December 28, 1958

Twila Paris was born in Fort Worth, Texas—one of four children of Oren Paris II, the founder of Youth With A Mission ministries and Ecclesia College in Springdale (Washington County), and Rachel Inez Paris, a writer of Christian songs. Paris was raised in Elm Springs (Washington County) and later lived in Fayetteville (Washington County). A prolific contemporary Christian singer, songwriter, pianist, and author, she has won many Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards and American Songwriter Awards and has hundreds of published and recorded songs to her credit.