Graham Kendrick is a British worship songwriter and singer, born on August 2, 1950 in England. The author of Shine, Jesus, Shine, The Servant King and Knowing You, he co-founded the March for Jesus movement, launched in London in 1987, and remains one of the great voices of contemporary worship in the United Kingdom.
Born on August 2, 1950 in England, Graham Kendrick began writing songs in the late 1960s and started out with the Christian beat group Whispers of Truth. He released his first solo album, Footsteps on the Sea, in 1972, recorded with guitarist Gordon Giltrap, and went on to record across several decades: his website counts more than 450 songs written and recorded. He writes for the congregation, with songs meant to be sung together, including Shine, Jesus, Shine, written in 1987, The Servant King and Knowing You.
A co-founder of the March for Jesus movement with Roger Forster, Gerald Coates and Lynn Green, he wrote its songs, and Shine, Jesus, Shine became its emblem. In 1995 he received a Dove Award for his international work, then two honorary doctorates in divinity, in 2000 and 2008. His most recent album, Salvation Songs, came out in 2024. In May 2020, during lockdown, he took part in The UK Blessing, a worship video bringing together 65 churches.
- Origin
- England, UK
- Style
- Worship and modern hymns
- Active since
- 1972 (first album, Footsteps on the Sea)
- Good to know
- Co-founder of the March for Jesus movement and author of Shine, Jesus, Shine
How did Graham Kendrick get started?
Graham Kendrick began composing in the late 1960s and played in the Christian beat group Whispers of Truth before becoming a solo singer. His first album, Footsteps on the Sea (1972), was recorded with guitarist Gordon Giltrap. He was later based at St Michael le Belfrey church in York, where he recorded Triumph in the Air (1980) and Cresta Run (1981), among others.
In the 1980s, his Make Way series of albums, begun in 1986 with Make Way for the King of Kings, accompanied public praise marches. The single Let the Flame Burn Brighter (1989) reached number 55 on the UK singles chart.
What makes Graham Kendrick unique?
Graham Kendrick writes so the whole congregation can sing: his best known songs are simple, easy to remember and born out of church life, like The Servant King, written for the Spring Harvest gathering whose theme carried that title. Shine, Jesus, Shine, written in 1987 and published in that year's Spring Harvest songbook, regularly ranks high in hymn polls, including a BBC poll in 2006. He has also developed the concept of Psalm Surfing, built around the psalms.
Where to start discovering Graham Kendrick?
Start with Shine, Jesus Shine, The Servant King and Knowing You, his three best known songs, in their original versions. Continue with the compilation The Very Best of Graham Kendrick: Knowing You Jesus (2010), then Keep the Banner Flying High (2018).
songs
Shine Jesus Shine
Written in 1987 and published in that year's Spring Harvest songbook, it is his best known song worldwide.
The Servant King
Born for the Spring Harvest gathering, it is also known by the title From Heaven You Came.
Knowing You
Also known as All I Once Held Dear, it is one of his most widely used songs in churches.
Discography
- 2024Salvation Songs
- 2022Where It Began· EP
- 2018Keep the Banner Flying High· Live
- 2011Banquet
- 2006Out of the Ordinary
- 2003Do Something Beautiful
- 1995Is Anyone Thirsty?
- 1990Amazing Love
- 1972Footsteps on the Sea
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is Graham Kendrick?
Graham Kendrick is a British worship songwriter and singer, born in 1950 in England. He is the author of Shine, Jesus, Shine, The Servant King and Knowing You, and one of the co-founders of the March for Jesus movement.
What is Graham Kendrick's most well known song?
Shine, Jesus, Shine, written in 1987, is his best known song. It is sung in many countries and regularly ranks in hymn polls, including a BBC poll in 2006.
Who wrote The Servant King (From Heaven You Came)?
Graham Kendrick. The song was born for the Spring Harvest gathering, whose theme carried that title, and it is now included in many songbooks.
What is March for Jesus?
It is a movement of public praise marches, launched in London in 1987 from the collaboration of several church leaders, including Graham Kendrick, who wrote its songs.
What is Graham Kendrick's latest album?
His most recent album is Salvation Songs, released in 2024. In 2022 he had released the EP Where It Began.
Where can you listen to Graham Kendrick?
His music is available on the main streaming platforms and on his official YouTube channel. His website also offers lyric videos, sheet music and MP3 files.