~To The Regions Beyond

       This testimony appeared in an issue of Power magazine under the title “What a Song Did for Me”—

       Ten years ago, while in high school in the Philippines, I dedicated my life for full-time service. Since then, I finished high school, college, and completed a year of seminary.

       Through this schooling, my original call remained clear—to minister to the overseas Chinese in the Philippines.

       But I felt that first the Lord would have me complete seminary training in America.

       One Sunday, just before I went to America for this training, two girls sang a duet in our church youth group. They sang:

To the regions beyond I must go I must go;

Where the story has never been told:

To the millions that never have heard of His love,

I must tell the sweet Story of old.

       Our speaker, a missionary, then stood up and asked: ‘Did you really mean what you sang?’

       As far as I was concerned, his question put me on the spot, for I had hummed and nodded approval during the song. Could I, the youth advisor, truthfully declare that I had fully meant every word of the song?

       After much thought, I renewed by His grace my earlier dedication to go to the Chinese in the Philippines.

       When I applied for my visa to the United States, the American consul asked me, ‘Do you intend to return here to the Philippines following your studies in the United States?’

       I told him that I did.

       Later, a friend asked, “If you were offered a comfortable pastorate with many opportunities for service in America after graduation, would you accept it?”

       I shook my head. I have already been called to the Philippines. I will not go elsewhere, unless God should lead. I thank the Lord for calling me to rededication through that song.

--P. Tan

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The Regions Beyond [1]

1           To the regions beyond I must go, I must go

Where the story has never been told

To the millions that never have heard of His love

I must tell the sweet story of old.

Chorus  To the regions beyond I must go, I must go,

Till the world, all the world, His salvation shall know.

2           To the hardest of places He calls me to go,

Not thinking of comfort or ease;

The world may pronounce me a dreamer, a fool,

Enough if the Master I please.

3           Oh, ye that are spending your leisure and pow’rs

In pleasures so foolish and fond;

Awake from your selfishness, folly and sin,

And go to the regions beyond.

4           There are other “lost sheep” that the Master must bring,

And they must the message be told;

He sends me to gather them out of all lands,

And welcome them back to His fold.