I have decided to follow Jesus

- Music -
History
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus is a Christian
hymn that originated in Assam, India.

According to Dr P. Job, the lyrics are based on

the last words of Nokseng, a Garo man, a tribe
from Meghalaya which then was in Assam, who along
with his family decided to follow Jesus Christ in the
middle of the 19th century through the efforts of an
American Baptist missionary.
 Called to renounce his faith by the village chief,
the convert declared, “ I have decided to follow
Jesus."
His two children were killed and in response to
threats to his wife, he continued, "Though no one
join me, still I will follow."
His wife was killed, and he was executed while
Saying, “ The world behind me, The cross before
me."
This display of faith is reported to have led to
the conversion of the chief and others in the village.
Sadhu Sundar Singh
• Composer of I have decided to
follow Jesus
• He compose I have decided
to follow Jesus through the
words of Nokseng.
• born September 3 1889
• Died 1929
• He is believed to have died in
the foothills of the Himalayas
 Formation
• The formation of these words into a hymn is
attributed to the Indian missionary Sadhu Sundar
Singh.
• The melody is also Indian, and entitled "Assam"
after the region where the text originated.
• An American hymn editor, William Jensen
Reynolds, composed an arrangement which was
included in the 1959 Assembly Songbook.
• William Jensen Reynolds version became a
regular feature of Billy Graham's evangelistic
meetings in America and elsewhere, spreading
its popularity.
Reason Why it is Not In the
Hymnals
• Due to the lyrics' explicit focus on the believer's own
commitment, the hymn is cited as a prime example
of decision theology, emphasizing the human response
rather than the action of God in giving faith. This has
led to its exclusion from some hymnals.
Thank You for Listening

John 12:26

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am,
there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him
will my Father honour.