Bishop William Murphy III facts for kids

William Henry Murphy III (born August 2, 1973) is an American gospel singer, songwriter, and pastor. He is also a bishop. He started his music journey in 2005. His first album, All Day, was released that year. It appeared on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart.

His second album, The Sound, came out in 2007. It also made it onto the Top Gospel Albums chart. In 2011, he released We Are One. This album was on both the Top Gospel Albums chart and the Heatseekers Albums chart. His fourth album, God Chaser, was released in 2013. It reached the Gospel Albums chart and the Billboard 200. William Murphy is the founder and lead pastor of the dReam Center Church of Atlanta.

Early Life and Calling

William Murphy was born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 2, 1973. His father and grandfather are both pastors and bishops. From a young age, William felt a special calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He realized this while attending Ford High School in Detroit. He was a member of the school's gospel choir. At 23, he became an Elder under his father, Bishop William Murphy, J.R.

In 2024, Murphy earned his Masters of Divinity degree. He studied at Virginia Union University. He is also a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Music Career and Ministry

Murphy's music career began with a song called Praise Is What I Do. He wrote it for his father's church choir. A leader named Apostle H. D. Wilson asked Murphy to sing at his church. Murphy agreed, and soon after, his song was chosen for a recording.

The song was released in August 2000. It was part of Shekinah Glory's first album. This album reached the top ten on Billboard's top gospel albums chart.

In 2001, Murphy, his wife Danielle, and their two children moved to Atlanta. There, Murphy became the worship minister at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. He traveled, singing and preaching. It was at New Birth that he recorded his first album, All Day. This album was first released on its own in 2005. After he signed with Epic Records under Sony Music, it was re-released. It reached number 22 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart.

In 2006, Murphy started the dReam Center Church of Atlanta. The first service was on January 15, 2006. About 350 people attended. Pastor Tasha Cobbs-Leonard was one of the first members. She became an elder and worship minister there for 14 years. During her time, she became a famous gospel artist.

His second album, The Sound, was released on May 1, 2007. It reached number 23 on the Gospel Albums chart.

His third album, We Are One, was released on July 26, 2011. It peaked at number 16 on the Gospel Albums chart. It also appeared on the Heatseekers Albums chart at number 28.

His fourth album, God Chaser, came out on February 5, 2013. It reached number 90 on the Billboard 200. It also placed at number 3 on the Gospel Albums chart. God Chaser was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album.

Since God Chaser, he has released three more albums: Demonstrate (2016), Settle Here (2019), and Worship & Justice (2022). The live recording for Worship & Justice happened on December 4, 2021. This was the dReam Center's first large gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic. The album was also a response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Its goal was to "invite Jesus into the conversation."

In 2024, Bishop Murphy announced a partnership with Motown Gospel. They released a new album called Payback: The Retribution Record. It was released on July 4, 2025. Its first song, Double, was released on January 10, 2025. Payback was recorded at the dReam Center Church of Atlanta in November 2023.

Bishop Murphy is the presiding bishop of worship. He is also the executive secretary of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.

Albums

• All Day (2005)
• The Sound (2007)
• We Are One (2011)
• God Chaser (2013)
• Demonstrate (2016)
• Settle Here (2019)
• Worship & Justice (2022)
• Payback (2025)