Major Winners and Multi-Award Honorees
Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake, and Josiah Queen emerged as the dominant figures of the evening, securing three Dove Awards each. Wickham captured the coveted Artist of the Year title, in addition to winning Worship Album of the Year for Song of the Saints. During his acceptance speech, Wickham reflected on the privilege of crafting music utilized in congregational worship worldwide, stating that he does not take the ministry for granted.
Brandon Lake was recognized as Songwriter of the Year (Artist) and also earned Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for King of Hearts. Furthermore, Lake shared the Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year honor with country star Lainey Wilson for their collaboration “The Jesus I Know Now.” Young rising artist Josiah Queen secured Song of the Year for his breakout track “Dusty Bibles,” which also won Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. Queen, 23, shared during his acceptance that scripture reading helped him navigate seasons of personal struggle and isolation.
Performances and Tributes Highlight the Evening
The ceremony featured significant collaborative performances and emotional tributes to departed industry icons. TobyMac opened the night by reuniting with former Diverse City member Mr. TalkBox for the first time in a decade to perform “Heaven on My Mind.” Later in the program, Amy Grant and Natalie Grant delivered a moving tribute to the late Dolly Parton, performing a duet of “How Great Thou Art.” Parton, who passed away on August 25, was also honored posthumously with the Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year award alongside The Grascals for “Broken Angels.”
Another major tribute celebrated gospel legend Richard Smallwood, featuring performances by Jonathan McReynolds, Kierra Sheard, Donald Lawrence, Maurette Brown Clark, and Ted Winn. In the film and television categories, the animated feature project DAVID won multiple Dove Awards, including Feature Film of the Year, while the television series The Chosen was named Television Series of the Year.
Breakout Recognitions and Genre Categories
New Artist of the Year was awarded to Jamie MacDonald, a Michigan native who detailed her journey from waiting tables and overcoming addiction to pursuing a career in Christian music inspired by the work of CeCe Winans. Winans herself claimed Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “More Than This” featuring Todd Dulaney.
Additional category winners included Tasha Cobbs Leonard, who won Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for TASHA and Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “Church” featuring John Legend. Hulvey took home Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year for COULD BE TONIGHT, while Jeremy Camp featuring Skillet won Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “No Survivors.” An encore broadcast of the awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Friday, October 16, across TBN networks and digital platforms.