«While we look for forward with hope to the wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be reveal (Titus 2:13).
Wayne Hooper was a man who, after having an unusual request asked God for unusual wisdom, and in answer to his prayer, touched the lives of thousands of people around the world through the hymn he composed more than fifty years ago, for the 1962 General Conference Session The words that accompany this melody have caused the hearts of everyone who joins in the message to vibrate and has given them strength to go on believing and working when things don ‘t seem very encouraging
In addition to being a musician and perfecting his skills in music as the years went by, Wayne sewed as a pastor and for a long time was part of the team of «Voice of Prophecy, » a radio program broadcast in hundreds of stations around the world, in over 30 languages.
Wayne was also a baritone in the King’s Heralds quartet, which actually sang for the radio program.
In the midst of the pain the nation felt after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, these men’s voices were lifted up among others to proclaim the message of salvation, and the number of radio listeners tripled in a matter of days.
After retiring, he directed the production of the current Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal in English and an additional volume with the story of 695 hymns and their composers. In addition, he composed songs and arrangements for solos, quartets, choirs and orchestras.
He has already passed away, but that doesn’t mean the hope he spoke of has ceased to exist, instead it grows stronger and becomes more real as time goes by.
I’m sure he never imagined his hymn would be translated into dozens of languages, sung by thousands of people in different comers of the earth and would be chosen as the theme song for other sessions.
When I sang it with the River Plate Adventist University choir, I saw hundreds of people moved to tears by that hope, whether they belonged to our denomination or not.
Just like during the war at Pearl Harbor, our voices can rise up above the discouragement reigning in the world and share the hope we have, that burns within our hearts.
«There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God « (Testimony for the Church, VOL 8, ch- p. 19).