Renowned American gospel singer, worship leader, and songwriter Dr Ron Kenoly has passed away at the age of 81.

The news was confirmed by his music director, Bruno Miranda, in a statement shared on Kenoly’s official Instagram page.

Kenoly was celebrated worldwide for timeless worship anthems such as Majesty, Righteousness, Peace & Joy, Anointing, All Honour, Sing Out, Lift Him Up, and Jesus Is Alive. His music played a major role in shaping modern congregational worship, especially across Africa and other parts of the global church.

Born on December 6, 1944, in Coffeyville, Kansas, Kenoly gained international prominence in the 1980s and 1990s through large-scale live worship recordings that transformed contemporary Christian music. He began his music ministry after serving in the United States Air Force.

His 1992 album Lift Him Up marked a major breakthrough, becoming the fastest-selling worship album of its time. Another acclaimed project, Welcome Home, produced by Tom Brooks, topped Billboard’s Contemporary Christian Music charts and further cemented his legacy.

Following news of his death, tributes have poured in from gospel musicians, pastors, and worshippers around the world, many crediting Ron Kenoly’s ministry with shaping their faith and transforming their approach to worship.