sentences:  A member of the Church of Christ, Thompson is best known as the writer and composer of hymns and gospel songs, to which he increasingly devoted his talents after his teenage years.His most well known work is the classic and enduring gospel song "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling" which has been translated into countless languages.It has been featured in the films "The Trip to Bountiful", "Junebug", and "A Prairie Home Companion" (sung by Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin), in the Anne Tyler novel "The Accidental Tourist", and the television series "True Blood".