Carroll Roberson

The Voice of Faithful Devotion in Song and Scripture

Carroll Roberson’s life story reads like a tapestry woven with faith, resilience, and purpose. Born and raised in rural Mississippi, just a few miles from Ripley, his upbringing was marked by simplicity and hardship. His father, Marshall, could neither read nor write, and his mother, Lois, worked tirelessly for the family with very little pay. These humble beginnings planted the seeds of gratitude and perseverance in Carroll and his brother, Stan. Guitar lessons from his father and a home built on character and faith shaped the foundation of his future calling.

From Funeral Song to Gospel Stardom

Roberson’s journey into full-time evangelism began almost unexpectedly at a funeral in 1985. A local funeral home owner, Willie McBride, heard Carroll sing and instantly recognized his natural gift. McBride funded Roberson’s first professional album, taking a leap of faith when Nashville’s music industry wouldn’t. That gamble paid off.

Carroll’s version of “This Ole House” soared into the top 40 within two weeks, paving the way for a contract with the Eddie Crook Company. The late 1980s and 1990s saw a string of top 10 gospel hits and two number-one songs: “Wilt Thou Be Made Whole” and “Just Go By.”

Carroll started his own record label in 1996, and has enjoyed several more #1 songs like, Good Mornin’ Lord, The Way We Should Live, Jesus Says Hello, Jesus Put my Life Together, and many other top ten songs.

A Defining Encounter and a New Direction

Though Carroll believed in Christ from childhood, it wasn’t until 1983, at the age of 28, that he fully surrendered to Him.

“At the age of twenty-eight, being convicted by the Holy Spirit, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ,” Carroll recounts.

This life-altering decision was soon followed by a cancer diagnosis, threatening his ability to sing. Shortly after his conversion to Christ, he had a cancerous tumor removed from his throat… but the gracious Lord had other plans. Not only did Carroll recover, but this trial also became a divine turning point. Within two years, he felt the unmistakable call to ministry.

A Musical Signature Beyond Labels

While Nashville tried to define him within traditional genres, Carroll Roberson’s sound remained uniquely his own. Raised on the music of Marty Robbins, Glen Campbell, and Elvis, Carroll infused his gospel compositions with familiar country and bluegrass rhythms. “Carroll’s music is not Southern Gospel, or country, or bluegrass, or contemporary; it is just simply Carroll Roberson,” noted one DJ. Over the decades, he has penned over 300 songs and recorded more than 60 gospel albums, including the recent single “A Few Good People Left.” His newest album “A Man & Jesus” will be released this month.

Preacher First, Musician Always

Despite his fame as a singer and songwriter, Carroll never lost sight of his primary calling: preaching the Word of God. He notes, “Whatever our gift is, preaching or singing, we should make sure that our motive is pure and never lose our personal, God-given identity.” Carroll’s preaching is direct and rooted in Biblical authenticity.

“I believe in presenting the Bible in its original context. I believe in living out the Christian faith,” he says. His sermons reject modern compromise and emphasize living a life that reflects Christ to the world.

Israel: A Spiritual Awakening

One of the most transformative chapters in Roberson’s ministry began in 1991, when he led his first tour to Israel. “To be on the Sea of Galilee and grasping that God in Heaven has called you to be one of his servants, is a most exciting, humbling experience,” he reflects. Since then, Carroll and his wife, Donna, have guided more than thirty-five pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Their tours, branded as Jesus Isreal Tours, have led thousands to a deeper understanding of the Jewish roots of Christianity.

Roberson also emphasizes, “Gentile Christians do not have to get caught up in Jewish traditions, but without a Jewish context it is impossible to have a true interpretation of the sacred scriptures.” His long-time study of Hebrew and the Biblical origins of Christianity has enriched his preaching and teaching, making his commentaries widely appreciated among believers seeking depth and authenticity.

From Stage to Screen: Reaching the World

Recognizing the limits of the traditional gospel music circuit, Carroll expanded his outreach through television and digital platforms. His weekly show, “This is Carroll Roberson” aired on many TV markets for years, and now he is reaching a new audience through his YouTube Channel, with over 140,000 subscribers and millions of viewers from across the US and around the world. Carroll’s TV producer David Webb decided years ago that Carroll’s songs would appeal to a larger audience being filmed with the background of beautiful outdoor scenery like the Grand Teton Mountains, Monument Valley, Arizona, Colorado, with heartfelt messages in song and Word. Carroll continues to innovate, inspire, and evangelize.

A Ministry Without Boundaries

Carroll Roberson Ministries remains a debt-free, evangelistic association dedicated to spreading the Gospel without seeking grandeur. The organization hosts the annual Jesus Isreal Conference in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, drawing attendees from far and wide. Though road dates are limited, Carroll’s ministry impacts countless lives in the U.S., Europe, India, Africa, and beyond.

The simplicity of his mission belies its profound reach. From churches using his sermons in distant lands to individuals discovering his music online, the ministry’s fruit is evident. Roberson declares, “Seeing the Holy Spirit touch so many people through this ministry is the greatest of all awards.”

Looking Ahead with Faith

Now celebrating 40 years in full-time evangelism, Carroll Roberson remains steadfast in his calling. The accolades may be many, but his focus is unchanged: “to serve God with integrity and passion”.

“God doesn’t need all of us trying to do the same thing. His kingdom is so vast that there is room for all of us!” Carroll says.

Carroll continues to record new songs and film Bible devotions for His YouTube channel. Social media has opened new doors for him to share Christ in Word and song to countless people. Carroll even tries to personally answer most of the messages that His ministry is getting, many times seeing profound spiritual results. One lady writes from Brazil, “It sounds too simple to call you Bro. Carroll, your ministry of Bible messages and music have really made a difference in my life and my family.” Suzanne Barry, Brazil, South America

Carroll Roberson exemplifies what it means to walk in faith. Whether through a powerful sermon or a simple melody, his message remains clear and unchanged: “Jesus Christ is Lord, and that truth will always be worth singing about”.