His death was confirmed by his longtime music director, Bruno Miranda, in a statement shared on Kenoly’s official Instagram account.
“This morning, Feb. 3, 2026, we said goodbye to Dr. Ron Kenoly,” Miranda wrote.
Just days before his passing, Kenoly had shared a reflective post on Instagram, expressing gratitude to those who supported his ministry over more than four decades. In the message, he spoke about his age and the far-reaching impact of his work.
“I am 81 and in my 48th year of ministry. These are some of those who helped me reach over 123 nations around the world over the past 20 years,” he wrote.
Following the announcement of his death, tributes have poured in from across the world, celebrating his life, music, and enduring spiritual influence.
Miranda, who worked closely with Kenoly for more than 20 years, described him as a mentor and a spiritual father.
“For over two decades, I had the honour of walking alongside him around the world in ministry—not just as his music director, but as a son, a student, and a witness to a life marked by faithfulness,” he said.
According to Miranda, Kenoly was deeply committed to the identity and responsibility of a worship leader.
“He was very intentional about one thing: he was not an artist and never an entertainer. He was a worship leader. He always explained that the calling of a worship leader is not to perform songs, but to lead people into true worship before the presence of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ,” he added.
While acknowledging the pain of the loss, Miranda said believers grieve with hope. “The worship he lived is now the worship he beholds.”
In Nigeria, Bishop Wale Oke also mourned Kenoly’s death, describing him as “a man of humility, a vessel of grace, and a true worshipper who gave his life to the glory of God.”
“Though our hearts are heavy, we submit to the perfect will of God, taking comfort in the assurance that a life spent in faithful devotion is never in vain,” the bishop said. He added that Kenoly’s spirit-filled songs and legacy would continue to speak across generations.
Other gospel ministers, including Nigerian worship leader Nathaniel Bassey, have also paid tribute to the late singer, acknowledging his influence on global worship music.
Who Was Ron Kenoly?
Ron Kenoly was an internationally acclaimed worship leader best known for popular songs such as Jesus Is Alive, Sing Out, and My God Is Able. His 1992 album Lift Him Up, released under Integrity Hosanna Music, achieved Gold certification after selling more than 500,000 copies.
He began singing in a Baptist church in his hometown of Coffeyville, Kansas. After graduating from high school, he joined the military. Upon leaving the service, he explored various styles of music, including secular genres, before fully committing to worship ministry in 1985.
Until his death, Kenoly remained actively involved in ministry. He served on the faculty of two universities in the United States, travelled extensively to minister, and ran mentoring programmes for pastors, musicians, worship leaders, choir directors, and others involved in church and parachurch music ministries.
Ron Kenoly leaves behind a lasting legacy of worship, mentorship, and global spiritual impact that will continue to shape Christian music for generations to come.