After nearly three decades of leadership that helped shape how churches around the world legally access and use worship music, Gary Christensen has announced his retirement from Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), effective October 30, 2026.
Christensen joined CCLI in 1998 following a 20-year career in banking and went on to play a pivotal role in strengthening the organization's global licensing framework. As President - and previously as Chief Intellectual Property Officer - he oversaw publisher relations, contract development, repertoire management, and royalty distribution, helping ensure that churches could legally reproduce song lyrics, print music, and stream worship services while songwriters and publishers received proper compensation.
Under his leadership, CCLI expanded its reach to serve more than 240,000 churches, schools, and organizations worldwide, representing the intellectual property rights of over 5,000 church music publishers and song owners. His work positioned CCLI as a critical bridge between worship creators and local congregations, supporting the infrastructure behind modern Christian worship.
Christensen was appointed President in 2023 after years leading CCLI's intellectual property strategy. As part of the transition plan, Nate Scott and Matt McCoy were named Co-Presidents of The CCLI Group of Companies effective January 1, 2026. Christensen will remain in an advisory role through October to support the leadership handoff.
CCLI operates as a division of SESAC Music Group.
