The true story behind the song
‘I have decided to follow Jesus’
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The True Story behind the song ‘I have decided to follow Jesus’: https://renewaljournal.com/2017/11/29/the-true-story-behind-the-song-i-have-decided-to-follow-jesus/
‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’ is a Christian hymn originating from India. The lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Garo, Assam.
About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales. As a result of this, many missionaries came to north-east India to spread the Gospel. The region known as Assam was comprised of hundreds of tribes who were primitive and aggressive head-hunters
Into these hostile and aggressive communities, came a group of missionaries from the American Baptist Missions spreading the message of love, peace and hope in Jesus Christ. Naturally, they were not welcomed. One missionary succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children. This man’s faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity.
Angry, the village chief summoned all the villagers. He then called the family who had first converted to renounce their faith in public or face execution. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man instantly composed a song which became famous down the years. He sang:
“I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.”
Enraged at the refusal of the man, the chief ordered his archers to arrow down the two children. As both boys lay twitching on the floor, the chief asked, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife too.”
But the man sang these words in reply:
“Though no one joins me, still I will follow. Though no one joins me, still I will follow. Though no one joins me, still I will follow. No turning back, no turning back.” |
It was the American Baptist Missionaries. The song is based on the last words of Nokseng, a man from Garo tribe of Assam (now Meghalaya and some in Assam), India. It is today the song of the Garo people. “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” is a Garo song. [Blog updated]
Last week I visited Meghalaya to know more about the origin of this song. There I saw a grave of Omed W. Momin in a cemetery. It says he is the first converted Christian among the Garos. Baptized on 18-02-1863 Died on 17-04-1902
But here it is mentioned the name of Nokseng. I would like to know more about the Nokseng (Which tribe he belongs to whether it is Sangma, Marak, Momin)
Thank you for your information. The original article was a Joel News report. It is likely these Christian pioneers are from different areas.
Sangma, Marak, Momin is the name of tribes. These are titles.
Thank you for sharing this powerful story!
I’m so moved by this great story of the converted Christian family, I could see clearly the power of the Almighty GOD in Jesus Christ in this powerful story. Praise God Jesus.
Sangma, Marak, Momin belong to the Garo tribe.
As a Christian, I am moved by this extraordinary faith. The Song speaks with profound effect in such a powerful confession of Jesus’s name at the cost of his earthly life and his loved ones (according to the story – reminding me of Joshua’s confession in Joshua 24:15) to win the eternal life with Jesus (see Matius 10:39 and Matius 16:25). May the name of Jesus Christ, the Saviour fourishes through the witnesses of true believers. Amen
Such an awesome testimony to the love of Jesus and his sacrifice . That this man was willing to die and see his family die for the love of Jesus. Praise him forever
I know this song since my childhood. I didn’t know the sacrifice made behind it. The blood of two children and parents were shed in order to save us. We came to know Christ the Lord through these people. They were also the disciples of Christ. Now I ask myself, if this situation comes in my life – in front of my family, will I do the same way as this family did? Moreover, these people who gave up their lives for Christ are some Tribal Community. Nowadays, there are Christians who do not treat all the people who follow Jesus as one community.