Kim Walker-Smith (born in Albany, Oregon) is an American singer, songwriter, worship leader, and recording artist. She currently resides in Redding, CA with her husband Skyler. She produced her first solo album, titled Here Is My Song, which was released in February 2008 through the Jesus Culture record label. 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.
Her rendition of the John Mark McMillan song, "How He Loves", has been viewed over 1.2 million times on KZfaq. Her own song "Where You Go I Go" has over four million views on KZfaq.
Early Life:
Kim Walker was "raised in a small farm town called Klamath Falls, Oregon."[1] Her parents divorced when she was four years old and her family moved frequently, causing her to be shy and withdrawn as a result of always being "the new kid".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."
Career and Personal Life:
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 [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. [1] 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."[6]
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." [7] 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.
In 2009, Walker married Skyler Smith, another worship leader who also does graphic design and photography; they now live in San Francisco.[8] She now releases music under the name Kim Walker-Smith instead of her maiden name.[7] 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. [9] 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."[1] 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"..."I've always looked at music as a vehicle to get me to people".
Discography:
Everything with Chris Quilala and Melissa How (2006)
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 (2007)
Here is Love with Bethel Church featuring Chris Quilala & Kristene Mueller (2009)
Consumed with Chris Quilala and Melissa How (2009)
Come Away with Chris Quilala and Jesus Culture (2010)
My Passion EP with Chris Quilala and Jesus Culture (2010)
Awakening with Chris Quilala and Jesus Culture (2011)
Live from New York with Chris Quilala, Martin Smith, and Jesus Culture (2012)
Still Believe (2013)