One afternoon he was seated in the home of Evangelist George Sebring in East Palestine, Ohio. "At last the pivotal hour of my life came," he later wrote, "and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered deep down in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing." [Found on www.wnd.com] by Hans Zigler
    It was then that I wrote I Surrender All in memory of the time when, after that long struggle, I had surrendered and dedicated my life to active Christian service for the Lord.” Hymn story behind “I Surrender All." [Found on www.songtime.com by Bill Dagle].
    Judson Van Deventer traveled the world preaching Christ. In his later years he taught at Florida Bible Institute and influenced a young man who also became an evangelist. His name was Billy Graham. Here is how Mr. Graham remembered him. "One of the evangelists who influenced my early preaching was also a hymnist who wrote "I Surrender All---the Rev. J. W. Van de Venter. He was a regular visitor at the Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity Bible College) in the late 1930's. We students loved this kind, deeply spiritual gentleman and often gathered in his winter home at Tampa, Florida, for an evening of fellowship and singing.”  [Found on www.wnd.com] by Hans Zigler and www.sermonindex.net]