Category: Christian Music

The Gospel Music Association announces their 2025 Dove Award Winners

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards Broadcast was shared by Trinity Broadcast Network on Friday, 10/10/25. The night was full of exciting performances including a few surprise guests.
Brandon Lake took home 5 awards including Song of the Year with “Hard Fought Hallelujah”.

Click HERE to read the Dove Awards Press Release from the Gospel Music Association.

To see the full list of winners, click HERE.

The Dove Awards broadcast will re-air Friday, October 17th, 2025, At 7:30pm and 10:00pm ET on TBN, the TBN+ app, and TBN YouTube.

Here is a highlight of the 2025 Winners. Congratulations to all nominees!

SONG OF THE YEAR –
Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll     
Writers: Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown and Benjamin William Hastings

ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Forrest Frank

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Leanna Crawford

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (ARTIST) – Brandon Lake

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (NON-ARTIST) – Mitch Wong

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR – Jeff Pardo

POP/CONTEMPORARY SONG OF THE YEAR –
Your Way’s Better by Forrest Frank
Writers: Forrest Frank and Pera

GOSPEL WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
Come Jesus Come by CeCe Winans and Shirley Caesar    
Writers: Hank Bentley, Bryan Fowler, Stephen McWhirter and Tara McWhirter

WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
I Know A Name by Elevation Worship, Chris Brown and Brandon Lake
Writers: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Jacob Sooter and Hank Bentley

INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
The Jesus Way by Phil Wickham     
Writers: Phil Wickham and Jonathan Smith

BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY/ROOTS SONG OF THE YEAR –
Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll     
Writers: Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown and Benjamin William Hastings

CHRISTMAS RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
Joy To The World by CeCe Winans
Writers: Traditional

POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
CHILD OF GOD by Forrest Frank     
Producers: Forrest Frank, Pera, Noah Conrad, JVKE, Jackson Foote, Johnny Simpson, Zac Lawson and Splash Of Soda

WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
When Wind Meets Fire by Elevation Worship  
Producers: Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Josh Holiday and Chandler Moore

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
Trustfall by Stephen Stanley
Producers: Stephen Stanley, Tedd T. and Jake Halm

CHRISTMAS/SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
Hallelujah! It’s Christmas! By Phil Wickham   
Producers: Jonathan Smith, Josh Auer, Jerad Atherton, Tyler Halford, Ben Lounsbury and Aaron Robertson

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR –
Heaven On My Mind by TobyMac    
Art Directors: Nathan Blaine, Aaron Stearns and Trent Nicholson
Graphic Artists: Nathan Blaine and Aaron Stearns
Photographer – Robby Klein

SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (CONCEPT) –
Can’t Stop Me by TobyMac    
Director: Eric Welch
Producer: Scott McDaniel

SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (PERFORMANCE) –
Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll     
Directors: Brandon Lake and Jacob Boyles
Producers: Jacob Boyles, Rachel Mulcahy, Sadie Schwanberg and Caleb Cook

LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR –
A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) by for KING & COUNTRY          
Directors: Joel Smallbone and Kadin Tooley
Producers: Joshua Walsh, Stephen Preston and Luke Smallbone

FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR –
The King of Kings
Director: Jang Seong-ho
Producers: Jang Seong-ho and Kim Woo-hyung

TELEVISION SERIES OF THE YEAR –
The Chosen          
Director: Dallas Jenkins
Producers: Dallas Jenkins, Chad Gundersen and Chris Juen

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WNZR talks with a member of Elevation Rhythm ahead of Sonfest 2025!

We are so excited to get the opportunity to share a conversation with Davide Mutendji, a member of Elevation Rhythm! Davide and his crew will be performing at Sonfest 2025 here at MVNU tomorrow and you are not going to want to miss this extremely powerful event.

Davide shares his background, gives us an insight on the songwriting process, and he talks about big upcoming news for the band!

Ethan and Davide also have a good time playing rapid fire!

For more info on Sonfest 2025 click HERE!

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Rock City Worship comes to Sonfest 2025 at MVNU

Rock City Worship is coming to Sonfest 2025 at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Saturday, September 20.

Rock City Worship is the expression of worship at Rock City Church in Columbus, Ohio. With a focus on writing songs that paint a vivid picture of who God reveals Himself to be in His Word, this group of pastors, worship leaders, and songwriters believes that the more clearly we can see God, the more completely we can worship Him.
Their sound blends passionate, modern worship with anthemic melodies and Christ-centered lyrics, aiming to lead people into authentic encounters with Jesus. Rock City Worship’s music has been shared in churches and streaming platforms across the country, encouraging believers everywhere to worship with all their hearts.

Nathan Montgomery of Rock City Worship talks with WNZR about the origin of the church and their worship team. He also talks about their approach to songwriting and creating a worship experience for anyone attending a service or a concert. Rapid Fire reveals his favorite worship songs and that he is a Star Wars fan.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation with WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger.

You can see Rock City Worship at Sonfest at 3:45pm on Saturday.

Click HERE for all the details about Sonfest 2025.

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John Mark McMillan comes to Sonfest 2025 at MVNU

John Mark McMillan is coming to Sonfest 2025 at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Saturday, September 20.
John Mark McMillan is something of an anomaly: an artist and Platinum-selling songwriter bending genres and defying categorization by carving out his own unique and independent path. With an ear for melody and a poet’s eye for metaphor, no topic has been off-limits. While each of his albums over the past decade have continued to explore new territory, it’s McMillan’s ability to give lyric and language to the human experience that many consider his greatest gift.

John talks with WNZR about his approach to songwriting, his history in music and how God has always part of his journey in life and music. Rapid Fire reveals the first concert he went to and his favorite movie and snack.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation with WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger.

You can see John Mark McMillan at Sonfest at 6:30pm on Saturday.

Click HERE for all the details about Sonfest 2025.

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WNZR gets to talk with Tauren Wells!

Marcy and Xander got some time to chat with Christian artist Tauren Wells!

Tauren is performing at the Ohio State Fair on Monday, July 28th and we super excited about it. It is truly inspiring to listen to Tauren tell us a little about his life and his heart for God.

We highlight everything including his church, his new book, and even his remix of “Take It All Back” with Skillet!

To get tickets, click HERE!

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Sonfest 2025 Announcement!

We got to talk with Zoe Bricker and Ben Slater from MVNU Admissions, for the big announcements about Sonfest!

They share everything about Sonfest including:

  • Where is it?
  • When is it?
  • How can I get tickets?
  • Who is performing?

We are excited to welcome ELEVATION RHYTHM, John Mark McMillan, Citizens, and more to MVNU’s campus, as a part of the concert lineup!

For more information or to get tickets, click HERE!

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Mark Schultz is coming to MVNU!

This morning on The Morning Thing, our hosts shared a conversation with Jess Kirby, the Development Director for Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center. She highlighted the exciting event that is coming to Mount Vernon! A night with Mark Schultz will be taking place on Saturday, October 4th!

Jess talks about everything you need to know regarding the event and shares the incredible story that made it all happen! We also get a little insight into Mark’s story and why he supports places like Starting Point.

Click HERE to learn more and buy tickets!

If you want to hear the full conversation click HERE!

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The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – Good Friday 2025

Today as we honor Good Friday, The Morning Thing hosts have a special Friday Favorites. They share their favorite Easter songs. 

Songs:

Marcy’s Favorite – I Believe It (The Life of Jesus) by Jon Reddick

Shawn’s Favorite – Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin

Xander’s Favorite – Man on the Middle Cross by Rhett Walker

Eric’s Favorite – The King of Love by Steven Curtis Chapman

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The Morning Things Shares Easter Conversation Starters

Most people dread family dinners, but it doesn’t have to be a minefield that you have to navigate to enjoy a meal.

On Tuesday, Eric and Xander shared some things to start POSITIVE conversations where the entire family can take part.

Examples include:

• What is your favorite part of Easter?
• What is one unusual tradition or ritual you’d like to make part of your Easter celebration?
• How do you stay focused on the Resurrection throughout the year?

Click HERE for more conversation starters at Easter Dinner.

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The Morning Thing Celebrates Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday marks the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem riding a donkey. Crowds gathered to honor him and laid down palm branches and cloaks as a gesture of honor.

On Monday’s Morning Thing, Marcy and Xander talked about Palm Sunday including the history, bible verses, and hymns focusing on Palm Sunday.

Click HERE for more history regarding Palm Sunday.

Click HERE for worship songs for Palm Sunday

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