Kristene DiMarco

Are you measuring your worship leading success by the room’s response? Kristene DiMarco reveals why this “scorecard” is keeping worship leaders trapped in comparison, burnout, and the fear of man.

She shares the life-changing shift that transforms how you approach your calling.

In this powerful conversation, Kristene opens up about:

• The dangerous trap of seeking validation from congregational response

• Why “excellence vs. perfection” changes everything for worship leaders

• How to break free from the comparison cycle that’s stealing your joy

• The moment she realized worship leaders are “more than just worship leaders”

• Practical ways to lead from love instead of fear of man

• Why your unique message matters more than copying other leaders

“You have to find the message that God has put inside of you… You’re more than just a worship leader. You’re a message from God.”

No matter your worship leading capacity, this episode will help you redefine success, find your unique voice, and lead worship from a place of rest instead of stress.

About Kristene DiMarco

When you first hear Kristene DiMarco‘s voice, something shifts in the room. There’s an authenticity that cuts through the noise of modern worship. Born in Niagara Falls, New York, on January 28, 1985, she discovered early that music wasn’t just her gift: it was her calling. Her journey from small-town beginnings to global worship stages tells a story of surrender and breakthrough.

Finding Her Voice at Bethel

In 2016, Kristene DiMarco officially joined the Bethel Music Collective, though her heart had been aligned with their mission long before. She didn’t arrive as a polished performer seeking spotlight. Instead, she came carrying songs born from real encounters with God. Her approach to worship leading reflects something deeper than musical excellence. It’s about creating space for authentic connection with The Lord.

The Bethel community recognized what many had already experienced in her leading. Kristene DiMarco brings a unique blend of vulnerability and strength to worship. Her songs don’t just fill silence; they invite people into conversation with heaven.

Songs That Reshape Hearts

“It Is Well” became more than just another worship song when Kristene DiMarco reimagined this timeless hymn. Featured on Bethel Music’s “You Make Me Brave” album in 2014, her fresh perspective breathed new life into familiar words. Christian radio stations across America embraced the song, but its real impact happened in churches worldwide. People found healing in her honest, unhurried delivery of hope.

“Take Courage” emerged from Kristene DiMarco’s own journey through fear and uncertainty. The song appears on multiple Bethel Music projects, including “Starlight” (2017) and “Bethel Music En Español” (2019) as “Ten Fe Corazón.” When she sings these words, you sense she’s walked through the very battles she’s addressing.

The Depth of Recent Work

Kristene DiMarco’s latest EP “Memorandum,” released in October 2025, represents her most vulnerable work yet. The five-track project centers on themes of humility and surrender, inviting listeners into deeper intimacy with God. She doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable process of letting go. Instead, the EP explores what it means to trust completely in God’s kindness.

“Stay In The River,” the focus track, uses water as a metaphor for God’s continual presence, love, & softener of our hearts. Kristene DiMarco encourages listeners to remain in this flow rather than fighting against it. The song speaks to anyone who struggles with control and fear. Her message is clear: surrender isn’t something to fear but a place of transformation and trust.

“Death Is Hollow,” released in 2024, emerged from walking through heartbreak with a dear friend in 2019. The live and acoustic version captures raw emotion without losing hope. Kristene DiMarco has mastered the art of holding both grief and joy simultaneously. Her music creates permission for others to do the same.

A Legacy of Albums

Before joining Bethel Music, Kristene DiMarco had already established herself as a thoughtful songwriter. “Those Who Dream” (2008) introduced her unique voice to the worship community. “Safe Place” (2012) and “Mighty” (2015) continued building her reputation for honest, scripture-soaked songs.

“Where His Light Was” (2017) showcased her growth as both writer and worship leader. Each album reveals another layer of her journey with God. Kristene DiMarco doesn’t write from theory; she writes from experience.

The DiMarco Family

San Diego, California, provides the backdrop for Kristene DiMarco’s life away from touring and recording. She shares this coastal home with her husband Jordan and their two children, Lorelai Praise and Nicodemus León. Family life grounds her music in real-world experiences of love, challenge, and growth.

Jordan DiMarco serves in ministry alongside his wife, understanding the unique demands of their calling. Their children are growing up in a home where worship isn’t performance; it’s lifestyle. Kristene DiMarco often speaks about how motherhood has deepened her understanding of God’s heart.

Kristene’s Passion for the Next Generation

Mentoring young creatives has become central to Kristene DiMarco’s mission. She recognizes the struggles facing emerging worship leaders and songwriters. Her approach to mentorship mirrors her worship style: authentic, patient, and focused on heart transformation over technique.

She regularly encourages young artists to find their unique voice rather than copying others. Kristene DiMarco understands that the worship community needs diverse expressions of God’s heart. Her investment in future leaders ensures that authentic worship will continue beyond her own ministry.

The Ongoing Journey

Today, Kristene DiMarco continues writing, leading, and inspiring from her base in San Diego. Her recent projects show an artist unafraid to explore deeper waters of faith and experience. She’s not chasing trends or trying to recreate past successes.

Instead, Kristene DiMarco remains committed to the same calling that first drew her to music; creating space for people to encounter God authentically. Her influence extends far beyond album sales or streaming numbers. She’s helping reshape how we approach worship in the modern church.

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Mentioned in the Episode

Kristene DiMarco’s New Release 

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