NEW YORK, United States – Ron Kenoly, a prominent American gospel singer and worship leader whose music influenced churches around the world, has died at the age of 81, according to a statement from his longtime music director.
His death was confirmed on Instagram by Bruno Miranda, who announced that Kenoly passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. No cause of death was disclosed.
“This morning, February 3, 2026, we said goodbye to Dr. Ron Kenoly,” Miranda wrote on the singer’s official account.
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In a message shared two days earlier, on Sunday, February 1, Kenoly reflected on his decades in ministry and expressed gratitude to those who had supported him. “I am 81 and in my 48th year of ministry. These are some of those who helped me reach over 123 nations around the world in the past 20 years…” he wrote.
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Tributes from church leaders and gospel musicians began appearing online shortly after the announcement. In a longer statement, Miranda described his relationship with Kenoly and the singer’s approach to ministry.
“For over 20 years, I had the honour of walking alongside him in ministry around the world, not just as his music director, but as a son, a student, and a witness to a life marked by faithfulness,” he said.
Miranda added that Kenoly consistently resisted being seen as a performer. “He was never an artist, never an entertainer. He was a worship leader,” he wrote. “A worship leader’s calling is not to perform songs, but to lead people into true worship in the presence of a King, the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.”
He concluded: “Today we grieve deeply, but not without hope. The worship he lived is now the worship he beholds.”
Nigerian Bishop Wale Oke also paid tribute, describing Kenoly as “a man of humility, a vessel of grace, and a true worshipper who gave his life to the glory of God.” He added: “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.”
Africa’s top worship leader, Nathaniel Bassey wrote a glowing tribute to Kenoly on Instagram saying, “Dr RON KENOLY, Crosses to yonder side. Thank you for inspiring generations of psalmists like me. I grew up on these songs. And today, others are growing up on ours. Thank you, Sir.”
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Other gospel ministers, Dunsin Oyekan, also shared messages in his memory.
Kenoly was widely known for worship songs such as “Jesus Is Alive,” “Sing Out,” “My God Is Able,” “Ancient of Days,” and “Anointing Fall On Me.” His live album Lift Him Up, released in 1992 under Integrity Hosanna Music, sold more than 500,000 copies and was certified Gold. It became one of the most widely distributed worship recordings of its time.
Another album, Welcome Home, later received industry recognition, including a Dove Award for praise and worship album in 1997.
Born on December 6, 1944, in Coffeyville, Kansas, Kenoly began singing in a Baptist church in his hometown. After completing high school, he joined the United States military and served in the Air Force from 1965 to 1968.
Following his service, he pursued music professionally, performing secular material and recording under the stage name Ron Keith. He later joined a duo with Candy Rae before stepping away from commercial recording to focus on Christian ministry.
He entered full-time worship ministry in 1985 after joining Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose, California, where he became worship leader and later music pastor. Ordained in 1987, he placed increasing emphasis on teaching and mentoring in church music.
In a 2006 interview, he described his approach to worship and teaching. “There needs to be a balance between worship and the Word. If you get all worship and no Word, you have fanaticism. If you have all Word and no worship, you have legalism,” he said. “And you need that balance.”
Kenoly later earned several academic qualifications, including a music degree from Alameda College, a Master of Divinity from Faith Bible College, and a Doctorate of Ministry in sacred music from Friends International Christian University.
In 1999, he relocated to Central Florida and continued travelling internationally as a teacher, speaker, and worship leader. He also ran a mentoring programme for pastors, musicians, choir directors, and worship leaders.
In a 2024 interview, Kenoly reflected on the early years of his ministry. “I was in obscurity for eight years, singing my songs. Wherever the door would open, I would go, and I would sing, making no money,” he said. “But that was the gift that was in me, and I was determined to use it.”
Pastor Tony Suarez, writing on social media after the news of his death, described Kenoly as “one of the greatest psalmists of our time,” recalling a post-pandemic revival meeting where he led worship.
“He was a generational gift,” Suarez wrote. “The anointing would fall on us as he led us to sing out a joyful song and build a palace of praise to the Ancient of Days.”
Kenoly is survived by his family. Funeral arrangements had not been announced at the time of publication.
