Hezekiah Walker

Bishop Hezekiah Walker is a Grammy Award-winning gospel artist, pastor, and community leader whose influence spans decades in gospel music and ministry. Known as "the hip-hop pastor," Walker has introduced many young people to gospel and choir music, utilizing contemporary language and recording techniques to broaden his audience and worship community. Raised in the Fort Greene housing projects of Brooklyn, he overcame significant challenges to establish a successful ministry and career in gospel music. Walker attended Long Island University, majoring in sociology, and also studied at Hugee Theological Institute and the New York School of the Bible.

Walker formed his first gospel group, the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, in his twenties while serving as a Pentecostal minister. The choir released "I'll Make It" and "Oh Lord We Praise You" on the independent Sweet Rain label before Walker began a long-term association with Verity. "Focus on Glory" marked his first of many Top Ten Billboard gospel recordings with the label. A milestone in his career was the release of "Live in Toronto," which topped gospel charts and expanded his influence, followed by "Live in Atlanta at Morehouse College," earning him his first Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album by Choir or Chorus. Throughout his career, Walker has released numerous albums, including "Family Affair," "Souled Out," and "Azusa: The Next Generation." After his induction into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, Walker released an Azusa sequel for eOne.

With a discography spanning 15 albums, Walker's anthem "Every Praise" stands out as a defining contribution to gospel music, spending 102 weeks on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart and holding the No. 1 spot on the Gospel Airplay chart for 26 consecutive weeks. Billboard named "Every Praise" the Gospel Song of the Decade, underscoring its impact on the genre. Walker has also won two Dove Awards for "Every Praise" and "Better." He launched the gospel choir label HezHouse Entertainment, signing Vincent Bohanan & SOV and Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling as its first artists.

Walker is the founder and senior pastor of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Churches in Brooklyn, New York, and Bensalem, Pennsylvania. He was ordained a bishop in the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith and later became the presiding prelate of the Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ. Walker is also the founder and overseer of the Covenant Keepers International Fellowship, which provides spiritual guidance to pastors and churches in the United States and South Africa. He partnered with Pastor Frank Santora to start Every Tribe Church in Times Square, New York City.

In addition to his work in music and ministry, Walker established the Hezekiah Walker Community Development Corporation to support and revitalize the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. Initiatives include a 10-story, 236-unit affordable housing complex, reflecting his commitment to social impact. Walker was inducted into Phi Beta Sigma fraternity as an honorary member at their Conclave in Houston, Texas. Through his music, ministry, and advocacy for community transformation, Walker continues to influence gospel music and faith-based community development.