Question: When was i can only imagine first sang?

Disambiguated questions and answers:
context: Originally, "I Can Only Imagine" was set to be released by fellow Christian artist Amy Grant. Millard had initially declined a request from Grant's record label to allow her to record the song; some segments of the Christian community had reacted negatively to her divorce, and Millard wasn't sure if he wanted to be involved. After consulting with his pastor, who felt Millard should accept the opportunity, Millard began to reconsider, and finally agreed to let her cover it after talking with Grant over the phone. Grant had planned to release her version of the song as the first single from her upcoming album and MercyMe would release a different song as their first single, hoping to capitalize on having written what would presumably become a major hit for Grant. The band released their first single from the album, "Bless Me Indeed (Jabez's Song)", which performed poorly at Christian radio, leading to poor sales of "Almost There". Plans were made to release a second single from the record, but the band's manager, Scott Brickell, decided to reach out to Grant to see if she still planned to release her version as a single. Grant gave MercyMe her blessing to release the song as their second single and signed the rights back to the band; "I Can Only Imagine" was released on October 12, 2001 as the album's second single.
question: When was the Christian Rock song i can only imagine first released?
short_answers: October 12, 2001
wikipage: I Can Only Imagine (MercyMe song)
context: No context provided
question: When was David Guetta's i can only imagine first performed?
short_answers: February 12, 2012
context: No context provided
question: When was David Guetta's i can only imagine first released as a single?
short_answers: April 23, 2012
context: The song debuted on the Christian AC chart on November 2, 2001, reached the No. 1 position on February 22, 2002, and spent two weeks at the top spot. It also peaked at No. 15 on the "Radio & Records" Christian CHR chart. The song became the most-played song on Christian in 2002. As a result of its success on radio, "Almost There" experienced a "surge" in sales, debuting on the "Billboard" 200 in December 2001 and entering the top ten on the Christian Albums chart in January 2002. The song stayed on Christian radio for so long that plans to release a third single from "Almost There" were cancelled, with the band instead beginning work on a new album.
question: When was the Christian Rock song i can only imagine first debuted on the Christian AC Chart?
short_answers: November 2, 2001
wikipage: I Can Only Imagine (MercyMe song)

Long-form answers:
knowledge: content: "I Can Only Imagine" is a song performed by French DJ David Guetta, featuring vocals from American singer Chris Brown and rapper Lil Wayne, from Guetta's fifth studio album Nothing but the Beat. 
wikipage: I Can Only Imagine (David Guetta song)
content: It was released as the sixth single from the album on April 23, 2012.
wikipage: I Can Only Imagine (David Guetta song)
content: Prior to its official release, the song charted in the lower regions of the charts in Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Guetta, Brown and Wayne performed the song live for the first time at the 54th Grammy Awards on February 12, 2012.
wikipage: I Can Only Imagine (David Guetta song)
long_answer: Multiple songs are titled, "I Can Only Image." Two specific ones are the Christian Rock version by MercyMe that was released on October 12, 2001. It later debuted on the Christian AC chart on November 2, 2001. It reached the No. 1 position on February 22, 2002. French DJ, David Guetta, released his song, "I Can Only Image" as a single on April 23, 2012. Before the song was released on the album, Guetta actually performed it at the 54th Grammy Awards on February 12, 2012. 
knowledge: content: "I Can Only Imagine" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe.
wikipage: I Can Only Imagine (MercyMe song)
content: "I Can Only Imagine" is a song performed by French DJ David Guetta, featuring vocals from American singer Chris Brown and rapper Lil Wayne, from Guetta's fifth studio album Nothing but the Beat.
wikipage: I Can Only Imagine (David Guetta song)
content: Guetta, Brown and Wayne performed the song live for the first time at the 54th Grammy Awards on February 12, 2012.
wikipage: I Can Only Imagine (David Guetta song)
long_answer: There are several "I Can Only Imagine" songs. One version of "I Can Only Imagine" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe, that was first released on October 12, 2001. The song debuted on the Christian AC chart on November 2, 2001, reached the No. 1 position on February 22, 2002, and spent two weeks at the top spot. Another "I Can Only Imagine" song is performed by French DJ David Guetta, featuring vocals from American singer Chris Brown and rapper Lil Wayne, which was performed live for the first time at the 54th Grammy Awards on February 12, 2012 and released as a single on April 23, 2012.