B. B. McKinney Grave

Author: Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go

“The radiant and gentle life of B. B. McKinney exemplified his Christianity as he lived and walked among men. As one of our foremost and very meaningful song writers and singers, he was always so modest, never wanting any credit for his ability, but just ever trying to use the talent God had given him”

The Origins of the Hymn “Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go”

Among the many hymns that have shaped Christian worship in the twentieth century, “Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go” stands out for its simple yet powerful expression of obedience to Christ. Its origins are not only a story of music and words but also of friendship, sacrifice, and surrender to God’s will. To understand the hymn’s place in Christian devotion, it is helpful to look at the life of its author, the circumstances in which it was written, and the spirit of faith that brought it into being.

The Hymn Writer: B. B. McKinney

Baylus Benjamin McKinney, better known as B. B. McKinney, was born in 1886 in Heflin, Louisiana. From a young age, he displayed both a love for music and a deep commitment to his faith. After studying at Louisiana College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the School of Sacred Music in Fort Worth, he devoted his life to music ministry within the Southern Baptist Convention.

McKinney became one of the most prolific hymn writers of his time. He wrote the music and text for more than 150 hymns and gospel songs, and he also edited or contributed to numerous hymnals. Many of his songs are still sung in churches today, including “Glorious Is Thy Name” and “Satisfied with Jesus.” Yet among his works, “Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go” remains one of the most enduring.

The Encounter with a Missionary

The story of the hymn’s origin begins not with McKinney himself but with his close friend, Reverend R. S. Jones, a Southern Baptist missionary. Jones had been serving faithfully in Brazil, dedicating his life to sharing the gospel there. However, during a furlough in the United States in 1936, Jones received discouraging news from his doctors: due to poor health, he would not be able to return to the mission field.

For a man who had committed his life and heart to missionary service, this was a crushing revelation. Yet rather than despair, Jones chose to express quiet surrender to God’s will. He confided to McKinney, “I don’t know what God has in store for me now, but wherever He leads, I’ll go.”

Those words – spoken out of faith in the midst of disappointment – left a profound impression on McKinney. He recognized in his friend’s response the essence of Christian discipleship: not clinging to one’s own plans but yielding completely to God’s direction.

Inspiration Becomes Song

That evening, McKinney returned to his hotel room moved by Jones’ words. With both text and melody flowing from his heart, he composed the hymn “Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go.” Unlike many hymns where text and tune are developed separately or over time, this song came together in a single burst of inspiration.

The refrain echoed Jones’ declaration:

“Wherever He leads, I’ll go;
Wherever He leads, I’ll go.
I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so,
Wherever He leads, I’ll go.”

By capturing the spirit of his friend’s faith, McKinney created a hymn that went beyond one man’s experience to voice a universal truth for all believers: the call to follow Christ in complete trust, no matter the path.

A Hymn of Surrender

At its heart, the hymn reflects the biblical call of Jesus in Luke 9:23: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Its verses emphasize surrender, sacrifice, and the willingness to take up the cross as Christ Himself did.

The hymn was first published in 1937 in Songs of Victory, a hymnal compiled by McKinney. From there, it quickly spread throughout Southern Baptist congregations and beyond. Its message was especially embraced in missionary contexts, commissioning services, and revival meetings, where the theme of total obedience to God’s call was most relevant.

The Legacy of a Conversation

The origins of “Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go” remind us that hymns often grow out of real-life encounters with God. In this case, the simple testimony of a missionary facing an uncertain future became the seed for a hymn that would inspire countless others to trust God’s leading.

Though R. S. Jones may not have returned to the mission field, his faith was multiplied through McKinney’s song. Every time the hymn has been sung in a church service or at a missionary commissioning, his words have lived on.

Conclusion

The story of “Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go” is more than just the tale of a hymn – it is a testimony of faith in the face of disappointment and of obedience in the midst of uncertainty. B. B. McKinney gave the church a song that still challenges believers today to surrender their lives fully to Christ’s direction.

Its origins in the friendship between a hymn writer and a missionary remind us that God often works through ordinary conversations to inspire extraordinary expressions of devotion. The hymn continues to echo across the decades with its timeless call: to follow Christ without hesitation, wherever He may lead.