Kim Walker-Smith is a celebrated American singer, songwriter, and worship leader known for her powerful voice and passionate style of worship. She rose to prominence through Bethel Church’s Jesus Culture movement and has since become one of the most influential figures in contemporary Christian music. With chart-topping albums, viral performances, and a strong presence in worship culture, Kim’s story is one of faith, transformation, and spiritual leadership.

Early Life and Faith Journey

Born in Albany, Oregon, Kim Walker-Smith displayed musical talent from a young age, singing onstage by age three and performing in musical theater during her school years. Despite her early involvement in performance, it wasn’t until she was 18 years old that Kim had a life-changing encounter with God that shifted the trajectory of her life.

After high school, she moved to Redding, California to attend a Christian college. Struggling academically and emotionally, she found herself one night crying out to God. That divine desperation led her to a 24-hour prayer house recently established by Bethel Church. This moment marked the beginning of her spiritual awakening and deepened her relationship with God.

Captivated by the worship atmosphere at Bethel, she began attending their services regularly. Kim eventually left college to enroll in the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). After completing the two-year program and serving for another two years, she was hired as a worship pastor at the church.

Rise with Jesus Culture

In 2005, Kim entered a local singing competition called So You Want to Be a Star—an American Idol-style show hosted on KRVU in Chico. Her performance won her $25,000 and helped confirm her calling in music ministry.

Soon after, she joined Jesus Culture, the youth worship movement launched by Bethel Church. In 2006, she made her recording debut on Jesus Culture’s first album, Everything. Her 2007 performance of “How He Loves” by John Mark McMillan went viral, gaining over 23 million views on YouTube and solidifying her reputation as a worship leader with a powerful anointing.

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Solo Career and Musical Evolution

Kim released her first solo album, Here Is My Song, in 2008, under the Jesus Culture Music label. The album marked the beginning of a prolific solo career that would continue alongside her involvement with Jesus Culture until the end of the 2010s.

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Notable Solo and Collaborative Albums:

• 2008 – Here Is My Song 
• 2013 – Still Believe (Live solo album) 
• 2013 – Home (Collaborative album with husband Skyler Smith) 
• 2014 – When Christmas Comes 
• 2017 – On My Side – #1 on Billboard’s Christian Albums Chart 
• 2020 – Wild Heart 
• 2021 – Revival Nights Pt. 1 & 2 
• 2021 – No Temeré (Spanish worship EP) 
• 2024 – Trample 
• 2025 – Seasons (Live compilation album) 

Her 2017 album, On My Side, was especially significant, reaching #1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart and spawning the hit worship track “Throne Room.”

In 2018, she took part in Jesus Culture’s Grammy-nominated album Living With a Fire before officially stepping away from the group to focus entirely on her solo ministry.

Musical Style and Influences

Kim Walker-Smith is widely known for her spontaneous worship, emotional intensity, and prophetic style. Her worship sets often involve extended moments of personal encounter and deep reverence.

She cites Misty Edwards of the International House of Prayer and Suzy Yaraei of MorningStar Ministries as her greatest musical influences—both renowned for their raw, Spirit-led worship.

Personal Life: Husband and Family

Kim married fellow worship leader and guitarist Skyler Smith in 2009. The two have worked together on multiple musical projects, including their folk-style worship album Home, which became a breakout success. The couple lives in Redding, California, with their children and continue to minister together through music and teaching.

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Legacy and Impact

From viral YouTube videos to Grammy nominations, Kim Walker-Smith’s career is marked by authenticity, spiritual depth, and artistic excellence. She has mentored worship leaders globally, inspired millions of listeners, and continues to shape the sound of modern worship music through her live events and recordings.

Her journey from a small-town Oregon girl to a global worship icon is a testament to God’s transformative power and the impact of obedience to a divine calling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kim Walker-Smith

1. How old is Kim Walker-Smith?

While Kim Walker-Smith has not publicly shared her exact birthdate, she was born in the early 1980s, placing her in her early 40s. Despite the lack of a confirmed birth year, her long-standing presence in the Christian music scene spans over two decades. Kim began gaining recognition in the mid-2000s and has since become a seasoned voice and spiritual leader within global worship communities.

2. Is Kim Walker-Smith still part of Jesus Culture?

No, Kim Walker-Smith is no longer an active member of Jesus Culture, the worship ministry she helped build and lead for many years. Her final contribution with the group came in 2018 on the Grammy-nominated album Living With a Fire. After that, she felt led to step away from the ministry to focus more fully on her solo music career and personal ministry. Despite her departure, Kim remains deeply respectful of Jesus Culture and occasionally references her time there as foundational to her growth in worship leadership.

3. Who is Kim Walker-Smith’s husband?

Kim Walker-Smith is married to Skyler Smith, a fellow Christian musician, worship leader, and photographer. The couple got married in 2009 and have since collaborated on various music projects, including the 2013 album Home—a folk-influenced worship album that reached #2 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. Skyler plays a significant role not only in Kim’s musical journey but also in their shared vision for family, faith, and creative ministry. Together, they have three children and reside in Redding, California.

4. What is Kim Walker-Smith’s most popular song?

Kim’s most iconic and widely recognized performance is her live rendition of “How He Loves”, originally written by John Mark McMillan. Released in 2007 under Jesus Culture, this powerful worship song showcases Kim’s emotionally charged vocal delivery and vulnerability before God. The YouTube video of that performance has over 23 million views, and it continues to resonate deeply with worshippers around the world. The song is often cited as a turning point in modern worship music for its raw, spontaneous nature.

5. What is Kim Walker-Smith’s latest album?

As of 2025, Kim Walker-Smith’s most recent album is titled Seasons, a live compilation capturing the emotional and spiritual highs and lows of different seasons of life. It follows the release of her 2024 studio album Trample, which featured original songs focused on spiritual warfare, surrender, and triumph through Christ. These recent projects continue to affirm her relevance and creativity in the Christian music scene, reflecting a matured sound while staying rooted in Holy Spirit-led worship.

Final Thoughts about Kim Walker-Smith

Kim Walker-Smith‘s biography reflects a journey of worship, surrender, and spiritual depth. Whether through solo projects, live recordings, or collaborative worship events, she has remained a consistent voice in the global worship movement—bold, heartfelt, and always pointing upward.