the practice of giving. Offerings collected will go to student ministries work across the local Marshall community as well as outreach programs enabled by University-run student mission trips.
“Our students are doing missions all around the world, and this is a chance for the community to partner with us as we send our students across the globe,” Vice President for Advancement Dr. Scott Bryant said. “We are grateful for this opportunity to be able to worship together with great hymns of the faith. Hymns that have encouraged us, strengthened us, and challenged us throughout our lives, hymns we turn back to in times of need.”