Brandon Lake, Forrest Frank, and CeCe Winans Lead Winners at the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards lit up Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on October 7, 2025, with an unforgettable night celebrating faith, artistry, and unity in Christian and Gospel music. Hosted by Tauren Wells, the event brought together today's leading voices for a night filled with powerful performances, heartfelt testimonies, and worship moments that turned every spotlight toward Jesus.

Brandon Lake led all winners with five Dove Awards, including Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year (Artist) for "Hard Fought Hallelujah," which he co-wrote with Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, and Benjamin William Hastings. Forrest Frank was named Artist of the Year, and Leanna Crawford took home New Artist of the Year, representing a new generation of worship artists.

CeCe Winans earned two awards, including Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for "Come Jesus Come" featuring Shirley Caesar. Elevation Worship, with Chris Brown and Brandon Lake, won Worship Recorded Song of the Year for "I Know A Name." Hulvey's album CRY won Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, while Tamela Mann's God Problems - Live Breathe Fight took Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year. The Nelons' Loving You was named Southern Gospel Album of the Year, and Phil Wickham's "The Jesus Way" received Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year. Israel & New Breed and Unified Sound claimed Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year for "Coritos de Fuego" featuring Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Nate Diaz, Aaron Moses, and Lucia Parker. The Korean feature film The King of Kings, directed by Jang Seong-ho, won Feature Film of the Year.

Partial List of Winners:

• Artist of the Year: Forrest Frank

• New Artist of the Year: Leanna Crawford

• Song of the Year: "Hard Fought Hallelujah" - Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Benjamin William Hastings

• Songwriter of the Year (Artist): Brandon Lake

• Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year: "Come Jesus Come" - CeCe Winans & Shirley Caesar

• Worship Recorded Song of the Year: "I Know A Name" - Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake

• Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year: CRY - Hulvey

• Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: God Problems - Live Breathe Fight - Tamela Mann

• Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Loving You - The Nelons

• Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year: "The Jesus Way" - Phil Wickham

• Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year: "Coritos de Fuego" - Israel & New Breed, Unified Sound (ft. Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Nate Diaz, Aaron Moses, Lucia Parker)

• Feature Film of the Year: The King of Kings - Jang Seong-ho (Director)

The show featured a lineup of unforgettable performances. for KING + COUNTRY opened with Taylor Hill on "World On Fire." Ben Fuller surprised the crowd by welcoming Carrie Underwood for "If It Was Up To Me." Newly inducted Opry member Steven Curtis Chapman led a special Opry 100 tribute alongside Lady A and Vince Gill. Israel & New Breed and Unified Sound delivered an exuberant Latin celebration of "Coritos de Fuego," joined by Aaron Moses, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Alex Campos, Christine D'Clario, Josh and Waleska Morales, Ingrid Rosario, Janina Rosado, Lucia Parker, and Nate Diaz. Host Tauren Wells performed "Let The Church Sing" with gio., while CeCe Winans' acoustic "Come Jesus Come" brought a reverent calm. The night closed with Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, and special guest Jon Batiste performing a powerful, rain-soaked "Hard Fought Hallelujah."

Throughout the evening, the message was clear: it was all about Jesus. Host Tauren Wells reminded the audience, "Because of Jesus we have songs to sing and stories to tell." CeCe Winans echoed that heart, saying, "We don't do what we do for this [award]; we do it for Jesus." Accepting Song of the Year, Jelly Roll charged the audience, "The world is hearing about Jesus like never before. Now go show them Jesus-feed the poor, visit the ones in jail, be the hands and feet of Christ."

Produced by the Gospel Music Association, the show was helmed by Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt. The broadcast aired exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app, simulcast on SiriusXM The Message, and will re-air October 17 at 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET on TBN, TBN+, and YouTube. For the full list of winners and photo highlights, visit www.gospelmusic.org.

 

 

Tags : 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards brandon lake Forrest Frank the nelons Phil Wickham