CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake, Forrest Frank

CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake and Forrest Frank were among the night’s biggest winners at the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards, which aired Friday (October 4) on TBN.

The ceremony, held before a sold-out crowd at the Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, celebrated the artists and songwriters behind the year’s top music, including sounds like pop, gospel, rap/hip -Hop and Southern Gospel and more.

“Unity does not mean uniformity. “The Dove Awards stage is a picture of God’s creativity,” GMA President Jackie Patillo told the audience at the start of the show. “All of you exalt and praise the name of Jesus.”

The evening’s host, singer-songwriter Tauren Wells, echoed this sentiment, saying, “I am encouraged by the diversity and beauty I see in this room. The diversity that the pigeon awards represent is beautiful,” adding, “Although there are many genres, we sing one song.”

Winans received the evening’s highest honor, Artist of the Year, along with two other awards.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Winans said after taking the stage to accept the artist of the year award. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I know it has nothing to do with me. God is great… I am known for my music, but God only knows me for my relationship with Him. He only knows us as we know him. And so we’re all here tonight – the artists I was in the category with, I came here tonight to cheer them on.”

By accepting the “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year” award for Coat in many colorsLake said: “I cried all night and told someone that this was the award I wanted to win the most. I just want my friends to win. These amazing producers, these guys, it’s been the honor of my life just working with you. I have the privilege of touring and presenting these songs. Your fingerprints are on thousands of lives that have been changed… I am so grateful. I literally sit here all night and just cry…the word humility, I’m surrounded by greatness. What an honor to be surrounded by awesomeness. Thank you for supporting these songs, this record, we have a lot more to come.” Lake was also named songwriter of the year (artist).

There were 11 performances on the night, with CeCe Winans opening the show with a laudatory, laudatory “That’s My King.” CAIN followed with her Top 5 Billboard Christian Airplay hit “Any More,” while breakdancers flanked Anike as she performed the fierce “In the Light” with guest Porsha Love. Joseph Habedank played the swampy, soulful, pounding “Tell the Devil.”

Tye Tribbett and his backup singers sang “Only One Night Tho” to thunderous applause. Maverick City Music performed the piano ballad “God Problems” with Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore (the song was named Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year).

“I think the only joy of a song like this winning something like this is that we have the opportunity to remind people over and over again that nothing is impossible for God,” Raine said. “He is capable. He sees us.”

The crowd stood as the Jackie Patillo Award for Outstanding Leadership was presented to gospel pioneers Bill and Gloria Gaither, known for songs such as “Because He Lives” and “There’s Just Something About That Name.”

“We are overwhelmed by this,” Gloria said, thanking everyone who has sung her songs in churches, communities and choirs around the world, as well as all the artists who have recorded the songs.

“At some point we lost our song. Let us stand on the Rock of Ages and shine like a city on a hill, for there is a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill,” said Bill Gaither.

Michael W. Smith presented the Song of the Year award, which went to Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever.” Brian Johnson and Jenn Johnson accepted the honor and also thanked their co-writers on the song, Tomlin, Jason Ingram and Phil Wickham.

Mothers were celebrated several times in the evening. He accepted the Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year award for his album His glory alone IIKB honored his mother, who was sitting in the audience.

“I had the honor of coming to the Doves this year with my lovely mother,” said KB. “The doctors told her that when I was a baby I wouldn’t be able to talk, and if I could, I wouldn’t talk well. My mother told them they were wrong. She is an example of that resilient, tenacious faith that believes God can do more than what the reports say.” He turned to his mother and said, “I dedicate this award to you. You have been a fighter for me all my life. You fought for me when I was far from Jesus and didn’t believe in God. And here I am now as a fruit of your labor.”

He continued: “Christian hip hop is often overlooked. Something is happening in the mainstream. They pay attention to what’s going on. It’s something that’s not just music, it’s a movement. People come to Christ. Marriages are saved. People see themselves in these representations of the gospel. Give them Jesus while the world watches.”

The feature film of the year went to the film “For King & Country”. Unsung herobased on the story of the sibling duo’s family and their journey from Australia to America. The duo’s Joel and Luke Smallbone invited their parents, who inspired the film, to speak.

“I think every mother is an unsung hero,” her mother said, while her father added, “It’s emotional.” When I lost everything 35 years ago, I said, “The only way we’re going to get anywhere is to go to America. She said, “We’ll stay there for two years.” And 35 years later we’re still here. We love America. This is a land of opportunity.”

“Shout to the Lord” author Darlene Zschech introduced the collaboration of Brian and Jenn Johnson, Miel San Marcos and Gabriel Gabriel Guedes for a multilingual version of “Holy Forever.”

Meanwhile, Christine D’Clario accepted the song of the year recorded in Spanish, saying: “This song is special… and has become the song of my recovery.”

Wells took a break from his hosting duties to collaborate with DAVIES and Skillet’s John Cooper for “Take It All Back (What The Enemy Stole),” delivering a commanding performance with pounding drums and swirling guitars that immediately captivated some in the audience from raising his hands headbanging.

Natalie Grant gave a powerful, stirring rendition of “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory),” honoring the lives of many artists, executives and other creators who have passed away in the past year.

Elsewhere in the evening, Christian country singer Anne Wilson performed her powerful ballad “Strong” (her album). rebel won Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year).

The award for new artist of the year went to Forrest Frank, who performed his songs “No Longer Bound” and “Good Day” earlier in the evening. Frank also picked up the award for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year for “Good Day.”

“I feel like I don’t deserve this award. I was curious if I would even come to a Christian music awards show because everything I do is for the Lord,” Frank said. “For some reason he gave me songs that relate to people. I am so grateful to be here and I want to continue to give glory to Jesus because my name will disappear like everyone else’s…but one name will remain and that is Jesus Christ.”

The evening concluded with a performance by Crowder, who performed his Top 10 Christian Airplay hit “Grave Robber,” which was named Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year.

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards will take place on October 7, 2025, when the Dove Awards ceremony moves from its longtime home at Allen Arena to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Below is a list of the winners:

Artist of the Year: CeCe Winans

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: Coat in many colorsBrandon Lake

New Artist of the Year: Forrest Frank

Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year: rebelAnne Wilson

Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Live in AmsterdamErnie Haase and Signature Sound

Song of the Year Recorded in Spanish: “Tanta Historias,” Christine D’Clario

Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: His glory alone IIKB

Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year: “Love Like That,” Hulvey feat. Tony D. Shaun, Alex Jean

Short music video (concept): “Faithfully”, TobyMac

Short Video of the Year (Performance): “Joy (The Choir Room Version)”, The Choir Room, Ben Rector

Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist): Jason Ingram

Songwriter of the Year (Artist): Brandon Lake

Producer of the Year: Jonathan Smith

Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “Praise,” Elevation Worship

Song of the Year: “Holy Forever,” Chris Tomlin

Feature film of the year: Unsung hero

Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year: “God Problems,” Maverick City Music

Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: Father’s DayKirk Franklin

Bluegrass/Country/Roots Song of the Year: “Lookin’ For You,” Zach Williams Feat. Dolly Parton

Gospel Worship Album of the Year: More than thatCeCe Winans

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year: “My Tribute (to God Be the Glory),” Natalie Grant feat. CeCe Winans

Traditional Gospel Song of the Year: “I Believe God” – Jekalyn Carr

Traditional Gospel Album of the Year: No mistakeMelvin Crispell III

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “Here Comes Jesus,” Jeff & Sheri Easter (feat. Mo Pitney)

Worship album of the year: I believePhil Wickham

Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year: Songs of Life: A Celebration of the First 20th Anniversarys, pour crowns

Christmas song of the year recorded: “Manger Throne”, Phil Wickham

Spanish-language album of the year: Evangelio (En Vivo)Miel San Marcos

Inspirational Album of the Year: AutobiographyJoseph Habedank

Children’s Recorded Song of the Year: “Holy Forever,” Yancy

Music packaging of the year: Jesus musicCAIN

Recorded Song of the Year in Spanish: “Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica),” Cairo Worship

Song of the Year Recorded in Spanish: “Tantas Historias,” Christine D’Clario

TV series of the year: On the hunt for CAIN

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year: mannaChris Renzema

Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year: “Grave Robber,” Crowder

Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “The Story I’ll Tell (Live)” – Naomi Raine

Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year: “Good Day,” Forrest Frank

Music/Choral Collection of the Year: “My King Is Known By Love”

Long Video of the Year: “Steven Curtis Chapman: The Great Adventure,” Steven Curtis Chapman