The international Christian community has entered a period of mourning following the announcement that Dr Ron Kenoly, the pioneering American gospel singer, worship leader, and pastor, has passed away at the age of eighty-one.
The news was initially disclosed by his long-standing music director via social media, inciting a global outpouring of tributes for a man whose ministry reshaped the landscape of contemporary congregational worship.
Among the high-profile figures paying homage was the distinguished Nigerian evangelist, Bishop Francis Wale Oke. In a poignant statement shared on his official Facebook page, Bishop Oke described the late minister as a “true worshipper” and a “vessel of grace.”
“Ron Kenoly walked in profound spiritual depth, filled with the Holy Spirit, sound in the Scriptures, and deeply moving in both word and song,” Bishop Oke wrote. “He carried the presence of God wherever he ministered, lifting hearts and nations into the atmosphere of worship and reverence. It was our privilege to host him on multiple occasions in Nigeria and internationally.”
Dr Kenoly’s influence on global Christianity is difficult to overstate. A powerhouse of contemporary praise, he is perhaps best remembered for his seminal 1992 album, Lift Him Up. The recording remains a landmark in the genre, credited with popularising the vibrant, participatory “Praise and Worship” style that became a hallmark of the late twentieth-century church.
Anthems such as Ancient of Days and Jesus Is Alive transcended borders, becoming staples in liturgies across Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Throughout a distinguished career spanning several decades, Kenoly released a succession of acclaimed albums, including God Is Able, Welcome Home, and Sing Out with One Voice. His musical signature, a sophisticated blend of gospel, contemporary Christian music, and traditional praise choruses, was often characterised by the use of expansive choirs and energetic congregational responses.
While his musical reach was global, Kenoly remained rooted in pastoral ministry. For many years, he served as a pastor and worship leader at the Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose, California. He was also a highly esteemed speaker and facilitator, frequently invited to international conferences and crusades. He maintained a particularly deep affinity for Africa, where his music and ministry found an enduring resonance.
Reflecting on his passing, Bishop Oke offered words of solace to the Kenoly family: “Though our hearts are heavy, we submit to the perfect will of God, taking comfort in the blessed assurance that a life spent in faithful devotion is never in vain. We commiserate with his beloved family, his wife, children, and grandchildren, and pray that the Holy Spirit will comfort, strengthen, and abide with them at this critical time.”
The Bishop concluded his tribute with a citation from the Book of Revelation: “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord… that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”
Dr Ron Kenoly leaves behind a vast musical and spiritual heritage that will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations of worshippers for years to come.
