Set My Soul Afire

Gene Bartlett (1918–1988) was a prominent figure in 20th-century Southern Gospel and Baptist church music, continuing a prestigious family legacy. Born on May 4, 1918, in Greenwood, Arkansas, he was the son of Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sr., the famed composer of "Victory in Jesus." Growing up in a household steeped in musical ministry, Gene pursued formal training at John Brown University and Oklahoma Baptist University, eventually receiving an honorary Doctor of Music for his extensive contributions to the field.

Bartlett’s professional career was primarily rooted in the Baptist tradition, where he served as a minister of music for several congregations across Arkansas and Oklahoma. His most notable pastoral tenure was at Trinity Baptist Church in Oklahoma City from 1947 to 1954. His leadership skills led to his appointment as the Director of Church Music for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma in 1954, a position he used to influence and elevate the standards of congregational singing and choral performance throughout the region.

As a composer and songwriter, Bartlett was known for his ability to blend traditional gospel fervor with a polished musicality. He wrote and published numerous songs that became favorites in Southern Gospel circles, characterized by their uplifting melodies and accessible theological themes. His impact on the genre was so significant that he was posthumously inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2000, honoring his role in shaping the sound of mid-century evangelical worship.

Gene Bartlett passed away on July 10, 1988, in Oklahoma City, leaving behind a legacy of musical excellence and denominational service. He is remembered not only for his own compositions but for his work as a musical educator and administrator who helped modernize church music departments while maintaining the heart of the gospel tradition.