Kim Walker-Smith

Kim Walker-Smith
Origin Redding, California
Genres Contemporary worship music
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter and worship leader
Instruments Singing, Vocals
Labels Jesus Culture
Associated acts Jesus Culture

Kim Walker-Smith is an American singer, songwriter, worship leader, and recording artist. She produced her first solo album, titled Here Is My Song, which was released in February 2008 through the Jesus Culture record label.[1][2] Walker-Smith is best known as the worship leader for the Jesus Culture Band and Jesus Culture events, and a worship pastor for Bethel Church in Redding.[3]

Her rendition of the John Mark McMillan song, "How He Loves", has been viewed over 12.5 million times on YouTube.[4] Her rendition of Brian Johnson and Jon Mohr song,[5] "Where You Go I Go", has over four million views on YouTube.[6]

Personal life

Kim Walker was born in Albany, Oregon and "raised in a small farm town called Klamath Falls, Oregon."[7] Her parents divorced when she was four years old. Her family moved frequently, causing her to be shy and withdrawn as a result of always being "the new kid". Walker stated that her family "for generations has been very musical and my mom put me on a stage when I was three. I grew up singing and was very involved in musical theater."[7] Walker gave her life to God when she was eighteen years old. During a challenging season in her life while attending Bethel, she received a vision about the love God had for her, and was a changed person after that encounter.[8]

In her early adulthood, Walker moved to Redding, California to attend a Christian college, but was struggling with her grades and wasn't happy attending university. One night while driving around she cried out to the Lord, and came across a 24-hour prayer house that had been recently set up by Bethel Church. Venturing inside, Walker was captivated and attended their church service the following Sunday. After a year she left university to attend the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). She graduated from the BSSM after completing their two-year program, and after two more years was hired by the church as a worship pastor.[7] Walker has stated that the "greatest desire of [her] heart is to see God's kingdom and power manifest for people to be set free, healed, and radically changed as they encounter God in worship.”[9]

In 2005, Walker's "powerful voice won her $25,000 cash in an "American Idol" type of competition called "So You Want to Be a Star," which aired on Chico television station KRVU. [She] is considered by many to be a forerunner in a new kind of worship referred to as prophetic worship.” [10] Walker has cited Misty Edwards of the International House of Prayer and Suzy Yaraei of Morning Star Ministries, both prominent worship leaders in the evangelical community, as her greatest musical influences.[10]

In 2009, Walker married Skyler Smith, another worship leader who also does graphic design and photography.[11] She now releases music under the name Kim Walker-Smith instead of her maiden name.[10] In addition to her career of solo albums, she is also a member of the band Jesus Culture, which began as a youth worship band at Bethel, but now hosts multiple worship conferences around the country and produces a live record each year, in addition to frequently leading worship at Bethel.[12] In 2010, Walker-Smith stated that she was "at Bethel once to twice a month right now. We travel about three to four times a month. About 40 percent of that is Jesus Culture.”[7] She has also expressed a desire for her music to expand into the secular community, expressing a passion for social justice and “to see the arts and creativity restored and a new standard set”[9]…”I’ve always looked at music as a vehicle to get me to people”.[10]

In 2013, Walker-Smith announced during her Still Believe Tour that she was pregnant. Her son, Wyatt Smith, was born September 25, 2013.[13]

In July 16, 2013 Walker-Smith and her husband, Skyler, released, Home, their first album together.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ "Here Is My Song > Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  2. ↑ Kyra Goldman, Special to the Record Searchlight. "Kim Walker Releases Solo Album". Redding.com. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Elevation to partner with Jesus Culture Music in UK and Europe". Christian Today. February 13, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  4. ↑ "How He Loves Us - Kim Walker-Smith / Jesus Culture". YouTube. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Page Not Found".
  6. ↑ jesusculture. "Where You Go I Go". Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "''Cross Rhythms'' Jesus Culture: Kim Walker Smith speaks about the powerful worship ministry from California". Crossrhythms.co.uk. March 12, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Jesus Culture: 'Raising Up Revivalists' - Today's Christian Woman".
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Kim Walker-Smith". Jesus Culture. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Kim Walker-Smith Biography - Facts, Life Story, Music Career". LyricsHall.com. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Skyler Smith". Jesus Culture. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Jesus Culture Band Main Artist Page :: JESUS CULTURE MUSIC". Jesusculture.com. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Kim Walker-Smith (@kimwalkersmith) - Twitter".

External links