Charity Gayle is an American worship leader and songwriter from the Niagara Falls area of New York State. She became known for the song I Speak Jesus and then In the Presence of the King, both of which became contemporary worship standards. She now tours with her husband, singer Ryan Kennedy.
Charity Gayle grew up near Niagara Falls, in a family of pastors and church musicians: her father and grandfather were both pastors, and her mother led the choir. She started singing at the age of three and began writing songs at fourteen. After finishing her studies, she became an English teacher while leading worship on weekends at her father's church.
After a difficult period, she moved to Nashville to focus on songwriting, where she met the People & Songs songwriting community and her future husband, singer and songwriter Ryan Kennedy. Her first album, Lord You Are My Song, was released in 2018, followed by Endless Praise (2021) and then Rejoice (2024), which contains several of her most widely sung songs.
- Hometown
- Niagara Falls, New York, USA (now based in Houston, Texas)
- Style
- Contemporary worship and adoration, gospel influences
- Active since
- Mid-2010s
- Good to know
- I Speak Jesus, one of her most widely sung songs in both French- and English-speaking churches
How did Charity Gayle get started?
Born into a family of pastors near Niagara Falls, Charity Gayle sang in church from the age of three and wrote her first songs at fourteen. After finishing her studies, she taught high school English while leading worship on weekends. It was after a period of personal soul-searching that she decided to move to Nashville and devote herself fully to songwriting.
What makes Charity Gayle unique?
Her powerful voice, shaped by the gospel and choral traditions of her childhood, stands out from the usual softness of contemporary worship. Her song I Speak Jesus, originally written by Here Be Lions and Darlene Zschech, took on new life through her live version, which went viral in churches around the world. Charity Gayle also builds her career as a couple with her husband Ryan Kennedy, with whom she has gone through a premature birth and a health scare, experiences that shape her recent songs.
Where should you start with Charity Gayle?
Start with the three songs below, then explore the album Rejoice (2024), which brings together several of her most widely sung congregational songs of recent years.
songs
In The Presence of The King
A song that invites you to stand before God as if in a throne room, one of Charity Gayle's most streamed titles.
Emmanuel
A duet with her husband Ryan Kennedy centered on the biblical name Emmanuel, God with us.
I Believe
A declaration of faith from the album Rejoice (2024), recorded during a personal season marked by hardship.
Discography
- 2024Rejoice
- 2021Endless Praise
- 2018Lord You Are My Song
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is Charity Gayle?
Charity Gayle is an American worship leader and songwriter from the Niagara Falls area of New York State. Born into a family of pastors, she has sung in church since childhood and has led a solo career since the mid-2010s.
What is Charity Gayle's best-known song?
I Speak Jesus, in its live version, is the song that made her known worldwide. In the Presence of the King is also among her most listened-to songs.
Is Charity Gayle a Christian?
Yes, Charity Gayle is a Christian worship leader and songwriter. She grew up in a family of pastors and now leads worship on tour, in addition to writing songs for the church.
Where can you listen to Charity Gayle?
Her albums are available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer, and her official YouTube channel offers video clips and live concert recordings.
Is Charity Gayle married?
Yes, she is married to singer and songwriter Ryan Kennedy, with whom she has two sons. The couple has gone through a premature birth and a health scare, experiences reflected in several of her recent songs.