As You Go…

Ihad the privilege of teaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for many years. I often passed by Fort Worth Hall which bore the inscription in its cornerstone, As Ye Go, Preach. It was a constant reminder in eloquent King James language of the institution’s priority to carry the gospel everywhere. During the seminary’s Centennial Celebration in 2008, this phrase was placed strategically all over campus and recreated in many print publications.

It is taken from Matthew 10:5-7 where Jesus sends out the twelve specifically to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Mark 6:12 tells us they “preached that men should repent.” This first mission trip for the disciples was an early opportunity to fulfill the purpose for which Jesus called them (Mark 3:14). The ESV translates it “…and proclaim as you go.” There is certainly a special calling to vocational ministry, but all who wish to follow Christ are called to spread the message, to “proclaim.” In Luke 10:1, we read that “after this, the Lord appointed seventy others.” With this second mission trip, He widened the scope and sent other followers into the cities where He planned to go. Today, all believers are called to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). This is a daunting task, but Sunday School is one of the great tools in place to help accomplish this.

Reach. Teach. Minister. That’s the thrust of our First Dallas Sunday School. It reminds me of a song I wrote during those days at Southwestern that was inspired by the Fort Worth Hall inscription. The wording may be slightly different, but I think it still captures the challenge that is before us.

As you go, preach
As you go, serve.
Holding forth the riches of His Word.
Facing uncertain cost, seeking the lost.
Christ crucified and ris’n again,
Declare the King who reigns within
Reaching, teaching, preaching as you go.

As you go, preach,
As you go, love,
Standing on each promise from above.
A living sacrifice, willing to pay the price,
Our Savior lives, He reigns on high,
Proclaim the news, His kingdom nigh,
Reaching, teaching, preaching as you go.

As you go, preach.
As you go, share.
From the book with truth beyond compare.
Lifting high the cross counting other things as loss.
Seated at the Father’s hand
Soon upon the earth, He’ll stand.
Jesus Christ, our one desire, Fill us with your Spirit’s fire.
We’re reaching, teaching, preaching as we go!