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| Christy Nockels | |
|---|---|
| Name | Christy Nockels |
| Birth name | Christina Lynn Rhodes |
| Birth date | 18 May 1973 |
| Origin | Wichita Falls, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian music, worship music |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, worship leader, author |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Rocketown Records, Passion, Sixsteps |
| Associated acts | Watermark, Nathan Nockels |
Christy Nockels is an American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter, and worship leader known for her work with the duo Watermark and for solo projects on labels such as Rocketown Records and Passion. She has been influential in modern evangelical worship through recordings, conferences, and ministry partnerships, collaborating with multiple artists and ministries across the United States and internationally.
Christy Nockels was born Christina Lynn Rhodes in Wichita Falls, Texas and raised in a family rooted in church music and hymnody, attending congregations in Texas and neighboring states such as Oklahoma and Kansas. Her formative years included participation in youth choirs, touring with regional church ensembles, and studies at local institutions before moving to Oklahoma City, where she connected with musicians and ministries associated with venues and organizations like Belmont University-affiliated artists and peers from schools such as Southeastern University and Baylor University. Early influences included exposure to artists linked with Christian Songs and worship movements in cities like Nashville, Tennessee and Houston, Texas.
Nockels' recording career began in the mid-1990s when she and her husband, musician and producer Nathan Nockels, formed the contemporary Christian duo Watermark. The pair recorded for labels connected to ministries including Rocketown Records, Sparrow Records, and independent imprints tied to figures such as Michael W. Smith and Chris Tomlin. Watermark released albums that circulated in circles associated with conferences like Passion Conferences, Hillsong Conference, and regional events organized by churches such as Saddleback Church and Willow Creek Community Church. The duo collaborated with songwriters and producers who had worked with artists like Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, TobyMac, and Caedmon's Call, and appeared on compilation projects alongside musicians from Elevation Worship, Bethel Music, and MercyMe.
Following Watermark's hiatus, Christy Nockels launched a solo career and signed with Rocketown Records, a label founded by Michael W. Smith and associated with artists such as Chris Tomlin, Third Day, and Jars of Clay. Her solo releases combined studio production practices from Nashville-based producers and session players who had contributed to projects by Amy Grant, Selah, Point of Grace, and Rebecca St. James. Singles from this era received airplay on stations affiliated with networks like K-LOVE, Family Life Radio, and ministries connected to Focus on the Family. She toured in venues and festivals that also featured acts like Casting Crowns, Santana-adjacent Christian collaborations, and crossover performers linked to CMA events.
Nockels became increasingly involved with Passion Ministries and the community around the Passion Conferences led by Louie Giglio, collaborating with worship leaders and artists including Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Phil Wickham, David Crowder, and bands from sixstepsrecords and Passion Music Group. She served as a primary worship leader for gatherings at large venues and universities such as Auburn University, University of Georgia, and campuses that hosted Passion events, contributing songs to collective projects alongside singers affiliated with Hillsong United, Jesus Culture, and Rend Collective. Her ministry included workshops, songwriting sessions, and leadership training that intersected with ministries like The Gospel Coalition-related conferences and networks involving pastors from Saddleback Church and The Church of the Resurrection.
Nockels' musical style blends contemporary worship songwriting with folk, pop, and acoustic elements found in the work of artists and songwriters such as Rich Mullins, Keith Green, Clifford "Cliff" Young-era folk, and modern worship figures like Darlene Zschech, Martin Smith, and Paul Baloche. Her vocal delivery and lyrical themes show kinship with performers including Bebo Norman, Sara Groves, Nichole Nordeman, and Christina Aguilera-era pop phrasing, while arrangements draw on session musicians who have played for Vince Gill, Larry Norman, and producers connected to T-Bone Burnett-style acoustics. Songcraft emphasizes congregational singability similar to material from Bethel Music, Gateway Worship, and historic hymnwriters such as Isaac Watts.
Christy Nockels is married to producer and musician Nathan Nockels; the couple has resided in the Nashville, Tennessee area and participated in community life connected to churches like The Orchard, Christ Presbyterian Church, and regional ministries in Tennessee and Georgia. They have been involved in advocacy and charitable initiatives related to global missions, partnering with organizations such as World Vision, Compassion International, and relief efforts coordinated by networks including Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child. Nockels has supported causes linked to women's ministries, pastoral care groups, and nonprofits that work with refugees and disaster relief in regions associated with Syria, Haiti, and parts of Africa.
Throughout her career, Nockels has been recognized within Christian music circles with nominations and honors from organizations and events including the GMA Dove Awards, industry showcases at the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and acknowledgments from media outlets like Billboard (magazine)'s Christian charts and CCM Magazine. Her contributions to worship music have been cited in resources and compilations produced by entities such as Integrity Music, Essential Records, and worship curators affiliated with NewSong and Gateway Church, and she has been featured in interviews with broadcasters connected to NPR and faith networks like TBN.
Category:American contemporary Christian singers Category:Living people Category:1973 births