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Don Moen
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Key Information
Donald James "Don" Moen (born June 29, 1950) is an American singer, songwriter, pastor, and producer of Christian worship music. A pioneer of the modern worship music movement, he served as a creative director and president of Integrity Music and executive producer for the label's Hosanna! Music series of albums.[1]
During his tenure at Integrity, he produced 11 volumes of the series and released his own solo albums, including Give Thanks (1986), which was certified Gold by the RIAA.[2] As a songwriter, he is best known for worship standards such as "God Will Make a Way" and "Thank You, Lord." His work has received numerous accolades, including a Dove Award.
Early life and education
[edit]Donald James Moen was born in Minneapolis and grew up in Two Harbors, Minnesota, where he graduated from high school in 1968.[3] He attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a Christian liberal arts college, where he studied music.[1]
His musical training was initially classical, with a focus on the violin. However, his direction changed after an encounter with the evangelist Terry Law, which led him to join Law's music ministry group, Living Sound.[3]
Music career
[edit]From 1973, Moen traveled for ten years with Terry Law Ministries as a musician with the worship group Living Sound.[1] The group ministered primarily behind the Iron Curtain in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.
In 1984, Moen was hired by Michael Coleman to work for his new music label, Integrity Music, initially as a worship leader and later in an executive capacity. He became a central figure in the production of the Hosanna! Music series of praise and worship albums, which became one of the most successful and influential series in contemporary Christian music.[4] He served as creative director and president of Integrity Music, president of Integrity Label Group, and executive producer of Integrity Music albums for over 20 years. In this role, he helped develop the careers of prominent worship artists such as Paul Baloche, Ron Kenoly, and Darlene Zschech.[5]
Solo recording career
[edit]While producing for the Hosanna! Music series, Moen also began releasing his own albums. His debut album, Give Thanks (1986), became a bestseller for the label and was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995.[2] His first album released under his own name, Worship with Don Moen, came out in 1992. His music has achieved global sales of over five million units.[4]
One of his best-known songs, "God Will Make a Way," was written in 1989 for his sister-in-law and her husband after their nine-year-old son was killed in a car accident. The song, written to offer them hope, has since become a globally recognized worship anthem.[6]
Moen has recorded albums globally, including The Mercy Seat at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in 1999 and Heal Our Land at Yoido Park in South Korea. His album I Will Sing (2000) was recorded live at the Christian Broadcasting Network studios in Virginia Beach.
Post-Integrity career
[edit]In December 2007, Moen left Integrity Media to establish his own venture, The Don Moen Company.[7] Through his company, he continues to produce music and launched a radio show, Don Moen & Friends, in 2009.
He continues to tour extensively, holding worship concerts and workshops in countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. In 2017, he released a memoir, God Will Make a Way: Discovering His Hope in Your Story.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Don Moen has been married to Laura Moen (née Moerbe) since 19 May 1973. They have five children and several grandchildren.[9] He and his family reside in Nashville, Tennessee.
Discography
[edit]A selection of his most notable albums includes:
| Title | Album details | Certifications |
|---|---|---|
| Give Thanks |
|
RIAA Gold (1995) |
| Steadfast Love |
|
|
| Bless the Lord |
|
|
| Worship with Don Moen |
|
|
| God with Us |
|
|
| I Will Sing |
|
|
| God Will Make a Way: The Best of Don Moen |
|
|
| Thank You Lord |
|
|
| Hiding Place |
|
|
| I Believe There Is More |
|
|
| Uncharted Territory |
|
Awards and nominations
[edit]Don Moen has received multiple awards and nominations from the GMA Dove Awards.
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | GMA Dove Awards | Song of the Year | "God Will Make a Way" | Won | [10] |
| Children's Musical Album of the Year | I'm a Helper | Nominated | [10] | ||
| 1993 | Inspirational Album of the Year | Worship with Don Moen | Nominated | [11] | |
| 1994 | Musical Album of the Year | God with Us | Won | [12] | |
| 1995 | Musical Album of the Year | Mighty Cross | Nominated | [13] | |
| 1998 | Musical of the Year | Emmanuel Has Come | Nominated | [14] | |
| 1999 | Musical of the Year | God for Us | Won | [15] | |
| 2001 | Spanish Language Album of the Year | En Tu Presencia | Nominated | [16] | |
| 2003 | Country Recorded Song of the Year | "God Is Good All the Time" (as songwriter) | Nominated | [17] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Hendrickson Publishers. p. 605-606. ISBN 978-1-56563-679-8.
- ^ a b "American album certifications – Don Moen – Give Thanks". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ a b "Don Moen: The Music of Ministry". Christianity Today. November 1, 2004. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ a b Swartzendruber, Jay (February 2007). "Industrybeat: Moen of Many Hats". CCM Magazine. 29 (8): 22. ISSN 1524-7848.
- ^ "Don Moen On Worship in Action, Authenticity, & Keeping It Simple". davidsantistevan.com. August 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
- ^ "Legendary Songwriter Don Moen Reveals Heartbreaking Story Behind 'God Will Make a Way'". The Christian Post. October 15, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
- ^ "Moen's Move: Don Moen to leave Integrity Media to form new companies". Cross Rhythms. August 1, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
- ^ Moen, Don (2018). God Will Make a Way: Discovering His Hope in Your Story. Emanate Books.
- ^ Sseruyigo, Aaron (May 20, 2022). "'Eternally grateful': Don Moen celebrates 49 years in marriage". UG Christian News. Archived from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ a b "1992 – 23rd Annual GMA Dove Awards". Dove Awards. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ "1993 – 24th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Dove Awards. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ "1994 – 25th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Dove Awards. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ "1995 – 26th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Dove Awards. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ "1998 – 29th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Dove Awards. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ "1999 – 30th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Dove Awards. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ "2001 – 32nd Annual GMA Dove Awards". Dove Awards. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ "2003 – 34th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Dove Awards. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
Don Moen
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Donald James Moen was born on June 29, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in Two Harbors, a small town near Duluth, in a devout Christian family where music played a central role. From an early age, Moen developed his musical talents, beginning with the violin in second grade after being inspired by violinist Dave Rubinoff's performance of "The Hot Canary" at his school. He also studied piano, guitar, and trombone, and participated in choirs.[3][4] Moen graduated from high school in Two Harbors in 1968. He briefly pursued other work, including as a lumberjack in Minnesota, before recommitting to music. In the early 1970s, Moen attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on an orchestra scholarship, where he continued his music studies. During his time at the university, he began touring internationally with the musical group Living Sound and evangelist Terry Law.[4][5]Music career
Solo recording career
Don Moen's solo recording career began in 1984 when he joined Integrity Music as a worship leader and producer, initially contributing to the Hosanna! Music series before transitioning to his own artist releases. His first album as a worship leader for the Hosanna! Music series, Give Thanks (1986), marked a pivotal moment, featuring live worship recordings that became a cornerstone of contemporary Christian music. The album achieved gold certification from the RIAA in 1995 and remains one of Integrity's best-selling titles, nearing platinum status.[6][7] Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Moen released a series of solo albums under the Integrity label, emphasizing heartfelt worship anthems, piano-driven arrangements, and congregational sing-alongs. Notable releases include Steadfast Love (1988), Bless the Lord (1989), Eternal God (1990), Worship with Don Moen (1992)—his first album billed solely under his name—and God with Us (1993). These projects often captured live sessions from church settings, blending original songs like "God Will Make a Way" with timeless hymns, and helped establish Moen's signature style of accessible, Spirit-led praise. By the early 2000s, albums such as Thank You Lord (2004) and Hiding Place (2006) continued this trajectory, incorporating global influences from his international tours.[7][5] During his over two-decade tenure at Integrity Music, where he also served as president, Moen's solo output exceeded 20 albums, contributing significantly to the label's growth and the broader worship music genre. His recordings amassed global sales surpassing five million units, influencing countless worship leaders and shaping modern church music practices. This period solidified Moen's reputation as a pioneering figure in live worship production, with albums like I Believe There Is More (2008) capping his Integrity era before his departure in 2008 to pursue independent endeavors.[6][7]Post-Integrity career
In late 2007, Don Moen stepped down from his executive roles at Integrity Music, where he had served as president and creative director for over two decades, to pursue a renewed focus on his personal ministry of worship leading and music production.[8] He established The Don Moen Company in 2008 as an independent venture dedicated to producing worship resources, acquiring Christian websites such as WorshipMusic.com and WorshipTeam.com to support global worship communities, and later purchasing MediaComplete, the developer of the church presentation software MediaShout.[9][10] Through The Don Moen Company and his own label, Don Moen Records, Moen continued his recording career, releasing albums that emphasized contemporary worship and hymns. Notable post-Integrity projects include Uncharted Territory (2011), featuring original songs and collaborations; Hymnbook (2012), a collection of classic hymns; Hymns of Hope (2014), which revisited traditional anthems with modern arrangements; Worship Again with Don Moen (2024), a live recording capturing global worship sessions; and REPLAY (2025, collaboration with Reyer) and Shout to the Lord: 80s & 90s Praise and Worship, Vol. 2 (2025), reimagining classic worship songs.[11][12] These releases have sustained his influence in Christian music, with Moen maintaining an active touring schedule to lead worship events and train worship leaders internationally, reaching audiences in over 100 countries.[3] In 2014, Moen founded Worship in Action, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization aimed at demonstrating God's love through practical acts of service beyond musical worship.[13] The ministry partners with initiatives like CBN's Operation Blessing to support humanitarian efforts, including the expansion of The Royal Seed Home orphanage in Ghana by constructing new dormitories and the "Don Moen and Friends School for Excellence" to provide shelter and education for children in need.[14][15] As founder and overseer, Moen integrates his worship leading with these outreach projects, hosting events that combine music, training, and community aid to foster "worship evangelism."[16] This phase of his career has emphasized mentorship and global impact, with Moen also serving as a radio host and speaker to equip church leaders.[17]Personal life
Moen has been married to Laura Moen (née Moerbe) since May 19, 1973.[18] The couple faced 12 years of infertility, including medical tests and miscarriages, before welcoming five children over the next six years.[19] They now have 15 grandchildren.[20] Moen and his family reside in Nashville, Tennessee.[2]Discography
Live albums
{| class="wikitable"| ! Year !! Album !! Label |
|---|
| 1992 |
| - |
| 1994 |
| - |
| 1995 |
| - |
| 1996 |
| - |
| 1998 |
| - |
| 2000 |
| - |
| 2000 |
| - |
| 2004 |
| - |
| 2005 |
| } |
Compilations
{| class="wikitable"| ! Year !! Album !! Label |
|---|
| 1996 |
| - |
| 2003 |
| - |
| 2011 |
| - |
| 2013 |
| - |
| 2015 |
| } |
Recent releases and EPs (2010s–2020s)
{| class="wikitable"| ! Year !! Album !! Label |
|---|
| 2011 |
| - |
| 2012 |
| - |
| 2013 |
| - |
| 2014 |
| - |
| 2016 |
| - |
| 2017 |
| - |
| 2018 |
| - |
| 2020 |
| - |
| 2021 |
| - |
| 2022 |
| - |
| 2023 |
| - |
| 2024 |
| - |
| 2024 |
| - |
| 2025 |
| } |
Awards and nominations
Don Moen has received multiple awards and nominations for his contributions to contemporary Christian music.Awards
- 1994: GMA Dove Award for Musical of the Year, for God With Us[3]
- 2002: Ray DeVries Church Ministry Award[3]
- 2015: Lifetime Global Achievement Award, Oral Roberts University[22]
- 2023: Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame[3]