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Famous Worship Leaders and Their Impact on Church Music
Meet the worship leaders shaping modern church music. From Hillsong to Bethel to Elevation, the voices behind the songs.
Modern worship music is shaped by a generation of talented artists who serve as both musicians and ministers. These worship leaders write songs in the context of local church communities and then share them with the global church.
Understanding who these leaders are and what drives them helps us appreciate the songs we sing and the movement they represent.
Based at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia, Hillsong Worship has produced more globally sung worship songs than perhaps any other group. Key contributors include Brooke Ligertwood ("What A Beautiful Name"), Joel Houston ("Oceans"), and Reuben Morgan ("Mighty to Save").
Hillsong’s approach emphasizes songs that are congregationally singable while maintaining high production quality. Their annual conferences and albums have made them the most influential worship music brand in the world.
Emerging from Bethel Church in Redding, California, Bethel Music has become a major force in worship. Key artists include Jenn Johnson ("Goodness of God"), Brian Johnson ("One Thing Remains"), and Jonathan David Heder.
Bethel’s worship style tends toward the intimate and atmospheric, with songs that create space for personal encounter with God.
Led by Steven Furtick’s Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, Elevation Worship has rapidly become one of the most influential worship groups. Chris Brown, Brandon Lake, and Tiffany Hudson are among their key voices.
Songs like "Graves into Gardens," "RATTLE!," and "Same God" combine bold declarations with singable melodies. Their collaboration with Maverick City Music has been particularly impactful.
Often called "the most sung artist in the world," Chris Tomlin has been a defining voice in worship music for over two decades. His songs include "How Great Is Our God," "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)," and "Good Good Father."
Tomlin’s gift is writing songs that are immediately accessible to congregations of every size and style. His music bridges traditional and contemporary worship.
- Worship Songs — Songs by these artists and more
- Top Worship Songs — Most popular worship songs
- Classic Hymn Writers — The original worship leaders
- Music History — How we got here
- Create Worship — Generate a worship song with AI