In the Church, We All Fam! Christian Public Figures You Didn't Know Were Related

Aaris Grant
May 9
2 min read

Updated: May 13

We're all brothers and sisters in Christ, but some of your Gospel faves are cousins too! Here are 10 Christian Public Figures who are family both in the spirit and the flesh.

Darrel Walls, Rhea Walls, Ahjah Walls, and Alic Walls at the 49th annual Dove awards in Lipscomb University in Nashville Tennessee on October 16, 2018. — *Photo by* ***HeadlinePhotos / Depositphotos***

Donnie McClurkin & John P. Kee

Donnie McClurkin and John P Kee have a few things in common. Not only have they given us some of the greatest songs in gospel music history, but they're family as well!

Christian public figures Donnie McClurkin and John P Kee are cousins — *Photos by* ***Jean Nelson & BMI Getty***

Donnie McClurkin posted to Facebook in 2010 after learning that he and John P. Kee are cousins.

The dynamic vocalist claimed they are related through his dad's sister Erma, and said he was amazed and excited.

Jonathan McReynolds & The Walls Group

Strong vocals run in their bloodline! Jonathan McReynolds' grandmother was raised by the Walls Family in Pearland, Houston, Texas, making him a distant cousin of Walls Group members Alic, Ahjah, Darrel, and Rhea.

Gospel Artists the walls group and jonathan mcreynolds at the stellar awards — *Photo by* ***Prince Williams / ATL Pics***

Vickie Wianans & Tim Bowman Jr.

The legendary Vickie Wianans, whose maiden name is Vivianne Bowman, is the aunt of vocal powerhouse Tim Bowman Jr. and the sister of smooth jazz guitarist Tim Bowman Sr.

performs during The Women of Praise - Mother's Day Concert at BankUnited Center on May 8, 2016 in Coral Gables, Florida. Featuring: Tim Bowman Jr., Vicky Winans, Omar Lewis Where: Coral Gables, Florida, United States When: 08 May 2016 — *Photo by* ***WENN / Alamy***

J. Moss & The Clark Sisters

Feb 26, 1985 - Los Angeles, California, USA - THE CLARK SISTERS - ELBERNITA 'TWINKIE' CLARK, JACKY CLARK CHISHOLM, DORINDA CLARK COLE, KAREN CLARK SHEARD, and DENISE CLARK BRADFORD at the 1985 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California — *Photo by* ***Bernard Fallon/ ZUMAPRESS***

This family has performed some of the most incredible vocal runs and riffs in music history. J. Moss is the nephew of renowned choir director Mattie Moss Clark, making him a cousin of her daughters, Twinkie, Jackie, Denise, Dorinda, and Karen.

Jan. 23, 2005 - Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA, USA - K41214VG.BET 2005 CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL HELD AT THE ORPHEUM THEATRE IN LOS ANGELES .1-22-2005

Moss's production company, PAJAM, has produced many of his cousin Karen Clark Sheard's hits. His vocals can be heard on many of the hit tracks from her 2nd Chance Album and songs like Praise Offering by her daughter Kierra Sheard.

I Was Today Years Old! Christian Public Figures Gino Jennings & Jamal Bryant are Cousins

They may have theological differences, but they're still family! Gino Jennings has mentioned from the pulpit that pastor and activist Dr. Jamal Bryant is his cousin.