🎵 “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” – The Story Behind the Song This famous hymn is not just a song—it’s a testimony of faith, born from real sacrifice in India in the 19th century.
📜 The Origin: The song comes from the northeast region of India, specifically Assam, during the revival movement in the late 1800s.
A missionary from Wales had preached the gospel there, and many tribal people came to Christ.
One such man was a tribal convert from a headhunting tribe, along with his wife and two children.
💔 The Martyrdom: When the village chief found out about the family's faith, he demanded they renounce Jesus or face death.
But the man replied boldly:
“I have decided to follow Jesus.”
The chief ordered his children to be killed. Still, the man did not deny Christ. He said:
“Though none go with me, still I will follow.”
Then his wife was killed, and the man said:
“The world behind me, the cross before me.”
Finally, the man himself was killed—but his faith inspired the entire village, including the chief, to eventually turn to Christ.
✍️ How It Became a Song: These words were later put into a song by Indian evangelists.
It was brought to the West by the famous revivalist Dr. P. P. Job and later popularized through Billy Graham's crusades, where it was sung in many languages.
🎶 Lyrics (English): pgsql Copy Edit I have decided to follow Jesus I have decided to follow Jesus I have decided to follow Jesus No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow Though none go with me, still I will follow Though none go with me, still I will follow No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me The world behind me, the cross before me The world behind me, the cross before me No turning back, no turning back.
🌟 Why It’s Powerful: This song isn’t just a melody—it’s the story of a martyr’s courage, a testimony of unshakable faith, and a call to follow Jesus no matter the cost.
