Chris Bray is a full time travelling worship leader and speaker. Having received multiple Gospel Music Association Covenant awards and numerous top 10 and #1 hit songs on Christian radio in Canada, his ministry has spanned North America from headlining the National March for Life rally on Parliament Hill for 25,000 people, the Air Canada Centre, working with great figures such as Peter Furler, Matt Maher, Audrey Assad, Jonny Diaz, Matt Fradd, Jackie Francois, Leah Darrow, Steve Ray, Ralph Martin, Chris Padgett, Fr. Dave Pivonka, involvement in Life Teen, World Youth Day, Steubenville Toronto, NCYC, NCCYM, presenting to tens of thousands each year at hundreds of conferences, retreats, schools and churches.
Chris Bray is a husband and father of four children. Growing up in a small country town and being born into a devout Catholic family in southwestern Ontario, Canada, Chris' faith was initially out of obedience and discipline. After a profound encounter with Christ at a Charismatic service at his home church as an adolescent, his immersion and reversion to the faith deepened, which is the passion behind his ministry, not only aiming to unite Christians of various denominations as one Body in Christ, but also to reach the unchurched and revive the lapsed in faith.
His interest in music at a young age found him participating in a local Christian worship band. However, Chris was immersed into ministry in a more professional capacity when he was hired to be the music director for Life Teen in London, Ontario, a position which he held for seven years. During this time his involvement in various conferences and retreats increased as well as his songwriting.
This led to his first national release titled, "The Worship Album" (2009) which garnered him two #1 hit songs, "Called" and "Finally Let Go" on the More Radio Canadian Christian radio chart, as well as winning, "New Artist of the Year" at the Gospel Music Association Covenant Awards.
With the success of his first major release, Chris went on to release two additional full length studio albums. In 2011 Chris released "Let Hope Arise" which won "Modern Worship Album of the Year" and his song, "Pursue Me" (written by Chris Bray and Derrick Drover, featuring a duet with Curb Record's Marie Miller) was awarded "Inspirational Song of the Year" at the GMA Covenant Awards. This was followed up with his third studio release in 2013 titled, "Beloved Child of God" achieving numerous top 10 More Radio Canadian Christian radio hits and several GMA Covenant award nominations.
Chris' Gospel Music Association Covenant Awards includes: “Collaboration of the Year” for Scott Towaij – Join Together (2012), “Modern Worship Album of the Year” for Let Hope Arise (2011), “Inspirational Song of the Year” for Pursue Me (2011) and “New Artist of the Year” (2009), and he has received over 9 nominations.
Now as a full time travelling worship artist and speaker, his aggressive tour schedule illustrates the demand for his musical efforts spanning North America, from headlining the National March for Life rally on Parliament Hill for 25,000 people, the Air Canada Centre in Toronto for a post Raptors game Gospel concert, working with great figures such as Peter Furler, Matt Maher, Audrey Assad, Jonny Diaz, Matt Fradd, Jackie Francois, Leah Darrow, Steve Ray, Ralph Martin, Chris Padgett, Fr. Dave Pivonka, involvement in Life Teen, World Youth Day, Steubenville Toronto, NCYC, NCCYM, and hundreds of conferences, retreats, schools and churches.
Chris' latest live worship project, "The Praises of His People" is a collection of well known contemporary praise and worship songs and peaked at #23 on the iTunes Inspirational Albums chart. Chris explains, "For several years I’ve wanted to create a project that is functional, that enables people to be able to enter into worship with God. The goal of this record was to create an experience that Christ followers could worship along with in their car on their way to work or throughout their day and feel like they are part of a larger church, together worshipping our Creator".
His music is available at all major digital download sites and at over 2000 retail stores in the United States. The new album, "The Praises of His People" is available now on all digital media formats and in retail stores in Canada on May 26th.
PRESENTATION TOPICS:
"Identity Crisis" - Each of us has a longing and desire for something more, but many times we try and fill this void with temporary things, when ultimately the only thing that satisfies us is God.
"Evangelization Essentials" - Many Catholics are terrible at sharing the faith. If we've truly had a profound encounter with Christ, evangelization becomes quite simple, along with some practical tips to live our faith and share it with others.
"The New Passover" - Understanding the biblical significance of the Eucharist, how the Old Testament prepared us for it, and the New Testament fulfillment.
"Defending the Faith / Apologetics" - The world is flooded with lies and misconceptions about the Catholic Church. Through real life encounters, Chris describes how to present logical and coherent answers to the common arguments against the Catholic faith.
"Praise and Worship Concert" - Chris uses original and well known praise songs, coupled with inspiring testimonies to lead people to encounter Christ through prayer and worship.
