Kent Henry

Renowned American singer, songwriter and worship leader born around 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri. Kent is considered a father of the contemporary praise and worship movement of the 1980s and 1990s, and is most well-known for his involvement with Integrity's (opens in a new tab) series. His initial recording and songwriting was as part of the St. Louis collective at New Covenant Church (aka "The Sheep Shed"), pastored by Bob Beckett, and where Kent served on staff. This group also featured Ron Tucker, Charlie LeBlanc,,, and.
Kent served as music director and worship leader at (later known as Grace Church STL (opens in a new tab)) in St. Louis, MO, under Pastor Ron Tucker (opens in a new tab), where he and Tom Brooks produced the church's earliest praise and worship albums with Ron Tucker leading. The album "Behold His Majesty (opens in a new tab)" which was released by and recorded at Grace World Outreach Center with Ron Tucker became the very first release (HM-1). This association with both and Grace (opens in a new tab) led Tom Brooks (who was Grace's music director and Integrity's new producer) to recommend Kent Henry as the front man for the third Hosanna! release "All Hail King Jesus (opens in a new tab)", which was originally recorded at Grace World Outreach Center with Ron Tucker and later overdubbed with Kent's lead vocal. This opportunity led to a consistent relationship with Integrity Music, resulting in Kent leading worship on six Hosanna! Music Praise & Worship (opens in a new tab) releases.
In addition to his work with Integrity, Kent launched in the 1980s, a magazine with articles related to worship ministry, and which included a song subscription program for teaching new music to churches. As Kent's notoriety grew, he launched an annual worship conference, most often hosted at Life Christian Center (opens in a new tab) in St. Louis, MO (which was under the leadership of Pastor Rick Shelton (opens in a new tab)). It was during the live worship sessions at these conferences that many of Kent's live albums were recorded.
Kent has extensive experience as a producer and recording engineer and had a career as a studio session vocalist before entering full-time ministry. Kent is a multi-instrumentalist, having experience as a drummer and session vocalist in his early years, and is known to play both piano and guitar on his albums. Kent earned his Bachelor in Management in Music and Religion from Webster University (opens in a new tab) in St. Louis, Missouri.
Kent and his wife Carla have three children: Jessica, Matt, and Ariel, all of whom are involved in worship leading. Kent's daughter Jessica is married to worship leader and Christian musician, who along with Kent, was involved in the creation.