Go Forth for God

“Go Forth for God” was written by J. R. Peacey in 1969 as a strong missionary and commissioning hymn for the modern church. It quickly became associated with services of dedication, ordination, and Christian sending, especially within Anglican worship. The hymn captures the biblical mandate that believers are not only gathered for worship but also sent into the world for witness and service.

The opening line reflects the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, where Christ commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. It also echoes John 20:21, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” The hymn presents the Christian life as active obedience. Worship does not end at the church door. It continues in daily life through faithful service.

Peacey structures the hymn around the presence of God accompanying His people. The call to “go forth” is not a call to self-reliance. Instead, it rests on the promise that Christ goes with His servants. This aligns with the closing promise of the Great Commission, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” The believer’s confidence is rooted in divine companionship and authority.

Another major theme is representation. The hymn reminds Christians that they act as ambassadors for Christ, reflecting 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.” Every act of service, kindness, proclamation, and obedience becomes a visible testimony to the Lord they serve. This gives dignity and seriousness to everyday faithfulness.

The hymn also emphasizes unity and perseverance. The church goes forward together, strengthened by shared worship and shared mission. It encourages believers to carry the message of grace into a world marked by need and uncertainty. In this way, it resonates with Colossians 3:17, which instructs believers to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Musically and theologically, “Go Forth for God” stands as a twentieth century expression of a timeless truth. The church is both gathered and sent. The hymn reminds worshipers that faith must move beyond words into action. It serves as a fitting conclusion to services where believers are reminded that their calling continues in homes, workplaces, and communities.

“Go Forth for God” remains a powerful reminder that the Christian life is not passive. It is a life of purposeful obedience, carried out under the authority of Christ and empowered by His abiding presence.