Kirk Franklin. Photo By CL Holly – Wikimedia Commons

25 Most Famous Christian Singers of All Time 


 

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The devil doesn’t stay where there is music.” This great Baptist Minister also said, “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.”

Music is good for the soul, it can calm a troubled soul. Christian music goes above and beyond this for believers because it is not only a source of comfort, but also a way of expressing their faith, bringing them to a point of repentance and connecting with God.

Christian singers are gifted with the musical talent to compose songs that align with God’s word, which has the power to lift spirits, soothe troubled hearts, and unite people in worship and praise. Their songs spread a message of hope, faith, and love. Check out these 30 facts about Christianity.

Here are the 25 most famous Christian singers of all time.

1. Michael W. Smith

Video courtesy of Youtube

Michael Whitaker Smith is an American contemporary Christian Music singer who has released over 20 albums so far. Smith was born on 7th October 1957 in Kenova, West Virginia, in a Christian family and he started singing in church.

He has won so many awards over the years and has even written over 15 books. Smith has struggled with substance abuse but his parents loved him back to the straight path and that is exactly what Christianity is about. Do not judge and condemn others but instead, show them love and pray for them.

Some of his popular songs include Let it Rain, New Hallelujah, Above All, Open The Eyes Of My Heart, and Here I Am To Worship.

2. Kirk Franklin  

Kirk Dewayne Franklin is an American Christian musician who was born on 26th January 1970 in Fort Worth, Texas. He sings contemporary gospel music and plays the piano. Some of his popular songs include I smile, Imagine Me, and Looking For You. 

Franklin has received many awards over the years, and he was among the first inductees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. Kirk, who also leads choirs, is a piece of art and does his best to bring it out in his work. There is an audio recording of the singer using profanities, but don’t we all sin and fall short of God’s glory?

Check out this list of Singers from Texas.

3. Cece Winans 

Video courtesy of Youtube

Priscilla Marie Winans Love, professionally known as Cece Winans, is an American Christian singer, who was born on 8th October 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. Her grandmother nicknamed her CeCe given the name Cece by her grandmother, more of nicknamed her.  

She started as part of a duo with her elder brother BeBe Winans who is an awesome artist too. CeCe has released over 10 albums so far. ‘Goodness of God’, ‘I’ll Live for You’, ‘Heavenly Father’, and ‘Believe For it’ are some of her songs.

She has won many awards over the years and even has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Apart from singing, CeCe is an author and she has written three books.

4. Marvin Sapp  

Marvin Sapp is an African-American Christian singer who was born on 28th January 1967 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He started as a member of a musical group called Commissioned before going solo, and he has won awards for his music.

During his music career, Marvin has released eleven albums that have a great artistic touch. Never Would Have Made It, He Has His Hands On You, and Worshipper in Me are some of his songs.

Marvin lost his wife to colon cancer in 2010, but he did not give up his faith. He is a pastor plus a radio show host, and he has always been consistent in his gospel music career.

5. Amy Grant

Amy Grant. Photo By Scott Catron – Wikimedia

Amy Lee Grant is an American award-winning Christian singer who was born on 25th November 1960 in Augusta, Georgia, before her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she grew up being the youngest of her four sisters.

Amy started singing in church when she was young and got her first recording contract when she was 15 years. She’s had a successful career and has more than 15 albums so far. 

This Is My Father’s World, Turn This World Around, Better Than a Hallelujah, and Deep As It Is Wide, are some of her songs.

Here’s an article on famous people who live in Nashville.

6. Britt Nicole 

Brittany Nicole Waddell is an American Christian musician who was born on 2nd August 1984 in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Britt began singing when she was 3 and music was her comfort when her parents divorced when she was 7 years old. She was a vocalist for the school choir.

Britt sings Christian hip-hop, pop, plus RnB, and she has about 5 studio albums. This singer loves dancing and even took lessons when she was younger. Believe, Don’t Worry Now, and The Sun Is Rising are some of her songs.

7. Chris Tomlin 

Chris Tomlin. Photo By DeaPeaJay – Wikimedia

Christopher Dwayne Tomlin is an American Christian singer and worship leader, who was born on 4th May 1972 in Grand Saline, Texas. He plays the guitar and he wrote his first song when he was a teenager.

Chris sings inspiring contemporary Christian music, has over 10 studio albums, and has won so many awards over the years. How Great Is Our God, Forever, Holy Is the Lord, We Fall Down, and The Noise We Make are some of his songs. 

This singer is a philanthropist and gives back to the less fortunate. He is a member of the board of directors of CURE International, a nonprofit organization that provides medical care to children in developing countries like Kenya.

8. Jeremy Camp  

Jeremy Thomas Camp is an American Christian singer who was born on 12th January 1978 in Lafayette, Indiana. His father was a pastor and he taught Jeremy how to play the guitar. Jeremy is also an ordained minister and has a degree in theology.

Jeremy was a widower at only 23 years. His first wife, Melissa Lynn Henning-Camp, died of cancer four months after their October 2000 wedding. She was 21 years old. The film, ‘I Still Believe’, which was released in 2020, is based on their true story.

Jeremy remarried in 2003. His wife, Adrienne Camp, is a gospel musician too. 

9. Adrienne Liesching Camp 

Video courtesy of YouTube 

Adrienn “Adie” Liesching Camp is a South African Christian singer who was born on 12th July 1981 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She is the wife of Jeremy Camp, the gospel singer, and she sings background vocals for some of his songs.

Adie has a unique voice and she was the lead vocalist for the Benjamin Gate band, a South African Christian rock band that had released 5 albums before it was disbanded. She has two solo albums and Your Way, Broken, and All I Need Is You are some of her songs.

10. Mathew West 

Mathew Joseph West is an American Christian singer who was born on 25th April 1977 in Downers Grove, Illinois, United States. West was not very keen on being a musician and wanted to play baseball instead but God had other plans. He received a four-year music scholarship at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, where he joined a Christian Fellowship. 

Mathew sings inspirational music and also acts in Christian television shows. Over the years he has won several awards and has over 10 albums. Grace Wins, ‘Oh, Me of Little Faith’, and The Healing Has Begun are some of his songs.

11. Mahalia Jackson  

Mahalia Jackson was an American gospel singer whose name is a modification of Mahalath, the granddaughter of King David in the bible. She was born on 26th October 1911 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was very talented and started singing in church when she was only 4 years old. 

During her career, Mahalia released about 30 albums and sold over 20 million record copies. The singer died on 27th January 1972 in Evergreen Park, Illinois, after she had surgery to remove a bowel obstruction. She did not recover and rested at the age of 60.

12. Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Photo By robbiesaurus – Wikimedia Commons

Natasha Tameika Cobbs Leonard is an American Christian singer who was born on 7th July 1981 in Jesup, Georgia. Tasha is a talented singer that has sung the songs; This Is a Move, Put a Praise on It, and Fill Me Up among others.

She has released 7 albums and many non-album singles. Tasha has also won many awards over the years.  She is passionate about music and worship and gives it her all.

13. Taya Smith

Taya Smith is an Australian Christian singer who became famous as a member of the worship band Hillsong United. She was a background vocalist before she became their lead singer. Taya was born on 10th May 1989 in New South Wales, Australia.

Taya left the band and went solo. The One I Love and Forever Love are some of her songs. She shares her testimony every now and then to just minister and strengthen people’s faith. She is vocal about mental health issues, having suffered depression at some point.  

14. Mercy Masika Muguro

Mercy Masika Muguro. Photo By Magtechi – Wikimedia Commons

Mercy Masika is a Kenyan Christian Singer who was born on 26th April 1983 in Machakos, Kenya. She is best known for her Swahili worship songs “Mwema” and “Nikupendeze.”

Mercy’s songs are popular in Kenya and beyond. She has released four albums and many successful singles. She has won many awards including the MTV Africa Music Awards and the African Gospel Music Awards.

15. Jaci Velasquez  

Jacquelyn Davette Velasquez is an American Christian singer and actress with Mexican roots. She was born on 15th October 1979 in Houston, Texas and she has released about 17 albums some of which have been certified as Gold, plus numerous hit singles. 

As an actor, Jaci appeared in ‘Chasing Papi’ in 2003 and “Shine: Make Them Wonder What You’ve Got,” a film that shares her personal experiences and faith-based advice for young women.  Jaci has received multiple awards over the years and she also does charity work.

16. Phil Keaggy 

Phil Keaggy. Photo By Curt Cosenza – Wikimedia

Philip Tyler Keaggy is an American Christian musician who is a gifted vocalist and guitarist specializing in acoustic and electrical guitars. He was born on 23rd March 1951 in Hubbard, Youngstown, Ohio. He was a member of the Glass Harp band from 1970 to 1972.

Phil has released close to 70 albums over the years. The laid-back singer is among the world’s best guitarists and has won many awards over the years.  

17. Sara Groves  

Sara Lee Colbaugh, professionally known as Sara Groves, is an American Christian singer who was born on 10th September 1972 in Vineland, New Jersey but she grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota. Talented from a young age, Sara started writing songs when she was only four years.

Over the years, this musician has released 16 amazing albums and has won many awards over the years. She is involved as an artist advocate working with International Justice Mission, a global organization that works to protect the poor from violence.

18. Josh Wilson  

Joshua David Wilson is an American Christian singer who is known for singing humorous Christian lyrics. He was born on 14th November 1983 in El Dorado, Arkansas but grew up in Lubbock, Texas.

He developed an interest in music when he was young and decided to serve God with the gift that he had bestowed upon him. This talented singer has won many awards over the years and has released about 7 albums and numerous singles.

Josh is an advocate for mental health awareness, having struggled with anxiety and panic attacks but faith in God helped him cope.

19. Sinach

Video courtesy of YouTube

Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, professionally known as Sinach, is a Nigerian Christian singer and worship leader whose uplifting and inspiring music blends African rhythms and melodies into Christian worship.

This singer was born on 30th March 1972 in Ebonyi State, Eastern Nigeria. She started singing for family and friends as a hobby, before joining the choir.

Sinach, who is humble and dedicated to her faith, has won many awards over the years and has many albums and hit singles.

20. Mandisa  

Mandisa Lynn Hundley is an American gospel and contemporary Christian recording artist. She was born on 2nd October 1976 in Citrus Heights, California. She is an amazing artist with powerful and astounding vocals. She has co-written songs with some of the great artists like Mathew West. 

Mandisa is also a motivational speaker and author. She is keen on mental health awareness and shares her story of overcoming depression and her faith journey with audiences.

21. Travis Greene

Travis Greene. Photo By CoyPlus – Wikimedia

Travis Montorius Greene is an American Christian singer, worship leader and pastor from Georgia, United States. He was born on 17th January 1984 in the state of Delaware. He is known for his powerful vocals and unique fusion of gospel, R&B, and contemporary Christian music.

Some of his most popular songs include “Intentional,” “Made a Way,” “You Waited,” and “Good and Loved.” He has won many awards over the years and has helped in spreading the good news of salvation.

22. Rebecca St James 

Rebecca Jean Fink is an Australian Christian singer who was born on 26th July 1977 in Sydney, Australia. Known for her powerful vocals, thoughtful lyrics, and her ability to connect with fans, Rebecca has released 10 albums so far with songs about her faith, family, and personal struggles.

This great singer also acts and has appeared in 8 films. She is also a bestselling author and has published, more than 10 books. She has won awards too.

23. Shawn Mcdonald 

Video courtesy of YouTube

Shawn Michael Mcdonald is an American Christian singer who was born on 4th September 1977 in Eugene, Oregon. He was raised by his grandparents and he was rebellious plus started doing drugs and alcohol. He changed his ways when his grandma gave him a bible, upon reading it, he made a decision to be the best version of himself. 

Shawn has released 7 albums so far. He also travels to spread the gospel. He has been to Israel and Zimbabwe.

24. Nichole Nordeman 

Nichole Ellyse Nordeman is an American Christian singer who was born on 3rd January 1972 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is one of the leading voices in gospel music and often sings about the struggles and joys of everyday life.

Like many Christian singers, her music inspires and spreads the message of God’s love around the world. Nichole’s great music has won her several awards. She has released 6 albums so far. This singer also writes books, and leads worship in church. 

25. Lauren Daigle

Lauren Daigle. Photo By Moisés Gutierrez – Wikimedia

Lauren Ashley Daigle is an American contemporary Christian singer who was born on 9th September 1991 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She has a soulful voice and she was always singing when she was young, her mum nicknamed her ‘the music box’.

This singer has 4 albums and she has received various awards and nominations over the years including a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2019.


The people on this list have united Christians from all over the world in worship and advanced the gospel by spreading the good news of salvation far and wide. Christian music does remind believers about the goodness of God. 
 
Read about how Christianity was spread all over the world here.
 

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