Mission Trip Report: England Hymns Tour 2026

What a joy it was for 24 members and friends of First Baptist Church to spend eight unforgettable days exploring the rich hymn heritage of England. We had the opportunity to visit places connected to some of the great hymn writers and leaders of the faith—people like John and Charles Wesley, John Newton, William Cowper, Charlotte Elliott, and Francis Ridley Havergal. These are names we often sing about, but being where they lived and served made their stories come alive in a whole new way.  Standing in those places reminded us that the hymns we sing each Sunday aren’t just beautiful songs—they’re powerful testimonies of God’s grace, faithfulness, and transforming work across generations.  While every stop along the way was meaningful, one of the highlights of our trip was our weekend of ministry with Church on the Thames, where our son, Grantham Wash, serves as pastor.  On Saturday morning, we had the simple but meaningful task of preparing gifts for future first-time guests. We wrote personal notes of encouragement inside brand-new Bibles and placed them into welcome bags that will be given to newcomers. It was such a blessing to think that even after we returned home, people we may never meet will receive God’s Word along with a reminder that they are loved, prayed for, and welcomed.  Sunday morning was especially meaningful as we worshiped together with our brothers and sisters at Church on the Thames. We helped with children’s ministry, spent time encouraging families, connected with church members, and experienced the joy of serving alongside a congregation faithfully sharing Christ in one of the world’s great cities.  All throughout the trip, we were reminded that the legacy of these great hymns isn’t just found in historic buildings or museum displays. Their real legacy is the gospel—the same gospel that is still changing lives today. The songs we love continue to point us to the unchanging truth that Christ saves sinners, His grace is enough, and His Church is called to share that message with the world.  Thank you, First Baptist Church, for praying for our team. We came home encouraged, inspired, and even more committed to leading God’s people in worship that is rooted in Scripture and focused on making disciples. Our prayer is that the same God who worked through generations before us will continue to work through our church as we faithfully share His greatness with the next generation.