LA MIRADA, CALIF. — An ancient hymn will be sung for the first time in 1700 years on April 14, 2025 at Biola University. Talbot School of Theology and the Malcom Initiative at Biola will host the world premiere of the documentary, “First Hymn Project.” At the event, attendees will be led by Christian artists Ben Fielding and Taya Gaukrodger from Hillsong in singing the hymn in a corporate setting for the first time since its discovery. Following the film’s screening, a Q&A session will be held with John Dickson, host of the documentary, and Fielding, who also recorded the hymn in the studio alongside Christian artist Chris Tomlin, which will be released publicly just days before the event.

“After the Biola event, [the documentary team] are off to the Museum of the Bible to continue the tour, but we are excited to have them start here and for folks here to first learn and sing the hymn together — for the first time in 1700 years,” said Dr. Ed Stetzer, dean of the Talbot School of Theology.

The documentary, released by Undeceptions, follows historian and author Dickson as he walks through the history of “P.Oxy 1786,” a scrap of parchment discovered in the Egyptian City of Oxyrhynchus that contains the oldest Christian hymn ever found, which is believed to have been buried in Egypt since the mid 200s AD. Historians discovered that the ancient parchment not only contained lyrics to the hymn, but also musical notations that can be replicated today. Registration for the event can be found on Biola’s website.

MEDIA ADVISORY — FOR DAY-OF COVERAGE

What: The world premiere of the “First Hymn Project” documentary followed by the corporate singing of the unearthed ancient hymn for the very first time.

Who: Ed Stetzer, dean of the Talbot School of Theology at Biola; John Dickson, historian, author and host of the documentary; Ben Fielding, Christian music artist known for his work in Hillsong.

When: Monday, April 14, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Where: Biola University, Ethel Lee Auditorium. 13800 Biola Ave. La Mirada, CA 90639. Enter Lot A.

On-Site Media Contact: Sarah Dougher, sarah.m.dougher@biola.edu, (310) 753-1193