William McDowell: the Orlando worship leader behind “I Give Myself Away”

His songs are not built for quick radio play. William McDowell’s recordings often run long, with slow builds and extended periods of quiet worship. His 2009 song “I Give Myself Away” became one of the defining worship songs of its time, sung in churches across the United States, Africa and the Caribbean.

Background and I Give Myself Away

William McDowell grew up in Orlando, Florida. He served as a worship leader and music director in churches before launching his recording career. His 2009 album As We Worship Live was recorded live in a church setting. It reached the top of the Billboard gospel albums chart, a strong result for a debut. “I Give Myself Away” is a song of surrender, in which the worshipper offers their whole life to God. Its gentle melody and repetition made it suitable for long worship sessions, and it became widely used at altar calls.

Later albums and his style

McDowell followed with albums including Arise and Withholding Nothing. His music continued the pattern of extended, live worship recordings. McDowell later founded Deliverance Group, a church in Orlando, where he serves as pastor. He has spoken about worship as a lifestyle as well as a musical style. McDowell’s recordings blend gospel with contemporary worship. They focus on atmosphere and congregational participation rather than vocal display, which makes them easy for churches to adopt.

African churches and the worship movement

“I Give Myself Away” became a staple in Ghanaian and Nigerian churches, especially at prayer meetings, crusades and youth services. Many worship leaders cite McDowell as an influence on the long, reflective worship sessions now common in African churches. McDowell has received Stellar awards and Grammy nominations for his recordings. He is part of a wider shift in gospel music towards extended worship, alongside artists such as Tasha Cobbs and Travis Greene.

Prayer and collaborations

McDowell often leads extended periods of prayer between songs during live recordings, treating the album as a worship service rather than a concert. Many listeners use his recordings during personal prayer times. He has worked with other worship leaders and gospel artists, appearing at conferences and worship events across the United States. William McDowell’s songs ask congregations to slow down. In churches used to fast praise, that invitation to stillness has proved surprisingly powerful.