User:KMiller30
Kim Walker-Smith | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Redding, California |
| Genres | Christian Worship |
| Instrument(s) | Singing, Vocals |
| Labels | Jesus Culture |
| Website | www.onlyloveremains.com |
Kim Walker Smith, born in Albany, Oregon is a Christian singer, songwriter, worship leader, and recording artist. She has been married to Skyler Walker since 2009, and they currently reside in Redding, CA [1]. She produced her first solo album Here Is My Song in 2008 through the Jesus Culture record label [2]. According to her official website, Walker-Smith is currently a part of several different ministries, but is widely known as a worship leader for Jesus Culture and as a worship pastor for Bethel Church [3].
Life Background[edit]
Walker-Smith grew up in Klamath Falls, a small farm town in Oregon. When she was four years old, her parents divorced. Her mother remarried several times and moved around every year, which created instability and insecurities in Walker-Smith’s life. When she was 13 years old, Walker- Smith’s mother married a Christian man who brought them into the church. When she was 18 years old, she gave her life over to Jesus Christ. After graduating from high school she moved to Redding, California, to attend Simpson University. While she was at the university, she found herself struggling with school, work, and finding a sense of belonging. During that time, she came across Bethel Church’s 24 hour prayer room and started to get connected with the church. After finishing her year at the university, she decided to enroll in the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministries[1] .
Music Background[edit]
Walker-Smith started her music career at the age of three when her mother first put her on stage, and as a result she was very involved in musical theater as a child. After her two years at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministries, Bethel’s lead Pastor, Bill Johnson hired her on as a worship pastor alongside his son, Brian Johnson [1] . In 2005 she won 25,000 dollars with her powerful vocals in a contest called “So You Want to Be a Star”; a local “American Idol” competition [2] . She has produced one solo album along with eight other albums corporately produced. Kim’s remake of John Mark McMillan song, “How He Loves Us,” has over 12 million views on YouTube.
Influences[edit]
Walker contributes her music influences to Suzy Yaraei of Moing Start Ministries, Misty Edwards of Kansas City’s International House of Prayer [2] , Hillsong of Australia, and Delirious [1] . Walker’s genre style is a very diverse mixture of R&B, jazz, soul, and freestyle. She is also known as one of the first “prophetic worship” leaders, a style that is more spontaneous and thought to be more Holy Spirit driven than most contemporary Christian music. This new style of worship has grown popular across the Christian worship world in the last few years[2] .
Ministry work[edit]
Walker-Smith has been a part of Jesus Culture (first started as Bethel Church’s youth conference) since 2006. Her husband Skyler and she have recently started a ministry called “Only Love Remains” in reference to an excerpt from 1 Corinthians 13: “And the greatest of these are love” ( New International Version Bible). Along with Danny and Sheri Silk, they are also a part of ministry for families and communities across the world for the purposes of education called “Loving on Purpose” [3] . The Smith’s travel around the country and world on a constant basis with these different ministries, and 40% of this travel is mainly related to Jesus Culture revivals [1] .
Discography[edit]
- 2011 Awakening (w/ Chris Quilala and Jesus Culture)
- 2010 Come Away (w/ Chris Quilala and Jesus Culture)
- 2010 My Passion EP (w/ Chris Quilala and Jesus Culture)
- 2009 Here is Love (w/ Bethel Church feat. Chris Quilala & Kristene Mueller)
- 2009 Consumed (With Chris Quilala and Melissa How)
- 2008 Your Love Never Fails (With Chris Quilala and Melissa How)
- 2008 Here Is My Song
- 2008 We Cry Out (With Chris Quilala and Melissa How)
- 2006 Everything (With Chris Quilala and Melissa How)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Cummings, Tony. "Jesus Culture: Kim Walker speaks about the powerful worship ministry from California". Cite error: The named reference "Cross Rythm" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c d Goldman, Kyra. "Redding's kim Walker releases solo album". Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group. Cite error: The named reference "redding" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b Smith, Sklyer and Kim. "About Us". Only Love Remains.
Category:People from Albany, Oregon
Category:Living people
Category:American performers of Christian music