Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin, born Christopher Dwayne Tomlin, is an American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and worship leader known for writing and recording some of the most widely sung worship songs in modern Christian music. Born on May 4, 1972, in Grand Saline, Texas, he developed an interest in music and Christianity from an early age. His catalog includes songs such as “How Great Is Our God,” “Our God,” “Holy Is the Lord,” “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies),” “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” and “I Will Rise.”

Tomlin became closely associated with the Passion movement in the 1990s and was among the earliest artists signed to sixstepsrecords, the label established around the Passion ministry. His early work helped establish a modern worship sound that brought congregational songwriting into the contemporary Christian music industry. Over the course of his career, he has earned Grammy and Dove Awards and has become one of the most commercially successful worship artists of his generation.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Education

Chris Tomlin grew up in Grand Saline, a small town in East Texas. His father introduced him to guitar, and country music was an important part of his early musical environment. Tomlin has cited Willie Nelson’s Stardust as an early musical influence.

Christianity was equally important in his upbringing. He became a Christian at the age of nine and began writing songs of praise during his teenage years. By 14, he had written his first worship song, giving him an early foundation in both songwriting and Christian ministry.

Tomlin attended Texas A&M University in the early 1990s, initially studying with plans connected to medicine. During his university years, however, his involvement in Christian ministry increasingly shaped the direction of his life. He became active in Breakaway, a Christian student ministry at Texas A&M, where he served as a worship leader.

His work with Breakaway introduced him to Louie Giglio, then involved in college ministry and Bible studies in Texas. Tomlin and Giglio subsequently worked together at youth ministry events, beginning a relationship that would become central to Tomlin’s professional career.

Career Beginnings and Passion

Giglio’s ministry eventually developed into Passion, a movement focused particularly on university students and young adults. Tomlin became one of the worship leaders associated with Passion, alongside other musicians who would later become prominent figures in contemporary Christian music.

As Passion grew, Tomlin’s songs became part of its worship gatherings. Giglio eventually established sixstepsrecords as a record label connected to the movement, and Tomlin became one of its first artists.

His debut album, The Noise We Make, was released in 2001. The project introduced the songwriting style that would become central to his career, combining accessible melodies with lyrics designed for communal worship rather than simply individual listening.

In 2002, Tomlin moved to Austin, Texas, where he became a pastor at Stone Community Church. His involvement in church ministry remained closely connected to his music, and he continued writing and leading worship while developing his recording career.

Breakthrough and Career Success

Tomlin’s major breakthrough came with Arriving, released in 2004. The album included several songs that went on to become staples of contemporary Christian worship, most notably “How Great Is Our God,” “Holy Is the Lord” and “Indescribable.”

“How Great Is Our God” became particularly influential. Written by Tomlin and Ed Cash, the song was adopted by churches across different denominations and became one of the defining worship songs of the 2000s. Its success also helped establish Tomlin as one of the leading figures in contemporary worship music.

He followed Arriving with See the Morning in 2006. The album produced songs including “Made to Worship” and “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone),” the latter being Tomlin’s contemporary reworking of the traditional hymn “Amazing Grace.”

Hello Love arrived in 2008 and continued his commercial success, while And If Our God Is for Us… followed in 2010. The latter included “Our God,” a song co-written with Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin and Jesse Reeves. “Our God” became another major congregational worship song and further extended Tomlin’s influence beyond the Christian music industry.

Musical Style and Influences

Tomlin’s music is built around a relatively straightforward songwriting philosophy: memorable melodies, accessible lyrics and themes that can be sung by large groups of people. Rather than writing exclusively for the commercial Christian music market, much of his catalog has been created with congregational worship in mind.

His songs frequently focus on the greatness, holiness, faithfulness and love of God. He also draws heavily from Scripture and traditional Christian hymns, often combining older theological themes with contemporary musical arrangements.

This approach can be heard in songs such as “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone),” which combines the words and melody of the historic hymn with newly written material, and “How Great Is Our God,” which uses simple repetition and a strong melodic structure that allows it to function naturally in church worship.

Although contemporary Christian music has changed considerably during his career, Tomlin has generally maintained a recognizable worship-centered sound. His music has incorporated modern pop and rock production while retaining the communal quality of congregational worship.

Notable Albums and Songs

Tomlin’s discography spans more than two decades and includes numerous influential worship recordings. Among his major studio albums are The Noise We Make (2001), Not to Us (2002), Arriving (2004), See the Morning (2006), Hello Love (2008), And If Our God Is for Us… (2010), Burning Lights (2013), Love Ran Red (2014), Never Lose Sight (2016), Holy Roar (2018) and Always (2022).

Some of his best-known songs include “How Great Is Our God,” “Holy Is the Lord,” “Indescribable,” “Made to Worship,” “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone),” “Our God,” “I Will Rise,” “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies),” “I Lift My Hands,” “At the Cross (Love Ran Red)” and “Good Good Father.”

His later work has included collaborative projects and Christmas recordings. Chris Tomlin & Friends, released in 2020, brought together Tomlin with artists from Christian music and other genres. Always, released in 2022, continued his focus on contemporary worship, while his later catalog has included Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship and the 2025 project The King Is Still the King.

Awards, Recognition and Collaborations

Tomlin’s songwriting and recordings have earned extensive recognition throughout his career. He has won a Grammy Award and has received numerous Grammy nominations. The Recording Academy lists 15 Grammy nominations for Tomlin, including nominations for albums such as Burning Lights, Love Ran Red, Holy Roar and Always, as well as songs including “Our God,” “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)” and “Holy Forever.”

He has also received numerous Dove Awards and other Christian music honors. His work has repeatedly appeared among the most commercially successful releases in contemporary Christian music.

Collaboration has been another important part of his career. He has worked with Louie Giglio, Matt Redman, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, Jason Ingram, Phil Wickham, Matt Maher, David Crowder, Chris August and numerous other Christian artists and songwriters. His involvement with Passion has also connected him with generations of worship leaders and musicians who have helped shape modern Christian worship.

Current Career and Legacy

Chris Tomlin remains active as a recording artist, songwriter and touring worship leader. His recent work includes new music, major live events and the ongoing Worship Under the Stars concert series. In September 2026, the series reached sold-out performances at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and The Rady Shell in San Diego. His official career updates also show continued touring throughout 2026.

His influence extends well beyond album sales. Many of his songs have become part of the regular worship repertoire of churches around the world, meaning that his songwriting has reached audiences far beyond those who follow contemporary Christian music as a commercial genre.

Tomlin’s career has also helped demonstrate how songs written for congregational worship can cross successfully into the mainstream Christian music industry without losing their original purpose. From his early years leading worship at Texas A&M and Passion gatherings to his international recording and touring career, he has maintained a consistent emphasis on writing music that brings people together in worship.

With a career spanning more than two decades, Chris Tomlin has become one of the defining songwriters and worship leaders of modern contemporary Christian music. His combination of accessible songwriting, biblical themes and congregational focus has made songs such as “How Great Is Our God,” “Our God” and “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” enduring parts of contemporary Christian worship.