The world of gospel music is mourning the loss of Ron Kenoly, the famous gospel singer and worship leader whose songs inspired millions of people around the world. Kenoly, known for hits like Ancient of Days, Let There Be Praise, and Lift Him Up, passed away on February 3 at the age of 81. His longtime music director, Bruno Miranda, shared the news on Instagram but did not reveal the cause of death.
Kenoly’s life was a remarkable journey. He was born on December 6, 1944, in Coffeyville, Kansas, into a family full of singers. “All my brothers are singers, my mother was a singer, my father was a singer,” he once said. From a young age, Kenoly loved music. When he was eight, he was inspired by watching Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr. perform on television, and he decided then that he wanted to be a singer too.
After high school, Kenoly moved to Hollywood, California, and joined the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1968. While in the military, he performed with a cover band called the Mellow Fellows, entertaining troops at military bases. After leaving the Air Force, he spent about ten years singing secular music in nightclubs and recording R&B songs. He worked with A&M Records under the name Ron Keith and even opened for famous artists like The Temptations, Etta James, and Ike & Tina Turner.
In 1975, Kenoly decided to dedicate his life to Christ. He stopped performing secular music and began writing and singing worship songs. His mother was very happy, and she encouraged him to follow his faith. He began ministering in prisons after visiting his brother, who was incarcerated. When he sang in a prison chapel, he saw hardened prisoners moved to tears and prayer. This experience showed him the power of worship and inspired him to continue ministering to people in need. Over the next several years, he sang in prisons, halfway houses, and churches along the U.S. West Coast.
Kenoly’s ministry grew when he joined Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose, California, in 1985 as worship leader. Two years later, he became the church’s music pastor. He earned ordination in 1987 and focused on teaching others about worship. By 1993, he was named the church’s Ambassador of Music and began helping churches across the country build strong worship programs.
His music reached a global audience after signing with Integrity Music in 1980. The 1992 album Lift Him Up became a worldwide hit, and another album, Welcome Home, won the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for Praise and Worship Album of the Year in 1997. Kenoly wrote over 1,500 songs in his career, many of which became staples in churches worldwide.
Kenoly also had a deep love for Africa, especially Nigeria, where his music became extremely popular. He admired the way Africans embraced worship and was inspired by their energy and passion. “Africans have a passion for praise and worship, which I haven’t seen in many other parts of the world,” he said. His concerts in Africa often drew thousands of people, and his recordings were widely shared.
Kenoly valued education and earned multiple degrees, including a music degree, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctorate of Ministry in sacred music. He also mentored many worship leaders and helped churches develop their music ministries.
Ron Kenoly’s life and music leave a lasting legacy. He turned his faith into songs that inspired people all over the world, giving hope, joy, and strength to countless worshippers. He showed how music can unite people and bring them closer to God. He is survived by his wife Tavita and their three sons.
