The 2025 Dove Awards Winners were revealed in a powerful night of worship, music, and celebration at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on October 7th. Then formally announced to the whole world on Friday the 10th of October via TBN. The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards honored the year’s most impactful Christian artists, with Brandon Lake emerging as the evening’s biggest winner, taking home five awards including the prestigious Song of the Year for “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”
Host Tauren Wells set a faith-centered tone from the opening moments, reminding the packed arena:
Without Jesus we have nothing. Without Jesus we have no songs to sing, no stories to tell. But because of Jesus, we have everything to celebrate.
— Tauren Wells, 2025 Dove Awards Host
2025 Dove Awards Winners Revealed | Host, Tauren Wells
Brandon Lake Dominates 2025 Dove Awards With Five Major Wins
Brandon Lake’s night at the Dove Awards became one for the history books. The worship leader captured five honors, including Songwriter of the Year (Artist) and the coveted Song of the Year award for “Hard Fought Hallelujah”—a collaboration that brought together unlikely partners in the Christian music space.
The Brandon Lake Dove Awards sweep represented more than personal achievement. His wins highlighted the growing influence of authentic worship music that resonates beyond church walls. Brandon shared with the audience how “Hard Fought Hallelujah” almost didn’t happen. Revealing that songwriter Steven Furtick wrote the song casually at his house without expecting its massive impact.
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” Takes Song of the Year Honor
The Song of the Year category recognized not just Lake but all five songwriters: Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, and Benjamin William Hastings. This cross-genre collaboration between a worship leader and a mainstream artist marked a cultural milestone for Christian music.
The performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” closed the night with Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, and special guest Jon Batiste delivering a rain-soaked version that left the arena in reverent silence.
I might say things that other Christians don’t think are right to say, but ultimately I have a heart for God and I have a heart for Jesus.
— Jelly Roll, Award winning Christian Artist
Hard Fought Hallelujah – 2025 Dove Awards Winners
Forrest Frank Named Artist of the Year Despite Controversy
In a decision that sparked conversation across the Christian music community, Forrest Frank won the coveted Artist of the Year award at the 2025 Dove Awards. The recognition came despite—or perhaps because of—Frank’s choice not to attend the ceremony, continuing his stated position of declining major award shows.
The Forrest Frank Dove Awards win highlighted the tension between traditional industry recognition and newer artists’ approach to ministry. Frank has publicly stated his belief that such events can distract from the primary mission of sharing the gospel. Yet his music’s undeniable impact on younger Christian audiences made him the clear choice for voters.
Frank’s absence didn’t diminish the significance of the award. His innovative approach to worship music, particularly his ability to reach younger listeners through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, represents a new era of Christian music distribution and influence.
Your Way’s Better – 2025 Dove Awards Winners
Leanna Crawford Wins New Artist of the Year
Leanna Crawford’s New Artist of the Year win celebrated a breakout year for the emerging worship artist. Crawford’s authentic storytelling and vulnerability in her music resonated deeply with Christian audiences seeking genuine connection in worship.
Her acceptance reflected the night’s central theme. Crawford emphasized her desire to use the platform not for personal glory but to point others toward Christ—a sentiment that echoed throughout every acceptance speech.
New Artist of the Year – 2025 Dove Awards Winners
Unforgettable Performances Light Up Bridgestone Arena
The 56th Dove Awards brought together an extraordinary lineup of performances that blended worship, celebration, and surprising collaborations. for KING + COUNTRY opened the show with guest Taylor Hill, performing their powerful anthem “World On Fire” with theatrical precision that immediately elevated the evening’s energy.
The Gospel Music Association pulled off several surprise moments that had the audience on their feet. Ben Fuller welcomed eight-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood to the stage for their nominated duet “If It Was Up To Me”—a collaboration that bridged contemporary Christian music with mainstream country stardom.
Surprise Guest Stars Delight the Crowd
The night’s surprise appearances demonstrated the broad appeal of gospel music. Jon Batiste joined Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll for the climactic performance, bringing his jazz-infused musicality to the worship anthem.
A special Opry 100 tribute featured newly minted Opry member Steven Curtis Chapman alongside fellow members Lady A and Vince Gill. The performance honored the Grand Ole Opry’s centennial while celebrating the deep connections between country music and gospel traditions.
CeCe Winans delivered a stripped-down, acoustic performance of “Come Jesus Come” that became one of the night’s most poignant moments. The simplicity of her approach—just voice and minimal accompaniment—created sacred space in the arena.
Israel & New Breed and Unified Sound brought explosive energy with “Coritos de Fuego,” welcoming an all-star Latin lineup including Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Alex Campos, Christine D’Clario, and several others. The performance celebrated the growing influence and recognition of Spanish-language Christian music.
I realize that every award is just so that I can tell somebody else about Jesus
— CeCe Winans, Award Winning Gospel Icon
Come Jesus Come | 2025 Dove Awards Winners
2025 Dove Awards Winners List
The GMA Dove Awards recognized excellence across numerous categories:
Major Awards:
- 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
Worship Categories:
- Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “Come Jesus Come” – CeCe Winans featuring Shirley Caesar
- Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “I Know A Name” – Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake
- Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year: “The Jesus Way” – Phil Wickham
Album Awards:
- 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
Special Recognition:
- Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year: “Coritos de Fuego” – Israel & New Breed, Unified Sound
- Feature Film of the Year: The King of Kings (Director: Jang Seong-ho)
- Jackie Patillo Leadership Award: Al Andrews (Porter’s Call)
2025 Dove Awards Winners | Gospel Music Association
How to Watch the 2025 Dove Awards Broadcast
The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards broadcast aired exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app on Friday, October 10th, 2025, at 7:30pm and 10:00pm ET. The show was simultaneously available on SiriusXM The Message for radio listeners.
For those who missed the initial broadcast, an encore presentation is scheduled for Friday, October 17th, 2025, at 7:30pm and 10:00pm ET on TBN, the TBN+ app, and TBN YouTube.
The 2025 Dove Awards Winners represent more than just individual achievement—they embody a movement of artists committed to using their gifts for kingdom purposes. From Brandon Lake’s historic five-win night to the surprising collaborations that bridged musical worlds, the 56th Annual Dove Awards reminded the Christian community why faith-driven music matters.
As CeCe Winans stated while accepting her Gospel Worship award:
Like Tauren said earlier, we don’t do what we do for this [award], we do what we do for Jesus.
— CeCe Winans, 2025 Dove Awards Recipient
That spirit of worship over recognition defined an unforgettable night in Nashville.
How to Engage with the 2025 Dove Awards Winners
The 2025 Dove Awards Winners offer inspiration for deepening your faith through music and worship.
- Create a Dove Awards Playlist
Compile songs from this year’s winners including “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” “Come Jesus Come,” “The Jesus Way,” and “I Know A Name.” Stream these award-winning tracks during devotional time or worship moments.
- Watch the Full Broadcast
View the complete 2025 Dove Awards ceremony on TBN, the TBN+ app, or TBN YouTube. Experience the performances, acceptance speeches, and faith-centered moments that made this year’s show memorable.
- Support Christian Artists
Follow the 2025 winners on social media and streaming platforms. Support artists like Forrest Frank, Brandon Lake, Leanna Crawford, and CeCe Winans by purchasing albums, attending concerts, and sharing their music with your community.
- Join the Conversation
Engage with the Christian music community by discussing your favorite performances and winners. Share how these artists’ music impacts your faith journey on social platforms using relevant hashtags.
- Apply the Message
Reflect on Tauren Wells’ opening message and Jelly Roll’s challenge to “put faith on your feet.” Consider how you can live out the worship these artists exemplify through service, witness, and authentic faith expression in your daily life.
FAQ Section – 2025 Dove Awards Winners
Forrest Frank won Artist of the Year at the 2025 Dove Awards, despite not attending the ceremony. His win recognized his innovative approach to Christian music and his significant impact on younger audiences through social media platforms and streaming services.
Brandon Lake won five Dove Awards in 2025, the most of any artist that night. His wins included Song of the Year for “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” Songwriter of the Year (Artist), and Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “I Know A Name” with Elevation Worship and Chris Brown.
The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards took place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on October 7, 2025. The ceremony returned to Nashville after being held there consistently as the home of Christian and gospel music.
The Dove Awards, presented by the Gospel Music Association, specifically honor excellence in Christian and gospel music across all genres. The Grammy Awards cover all music genres broadly. Dove Awards focus exclusively on faith-based music and ministry impact.
The 2025 Dove Awards featured performances from for KING + COUNTRY, Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll with Jon Batiste, CeCe Winans, Carrie Underwood with Ben Fuller, Steven Curtis Chapman with Lady A and Vince Gill, Israel & New Breed, Tauren Wells with gio., and many others.
Managing Editor @ ELEV8 Magazine | Bestselling Author | Finance Analyst – A bestselling author and finance analyst, Charles Myambo serves as Managing Editor at ELEV8 Magazine. Known for blending data precision with faith-driven insight, he brings clarity to complex topics — from money and purpose to media influence.
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