The global gospel community is mourning the loss of celebrated American worship leader and pastor Ron Kenoly, who passed away on February 3, 2026, at the age of 81.

The tragic news was confirmed by his longtime music director, Bruno Miranda, in an emotional statement shared on social media.

“This morning, Feb. 3, 2026, we said goodbye to Dr. Ron Kenoly,” Miranda wrote.

“For over 20 years, I had the honor of walking alongside him in ministry around the world, not just as his music director, but as a son, a student, and a witness to a life marked by faithfulness.”

Miranda described Kenoly as a man deeply committed to worship as a calling rather than a performance.

“He was never an artist, never an entertainer. He was a worship leader,” he said.

“A worship leader’s calling is not to perform songs, but to lead people into true worship in the presence of the King.”

Born in the United States, Kenoly served in the U.S. Air Force between 1965 and 1968, where he performed with a cover band known as the Mellow Fellows.

After his military service, he returned to Los Angeles and devoted himself fully to music ministry, a journey that would make him one of the most influential worship leaders of his generation.

Kenoly rose to global prominence with timeless songs such as Ancient of Days, Jesus Is Alive, and We’re Going Up.

Over the years, he released more than 20 albums, including God Is Able, Sing Out With One Voice, and Welcome Home.

Beyond music, he served faithfully as a pastor and worship leader at Jubilee Christian Centre in San Jose, California.

Tributes have poured in from across the world, including Nigerian preacher Nathaniel Bassey, who wrote, “Dr. Ron Kenoly crosses to the yonder side.

Thank you for inspiring generations of psalmists like me. I grew up on these songs, and today others are growing up on ours. Thank you, Sir.”

While the cause of his death has not been disclosed, Kenoly is survived by his wife, Tavita, and their three children, Samuel, Ronald, and Tony.