Christopher Dwayne Tomlin (born May 4, 1972) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader from Grand Saline, Texas.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Tomlin has written some of the most widely sung worship songs in modern church history — including “How Great Is Our God,” “Holy Forever,” “Our God,” and “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies).”
Time magazine once called him “the most often sung artist anywhere,” and that claim is hard to argue: an estimated 20 to 30 million people sing one of his songs in a Sunday service every single week.
He has won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, collected more than 22 GMA Dove Awards, and topped the Billboard 200 with his 2013 album Burning Lights — only the fourth Christian album in history to achieve that.
As of 2025, Tomlin is based in Franklin, Tennessee, where he lives with his wife, Lauren Bricken, and their three daughters.
Chris Tomlin at a Glance
| Personal | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Dwayne Tomlin |
| Born | May 4, 1972 — Grand Saline, Texas, USA |
| Age | 54 (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Grand Saline, Texas |
| Residence | Franklin, Tennessee |
| Spouse | Lauren Bricken Tomlin (m. November 9, 2010) |
| Children | Ashlyn Tomlin; Madison Tomlin; Elle Grace Tomlin |
| Parents | Connie Tomlin (father); Donna Tomlin (mother) |
| Siblings | Ryan Tomlin; Cory Tomlin |
| Education | |
| High school | Grand Saline High School (graduated 1990) |
| College | Tyler Junior College; Texas A&M University (did not graduate) |
| Ministry & Career | |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, worship leader |
| Genre | Contemporary Christian music (CCM); Contemporary worship music |
| Church (former) | Passion City Church, Atlanta, GA (2009–c. 2017) |
| Home church (current) | Church of the City, Nashville / Franklin, TN area |
| Label | Capitol Christian Music Group / Evergreen Music Recordings |
| Active since | 1993 |
| Website | christomlin.com |
| Career Highlights | |
| Studio albums | 14+ (plus live and Christmas albums) |
| Grammy Award | 1 win (Best CCM Album, 2012 — And If Our God Is for Us…) |
| GMA Dove Awards | 22+ |
| #1 Christian radio singles | 16+ |
| Records sold | 7 million+ |
| Est. net worth | ~$3 million (2025 estimates) |
| Nonprofit | For Others (co-founded 2019 with Lauren) |
Early Life: Grand Saline to God’s Call
Chris Tomlin grew up in Grand Saline, a small town in East Texas with a population that barely tops 3,000. It was not a place anyone expected to produce a global worship phenomenon. But the seeds were planted early.
He was born into a Christian home, raised by his parents, Connie and Donna Tomlin. Country music was the soundtrack of his childhood.
His father taught him to play guitar, and Willie Nelson’s Stardust album was a key early influence — a reminder that Tomlin’s roots have always been more Texas porch than cathedral stage.
At age 9, Tomlin accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour. By 13, he was leading worship at Main Street Baptist Church in Grand Saline. At 14, he wrote his first original worship song.
These were not resume entries. They were genuine steps of someone finding out that music and faith were not two separate things for him — they were the same thing.
He has two brothers, Ryan and Cory Tomlin, both of whom are married to nurses and have adopted children with special medical needs from the foster care system — a detail that would later shape Chris’s own philanthropic work in a real way.
Education: The Path That Changed Direction
After graduating from Grand Saline High School in 1990, Tomlin enrolled at Tyler Junior College with plans to pursue a medical or physical therapy career. He later transferred to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
That transfer changed everything. At A&M, Tomlin joined a campus ministry called Breakaway, where he quickly moved into a worship leadership role.
It was through Breakaway that he crossed paths with Louie Giglio — a Bible study leader from Baylor University in Waco who ran a ministry called Choice. The two formed a working relationship that would define the next two decades of Tomlin’s life.
He never completed his degree. The call to music and ministry was too clear to ignore, and by the mid-1990s, Tomlin was already recording independently and leading worship for Giglio’s growing student movement.
Ministry Career: From Campus to the World’s Stages
The Passion Conferences Partnership
Louie Giglio’s Choice Ministry eventually became Passion Conferences — a national movement aimed at mobilising college students around the glory of God. Tomlin came on board as the lead worship artist in 1999, a role that would catapult both his career and the movement’s reach.
Passion Conferences gave Tomlin something most artists never get: a live, passionate, stadium-sized audience for original worship music before he had a major label deal.
He worshipped alongside artists like Matt Redman, Charlie Hall, Christy Nockels, and Kristian Stanfill. The songs tested at Passion events often became the church standards that landed on his solo albums — and then in Sunday services worldwide.
Giglio launched Sixsteps Records in 2000, and Tomlin signed immediately. His first nationally distributed solo album, The Noise We Make, arrived in 2001, featuring the song “Forever.”
Passion City Church
In 2008, after five solo albums and years of collaborating with Giglio at Passion events, Tomlin made a significant personal decision: he relocated from Texas to Atlanta, Georgia.
He and Giglio were starting a local church together. Passion City Church held its first service in February 2009 and drew 3,300 people that day alone.
Tomlin served as a worship leader at Passion City Church through much of the 2010s, helping shape its musical DNA. The church became a hub for contemporary worship music in the Southeast. He later relocated to Franklin, Tennessee — just outside Nashville — where he has been based ever since.
Labels and the Move to Nashville
Tomlin parted ways with Sixsteps Records in 2015 and signed with Capitol Christian Music Group (a subsidiary of Universal Music Group) in 2016.
The move to a major Christian label coincided with his relocation to the Nashville area, putting him at the centre of the contemporary Christian music industry. He has released all subsequent albums through Capitol CMG or its partner labels.
Chris Tomlin’s Most Famous Songs
Tomlin is one of the most covered songwriters in the history of the church. His catalog is not measured just in streams or chart positions — it is measured in how many congregations around the world have woven his songs into weekly worship.
How Great Is Our God
“How Great Is Our God” is Tomlin’s most iconic song and arguably one of the most sung worship songs ever written. He co-wrote it with Jesse Reeves and Ed Cash, and the inspiration came from Psalm 104.
Tomlin has described the moment vividly: he was sitting on his sofa in a small apartment in Austin, Texas, reading the opening verses of Psalm 104, when the chorus appeared. He had no idea it would become what it became.
The song appeared on his 2004 album Arriving, reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, and won both Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year at the 2006 GMA Dove Awards.
By 2014 it was the fifth most popular worship song according to CCLI’s top 25 chart. At Passion 2012, Tomlin performed a “World Edition” of the song with the lyrics sung in nine languages simultaneously.
It is the song Charlie Kirk’s family requested at his memorial service. It is the song Tomlin opened with when 70,000 people packed State Farm Stadium in September 2025. That a song born on a sofa in Austin could travel that far is, to Tomlin, evidence of something far bigger than songwriting.
Holy Forever
“Holy Forever”, co-written with Jason Ingram, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, and Phil Wickham, became Tomlin’s biggest commercial moment in over a decade.
The song spent six weeks at #1 on Christian radio and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 2023 ceremony. It appeared on the 2022 album Always and quickly became a congregational staple around the world.
Our God
“Our God” is built on Romans 8:31 — “If our God is for us, who can be against us?” — and stands as one of Tomlin’s most anthemic declarations of faith.
It reached #1 on the Christian airplay charts, inspired the title of his 2010 album, and has been covered by hundreds of artists worldwide. The lyric is simple enough to be learned in a single hearing. That is entirely deliberate.
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)
Featured on the Burning Lights album, “Whom Shall I Fear” became a signature of Tomlin’s arena worship era — wide, declarative, and built for rooms full of people who need something to hold on to. The song draws from Isaiah 41 and became a radio hit that introduced his music to a new generation of listeners.
Other Key Songs
His catalog also includes “Forever,” “Holy Is the Lord,” “Jesus Messiah,” “I Will Rise,” “Good Good Father” (a cover), “Glorious Day,” and dozens of others that appear weekly in church playlists across denominations and continents. Tomlin has placed 16+ songs at #1 on the Christian airplay chart — more than any other artist.
Discography
Chris Tomlin has released 14 solo studio albums, multiple live recordings, and two Christmas albums. Here is a full chronological list:
| Year | Album | Label | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Inside Your Love | Independent | First independent release |
| 1998 | Authentic | Independent | Second independent release |
| 2001 | The Noise We Make | Sixsteps | First national release; features “Forever” |
| 2002 | Not to Us | Sixsteps | Includes early Passion-era songs |
| 2004 | Arriving | Sixsteps/Sparrow | Features “How Great Is Our God”; Dove Award winner; RIAA Platinum |
| 2006 | See the Morning | Sixsteps/Sparrow | Debuted #15 Billboard 200; 2 Grammy nominations |
| 2008 | Hello Love | Sixsteps/Sparrow | RIAA Gold; Grammy nominated; features “Jesus Messiah” |
| 2009 | Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship | Sixsteps | #1 Billboard Holiday chart |
| 2010 | And If Our God Is for Us… | Sixsteps/Sparrow | Grammy Winner — Best CCM Album (2012) |
| 2013 | Burning Lights | Sixsteps/Sparrow | #1 Billboard 200 — 4th CCM album ever; RIAA Platinum |
| 2014 | Love Ran Red | Sixsteps/Sparrow | Grammy nominated; features “At the Cross (Love Ran Red)” |
| 2015 | Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship | Sixsteps | #1 Billboard Holiday chart |
| 2016 | Never Lose Sight | Capitol CMG | First Capitol CMG release; RIAA Gold |
| 2018 | Holy Roar | Capitol CMG | Grammy nominated (2020) |
| 2020 | Chris Tomlin & Friends | Capitol CMG | #1 Christian Albums chart; country crossover collaborations |
| 2021 | Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship | Capitol CMG | Christmas record; pandemic-era release |
| 2022 | Always | Sparrow/Capitol CMG | Features “Holy Forever” — 6 weeks at #1 Christian radio; Grammy nominated |
| 2025 | The King Is Still the King | Evergreen/Capitol CMG | 14th studio album; features “How Good It Is”; released September 26, 2025 |
Chris Tomlin’s Wife and Family Life
Meeting Lauren Bricken
In 2008, Chris Tomlin moved from Texas to Atlanta to help Louie Giglio launch Passion City Church. A mutual friend introduced him to an Atlanta native named Lauren Bricken — and reportedly joked that the relationship would not last. The friend was wrong.
Lauren Bricken was an Auburn University graduate working as a professional makeup artist, specialising in weddings, print, and corporate video. She is also a women’s coordinator at Adventures of the Heart.
She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and those who know her describe her as warm, private, and deeply grounded in faith. She has largely kept a low public profile throughout their marriage.
Marriage
Chris and Lauren married on November 9, 2010, in a small, peaceful ceremony in Hawaii. Chris was 38 years old; Lauren was 30. Both have described marrying “later in life” — and both have said the timing was right.
Lauren has compared their personalities to characters from Pride and Prejudice: she is the fiery Elizabeth Bennet; Chris is the quiet, calm Mr. Darcy.
One month after the wedding, Lauren discovered she was pregnant. The early years of marriage were, by their own account, difficult.
Lauren has spoken about what she called a “holy war” — a period of about three years in which God was working on both of them simultaneously, stripping away selfness, building real partnership.
“God was dismantling both of us,” she said in a podcast interview with Christy Nockels, “taking us to the studs.” They were supposed to go on tour together. That did not happen. Instead, something more important happened: they learned how to be married.
Fourteen years in, they are still together — and still ministry partners. Lauren serves as a board member of For Others, the nonprofit she co-founded with Chris. She is not a background figure in his story. She is a co-architect of much of what they have built.
Children
The Tomlins have three daughters:
- Ashlyn Tomlin — born 2011 (first child; pregnancy began one month after their wedding)
- Madison Tomlin — born 2014
- Elle Grace Tomlin — born later (Chris announced her arrival on social media, writing that “babies are miracles” and that the couple was “counting our blessings and soaking up every moment”)
Tomlin has spoken often about fatherhood. “It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever seen,” he has said. His family home on 25 acres on the outskirts of Franklin, Tennessee, is named Peacefield — a nod to John Adams’s farm and a deliberate contrast to the noise of touring. For a man who has sold out Madison Square Garden, the name says something.
Was Chris Tomlin Married Before Lauren?
No. Lauren Bricken is Chris Tomlin’s only wife. He has never been married before. He was 38 at the time of their wedding in 2010 and often speaks of waiting until the time was right.
How Much Older Is Chris Tomlin Than His Wife?
Chris Tomlin is 8 years older than Lauren Bricken. He was born on May 4, 1972; Lauren was born around 1980, making her approximately 46 as of 2026.
Was Chris Tomlin at Charlie Kirk’s Memorial?
Yes. On September 21, 2025, Chris Tomlin led worship at the memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who had been shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University. The memorial, titled “Building a Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk,” was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
It became one of the largest memorial services held for a private citizen in recent American history. The stadium held 70,000 people. An additional 20,000 gathered in overflow venues. Press credential requests exceeded even those for the Super Bowl.
Tomlin opened the service with “How Great Is Our God” — a song that had been one of Kirk’s personal favourites. He also sang “Holy Forever.” He was joined by Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe Carnes, Cody Carnes, and Lee Greenwood. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were among those who spoke.
Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, publicly forgave her husband’s killer from the stage. “Our Saviour said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ That young man — I forgive him,” she said. Tomlin called that moment “the words heard around the world.”
He had initially not been sure how to walk into the moment. “I said, ‘Lord, I’m just going to lead people. I don’t really know how to even walk in this moment, but just to lead people to You,'” he told The Christian Post.
The experience, he said, marked something in him. He called it a “real awakening” — evidence that something significant was happening spiritually across America.
What Is Chris Tomlin’s Church?
For a season, Chris Tomlin was one of the most visible worship leaders at Passion City Church in Atlanta — the church he and Louie Giglio helped launch in 2009. His voice shaped that congregation’s early worship culture.
After relocating to Franklin, Tennessee, Tomlin shifted his church connection closer to home. He has been publicly linked with community in the Nashville area and is known to worship in the Franklin/Nashville church community.
In a podcast interview with the Jesus Calling team, his collaborator Pastor Darren Whitehead — Senior Pastor of Church of the City, with five locations in the Nashville area and two in New York — appeared alongside Tomlin in what suggests a close ministry relationship.
Church of the City appears to be his current church home, though Tomlin has not made a formal public announcement about church membership.
His weekly church life is now separate from his touring life. He is a worshipper first. The concerts are an extension of that — not a replacement.
Philanthropy: For Others and Angel Armies
Chris Tomlin’s platform has always pointed beyond music. His most structured philanthropic work centres on For Others, a nonprofit he and Lauren co-founded in 2019, originally called Angel Armies.
For Others focuses on the child welfare crisis in the United States — particularly the foster care and adoption system. The organization works as a strategic philanthropic partner to state agencies, connecting government with local nonprofits that provide data-driven care for children in crisis.
Over four million children move through the US foster care system annually. For Others exists to close the gap between those children and the families and communities who can help.
Tomlin’s personal connection runs deeper than a cause. His brothers Ryan and Cory — both married to nurses — have adopted children with special medical needs from the foster care system. This is not a celebrity charity. It is a family mission.
The primary fundraising vehicle is the annual Good Friday Nashville concert at Bridgestone Arena. The event has grown into one of the largest annual worship gatherings in Nashville, drawing tens of thousands of attendees each spring — with all proceeds going directly to For Others.
In 2023, the second annual Troubadour For Others Vision Gathering golf tournament and gala raised over $12 million, far exceeding its goal. Celebrity participants included Carrie Underwood, TobyMac, Drew Brees, and Vince Gill.
Beyond For Others, Tomlin has supported Food for the Hungry, the Nashville Rescue Mission, and various faith-based international aid organisations. Worship, for Tomlin, has never been abstract — it has always been tied to action.
Awards and Recognition
| Award | Category | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Award | Best CCM Album — And If Our God Is for Us… | 2012 | Won |
| Grammy Award | Best CCM Album — Burning Lights | 2014 | Nominated |
| Grammy Award | Best CCM Album — Love Ran Red | 2016 | Nominated |
| Grammy Award | Best CCM Album — Holy Roar | 2020 | Nominated |
| Grammy Award | Best CCM Album — Always | 2023 | Nominated |
| Grammy Award | Best CCM Performance/Song — “Holy Forever” | 2023 | Nominated |
| GMA Dove Awards | Multiple categories including Artist of Year, Male Vocalist, Song of Year | 2005–present | 22+ wins |
| GMA Dove Award | Male Vocalist of the Year | 2006, 2007, 2008 | Won (3 consecutive) |
| GMA Dove Award | Song of the Year — “How Great Is Our God” | 2006 | Won |
| ASCAP Award | Songwriter of the Year | 2007 | Won |
| Billboard Music Awards | Top Christian Artist | Multiple | Multiple wins/nominations |
| RIAA Certifications | Platinum and Gold albums | Various | 2 Platinum, multiple Gold |
What Happened to Chris Tomlin? Recent News (2025–2026)
Chris Tomlin has been in one of the busiest stretches of his career. Here is what has been happening:
September 2025 — Charlie Kirk Memorial: Tomlin led worship before a global audience at the memorial for Charlie Kirk, calling it a marking moment in his life and a sign of spiritual awakening in America. The service was one of the most-watched Christian events of the year.
September 26, 2025 — New Album: The King Is Still the King dropped just days after the memorial. The album — his 14th studio record and first in three years — features 16 tracks built around the sounds of nature (wind, rain, thunder, birdsong) and collaborators including Phil Wickham, Ben Fielding, and CalledOut Music.
The lead single, “How Good It Is,” draws directly from Psalms 92, 98, 100, and 113. Tomlin described the album in one word: celebration.
Late 2025 into 2026 — Evening of Worship Tour: Tomlin returned to the road immediately after the memorial, saying the atmosphere at his concerts felt different than anything he had experienced before. He has described a post-Kirk awakening in the rooms he plays.
July 1, 2026 — Freedom 250 Concert: Tomlin performed at a United States Semiquincentennial event in Washington, D.C. The concert drew criticism when the event was widely reported as poorly attended, with a mostly-empty crowd despite high-profile booking.
Tomlin’s presence was confirmed, though the event itself became a talking point about the limits of government-organised cultural events.
September 2026 — Worship Under the Stars: Tomlin made history as the first Christian act to perform at The Rady Shell in San Diego (sold out), following sold-out shows at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. He celebrated the milestone at the historic Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood.
As of September 2026, Tomlin is healthy, active, and very much at the centre of contemporary Christian music. There has been no credible public report of any health crisis or illness affecting either Chris or Lauren.
Net Worth and Financial Picture
As of 2025–2026, Chris Tomlin’s net worth is estimated at approximately $3 million — a figure that reflects a genuinely unusual financial philosophy for someone at his level of career success.
His income streams include album sales, music royalties (including ongoing church licensing for songs like “How Great Is Our God”), touring revenue, songwriting credits, and speaking engagements.
“How Great Is Our God” alone generates consistent income through CCLI licensing — thousands of churches pay annual fees to cover the songs they sing, and Tomlin’s songs are among the most licensed in the world.
He lives modestly relative to that output. His family home in Franklin, Tennessee — named Peacefield — sits on 25 rolling acres, but Tomlin has been consistent in directing resources toward charitable work rather than personal wealth accumulation.
The Good Friday Nashville concert, which raises money for For Others, is one of the most consistent examples of a ministry leader channelling platform for genuine kingdom work.
Unlike some artists who take a salary from their ministry organisation, Tomlin has historically kept those streams separate. His financial decisions, by most public accounts, reflect what he preaches.
Theology and Worship Philosophy
Chris Tomlin is not a theologian in the academic sense. He is a songwriter whose theology is expressed in metre and melody. But the convictions underneath his music are clear and consistent.
He writes scripture-based songs. That is not an accident. “How Good It Is,” the lead single from his 2025 album, pulls almost every word directly from the Psalms.
“How Great Is Our God” opened with Psalm 104. Tomlin has said many times that his goal is not to write songs people remember — it is to write songs that carry the church deeper into God. Modern worship artists often walk this same line between personal expression and congregational utility. Tomlin walks it as well as anyone.
He is non-denominational in affiliation, broadly evangelical in theology, and charismatic in worship style — open to emotional expression, large-scale events, and the belief that God moves in rooms full of people.
He is not a prosperity gospel advocate. His songs are about the greatness of God, not the benefits of faith. That distinction matters, and it has kept his music broadly acceptable across a wide range of church traditions.
Tomlin has also said publicly that “building a career is just fine, but nothing compares to building bridges through music that lead to hope, healing and higher ground.” That sentence has not changed in thirty years of interviews. That kind of consistency is its own statement.
Influence and Legacy
It is hard to overstate what Chris Tomlin has done for congregational worship music in the twenty-first century. Before Tomlin, contemporary Christian music and church music were often separate ecosystems.
Songs written for the radio rarely made it into Sunday morning. Tomlin collapsed that gap. His songs are made for congregations — simple enough to be learned in a single hearing, deep enough to be sung for a lifetime.
Time magazine’s claim that he may be “the most often sung artist anywhere” is not promotional copy — it reflects a genuine demographic reality. An estimated 20 to 30 million people sing his songs every Sunday.
No stadium tour can match that reach. He has more weekly listeners than virtually anyone alive. They just do not appear in Spotify’s weekly charts because they are singing in churches, not earbuds.
His influence extends to the culture of contemporary worship. Artists like Amanda Cook and an entire generation of CCM writers have been shaped by the accessible, scripture-anchored style Tomlin helped define.
Passion Conferences, which Tomlin helped build from a small student gathering into a global movement, has been a training ground for worship leaders across the world.
The legacy question — what will he leave behind? — is less complicated for Tomlin than for most. He has already left it. It is in the mouths of the congregations who sing his songs without knowing who wrote them. That anonymity, for Tomlin, is the point.
Interesting Facts About Chris Tomlin
- He wrote his first worship song at age 14.
- His guitar skills came from his father, who taught him as a child. Willie Nelson’s Stardust was one of his earliest musical influences — not a typical starting point for a worship leader.
- “How Great Is Our God” was written in a single sitting while Tomlin was reading Psalm 104 in his Austin apartment. He did not know it would become one of the most sung songs in the world.
- He went to Texas A&M planning to study medicine or physical therapy. Campus ministry changed his direction entirely.
- His family home in Franklin, Tennessee, is named Peacefield — the same name President John Adams gave his farm.
- He is a “funcle” (foster uncle) to four children with special medical needs, adopted by his brothers Ryan and Cory after they served as foster parents.
- His Good Friday Nashville concert at Bridgestone Arena raises millions annually for the For Others nonprofit — all proceeds go directly to children in the US foster care system.
- He once performed a version of “How Great Is Our God” in nine languages simultaneously at Passion 2012.
- He sold out Madison Square Garden — one of the few Christian artists to headline the venue.
- His 2013 album Burning Lights was only the fourth CCM album ever to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Chris Tomlin Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1972 | Born May 4 in Grand Saline, Texas |
| 1981 | Accepts Jesus Christ as Saviour at age 9 |
| 1985 | Begins leading worship at Main Street Baptist Church, Grand Saline, at age 13 |
| 1986 | Writes first original worship song at age 14 |
| 1990 | Graduates from Grand Saline High School; enrolls at Tyler Junior College |
| 1992 | Transfers to Texas A&M University; joins Breakaway campus ministry; meets Louie Giglio |
| 1995 | Releases first independent album, Inside Your Love |
| 1998 | Releases second independent album, Authentic |
| 1999 | Joins Passion Conferences as lead worship artist |
| 2000 | Signs with newly founded Sixsteps Records |
| 2001 | Releases first national album, The Noise We Make |
| 2004 | Releases Arriving; “How Great Is Our God” breaks through nationally |
| 2006 | Wins GMA Dove Award Song of Year and Worship Song of Year for “How Great Is Our God”; wins ASCAP Songwriter of the Year in 2007 |
| 2008 | Relocates from Texas to Atlanta; releases Hello Love |
| 2009 | Passion City Church holds first service in Atlanta; Tomlin serves as worship leader |
| 2010 | Marries Lauren Bricken on November 9 in Hawaii |
| 2011 | Wins Grammy Award for Best CCM Album — And If Our God Is for Us…; daughter Ashlyn born |
| 2013 | Burning Lights debuts at #1 on Billboard 200 — fourth CCM album ever to do so |
| 2014 | Daughter Madison born |
| 2015 | Departs Sixsteps Records |
| 2016 | Signs with Capitol Christian Music Group; releases Never Lose Sight; relocates to Franklin, Tennessee |
| 2019 | Co-founds Angel Armies (later renamed For Others) with Lauren; daughter Elle Grace born |
| 2022 | Releases Always; “Holy Forever” spends 6 weeks at #1 Christian radio |
| 2023 | Grammy-nominated for Always and “Holy Forever”; For Others raises $12M+ at annual gala |
| 2025 | Leads worship at Charlie Kirk memorial before 70,000+ people; releases The King Is Still the King |
| 2026 | Performs at Freedom 250 event in Washington D.C.; sells out The Greek Theatre (LA) and Rady Shell (San Diego) |
Frequently Asked Questions About Chris Tomlin
What is Chris Tomlin’s most famous song?
“How Great Is Our God” is widely considered Tomlin’s most iconic song. Co-written with Jesse Reeves and Ed Cash, it reached #1 on Christian radio, won Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year at the 2006 Dove Awards, and has been translated into dozens of languages. An estimated 20–30 million people sing it in churches every single week.
Which church does Chris Tomlin go to?
Tomlin served as a worship leader at Passion City Church in Atlanta from 2009 through much of the 2010s. After relocating to Franklin, Tennessee, he has worshipped in the Nashville area. He has a close public relationship with Pastor Darren Whitehead of Church of the City in Nashville, which has locations across the Nashville metro area and in New York City.
Was Chris Tomlin at Charlie Kirk’s funeral?
Yes. On September 21, 2025, Tomlin led worship at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. He opened the service with “How Great Is Our God” and also sang “Holy Forever.” The event drew over 70,000 people inside the stadium and 20,000 more in overflow venues.
What happened to Chris Tomlin?
Chris Tomlin is active and healthy. He released his 14th studio album The King Is Still the King in September 2025, led worship at one of the most-watched Christian events of the year (the Charlie Kirk memorial), and has continued touring through 2026. He performed at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and became the first Christian act to headline the Rady Shell in San Diego.
What happened to Chris Tomlin’s health?
There is no public record of a health crisis affecting Chris Tomlin. Queries about his health appear to be driven by general concern or misinformation online. As of September 2026, Tomlin is performing and releasing music at an active pace.
Chris Tomlin’s wife — does she have cancer?
No verified or credible public report confirms that Lauren Bricken Tomlin has been diagnosed with cancer. This appears to be a persistent online rumour with no basis in official statements from either Chris or Lauren. The couple was photographed together at the K-LOVE Fan Awards in Nashville as recently as May 2026.
How many times has Chris Tomlin been married?
Once. Chris Tomlin married Lauren Bricken on November 9, 2010. He has never been married before and has never separated from or divorced Lauren. They have been married for over 15 years.
Does Chris Tomlin have any children?
Yes. Chris and Lauren have three daughters: Ashlyn (born 2011), Madison (born 2014), and Elle Grace (born later in the 2010s). Tomlin has spoken warmly about fatherhood, particularly about the “special thing” a father has with daughters.
How much older is Chris Tomlin than his wife?
Chris Tomlin is approximately 8 years older than Lauren Bricken. He was born on May 4, 1972; Lauren was born around 1980. He was 38 and she was 30 when they married in November 2010.
How old is Chris Tomlin?
Chris Tomlin was born on May 4, 1972. As of September 2026, he is 54 years old.
Was Chris Tomlin married before Lauren?
No. Lauren Bricken is his first and only wife. Tomlin married later in life — he was 38 at their wedding — but had not been previously married.
What is Chris Tomlin’s net worth?
As of 2025–2026, Chris Tomlin’s net worth is estimated at approximately $3 million. His income comes from album royalties, church music licensing, touring, and songwriting credits. He lives modestly and channels significant resources into the For Others nonprofit.
What is Chris Tomlin’s life story?
Chris Tomlin grew up in Grand Saline, Texas, in a Christian family. He learned guitar from his father, accepted Christ at 9, and was leading church worship by 13. He studied briefly at Tyler Junior College and Texas A&M before campus ministry redirected his life. Through a partnership with Louie Giglio and Passion Conferences, he became one of the most-recorded worship songwriters in the world. He married Lauren Bricken in 2010, has three daughters, co-founded the For Others nonprofit, and continues to release music and tour as of 2026.
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