The talented young men from Redeemed Quartet are singing the classic hymn, ‘The Old Rugged Cross,’ filmed from its birthplace.
‘The Old Rugged Cross’ is one of the beloved hymns of all times and is sung by congregations around the world. Today we are thrilled to see the exact spot where the song was first sung by its author George Bennard.
George Bennard was a traveling evangelist, from Iowa and once when he was at a revival meeting in 1912, he was ridiculed, interrupted, and harassed by a group of people who mocked the cross.
That must have been a very troubling moment for George because he was a follower of Christ and he loved the cross. But he did not allow bitterness to enter his heart and instead resolved to “cherish the old rugged cross”, which was “despised by the world”.
As a humble servant of Christ, he devoted himself to studying and meditating upon the scriptures and spent many hours in prayer. At the end he said, “I saw the Christ of the cross as if I were seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form and act out the meaning of redemption.”
From every incident of persecution, something beautiful is birthed and we praise God for the inspiration and anointing upon George Bennard that resulted in ‘The Old Rugged Cross.’
This phenomenal song was performed for the very first time in 1913 at the Pokagon Methodist Episcopal Church in Pokagon, Michigan from where The Redeemed Quartet is performing their version of the song today in the exact same building 109 years later.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude to be able to catch a glimpse of the place which birthed this treasured Gospel anthem and we affirm today that we will love and cherish the old rugged cross all our lives. Who else is blessed with this cover today? Comment below.
