5 Christian reactions to murder of celebrated singer Jubilant Sykes

1. Keith and Kristyn Getty, hymn writers

Preeminent modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty said they were brokenhearted by the news of Sykes’ passing and remembered him as a “brilliant and beautiful human being.”

“Jubilant was just a brilliant and beautiful human being. A man who made extraordinary moments out of the ordinary. Award-winning bass in Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Mass,’ and a featured soloist everywhere from the Metropolitan Opera to the Boston Pops, he had an incredible career and a unique Christian voice,” they wrote in a statement shared on social media.

“We had the joy of collaborating with him on several occasions; first, when he and Christopher Parkening joined the band for our Kennedy Center Christmas Show in 2019, where Vice President Pence honored Joni Tada with the Sing! Lifetime Achievement Award. In the years to follow, he created many unique memories for us at both an artistic and personal level,” the couple recalled.

The Gettys remembered Sykes for his ability to find “wonder and extraordinary in the ordinary” and navigating sensitive issues such as race, politics and theology.

“The gift of being such a singular voice rarely comes with the disposition of being genuinely thrilled for others and their success, but he always was,” they said.

Shortly after reuniting with the couple at the late Pastor John MacArthur’s memorial service in August, the Gettys said Sykes joined them for the launch of "The Sing! Hymnal" at The Grand Ole Opry House.

They shared his performance of a combination of the spiritual hymns “Give me Jesus” and “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” which has been reported to be his last public performance.

“His final creative chapter was lending his voice to a new Scripture-and-orchestra project for Crossway, a work meant to help a new generation hear God’s Word beautifully. We had dreams of performing it together over the next few years, which will not happen, but by the grace of God, most of it is recorded, and his passionate, luminous readings will carry his legacy forward,” they said. “Our prayer is that many will see, and fear, and put their trust in God as a result. And for Jubilant, it’s hard to imagine a more extraordinary Nunc Dimittis.”