Gospel Music Association Unveils Nominees For 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards

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The Gospel Music Association has revealed the nominees for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Brandon Lake leads artist nominations with nine, including Artist of the Year.

Nominee announcements were shared on the GMA Dove Awards Instagram account by Dove Award-winning artists CAIN, Jekalyn Carr, Katy Nichole, Karen Peck and Pastor Mike Jr. via surprise FaceTime calls to select nominees. This year’s Dove Awards, presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, will be held Oct. 7th, 2025 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The broadcast will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App Friday, Oct. 10th, 2025 at 7:30pm and 10pm ET and will be simulcast on SiriusXM The Message.

“It’s such an exciting time as we announce this year’s nominees,” says GMA President Jackie Patillo. “We love honoring the incredible gifts of our community of artists, songwriters, producers and creatives and showcasing all they’ve accomplished this past year. I look forward to celebrating with you at Bridgestone Arena this October!”

A full list of nominees can be found here. Voted on by the GMA Professional Membership, this year’s nominees were chosen from over 2,800 submitted entries.

2025 Dove Award Nominees: 
Song of the Year
“Counting My Blessings” (Writers: Seph Schlueter, Jordan Sapp, Jonathan Gamble)
“Good Day” (Writer: Forrest Frank)
“Goodbye Yesterday” (Writers: Gracie Binion, Steven Furtick, Mitch Wong, Josh Holiday)
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” (Writers: Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Benjamin William Hastings)
“Still Waters (Psalm 23)” (Writers: Leanna Crawford, Jonathan Gamble, Justin Mark Richards)
“That’s My King” (Writers: Kellie Gamble, Jess Russ, Lloyd Nicks, Taylor Agan)
“That’s Who I Praise” (Writers: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings, Zac Lawson, Micah Nichols)
“The Prodigal” (Writers: Josiah Queen, Jared Marc)
“The Truth” (Writers: Megan Woods, Matthew West, Jeff Pardo)
“Up!” (Writers: Forrest Frank, Connor Price)

Artist of the Year
Brandon Lake
CeCe Winans
Forrest Frank
Josiah Queen
Lauren Daigle
Phil Wickham

New Artist of the Year
Abbie Gamboa
Caleb Gordon
Leanna Crawford
Patrick Mayberry
Strings and Heart

Worship Recorded Song of the Year
“At The Altar” – ELEVATION RHYTHM, Tiffany Hudson, Abbie Gamboa
“I Know A Name” – Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake
“Mighty Name Of Jesus (Live)” – Hope Darst, The Belonging Co.
“The King Is In The Room” – Phil Wickham
“What A God (Live)” – SEU Worship, ONE HOUSE, Kenzie Walker, Chelsea Plank, Roosevelt
Stewart

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“Desperate” – Jamie MacDonald
“GOODBYE YESTERDAY” – ELEVATION RHYTHM, Grace Binion
“Still Waters (Psalm 23)” – Leanna Crawford
“That’s Who I Praise” – Brandon Lake
“YOUR WAY’S BETTER” – Forrest Frank

Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year
“Come Jesus Come” – CeCe Winans, Shirley Caesar
“God Is In Control” – DOE
“One Hallelujah” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Erica Campbell, Israel Houghton (ft. Jonathan McReynolds, Jekalyn Carr)
“Rest On Us (Flow) [Live]” – Naomi Raine
“Yahweh” – Jason Nelson (ft. Melvin Crispell III)

Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year
“Al Estar Aquí” – Marcos Witt, TAYA
“ALGORITMO” – Gabriel EMC, Alex Zurdo
“Coritos de Fuego” – Israel & New Breed, Unified Sound (ft. Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Nate Diaz, Aaron Moses, Lucia Parker)
“Sigue Caminando” – Sarai Rivera
“Worthy” – Blanca (ft. Yandel)

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year
Anike – Anike
Christlike, California – Mile Minnick
CRY – Hulvey
SORRY, I CHANGED (AGAIN) – Aaron Cole
The People We Became – nobigdyl.

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“If Not For Christ” – The Whisnants
“Love ‘Em Where They Are” – Gaither Vocal Band
“Man On The Middle Cross” – Scotty Inman (ft. Jason Crabb, Charlotte Ritchie)
“That’s What Faith Looks Like” – Karen Peck & New River
“You’ll Find Him There (Live)” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year
“(More Than A) Hollow Hallelujah” – The Isaacs
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll
“If It Was Up To Me” – Ben Fuller, Carrie Underwood
“There’s a Hole in the Heart” – The Nelons
“There’s a River” – High Road (ft. Jaelee Roberts)

Feature Film of the Year
For the One
Reagan
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Forge
The King of Kings

Television Series of the Year
God. Family. Football.
House of David
Jesus: Refugee, Renegade, Redeemer with Bear Grylls
The Chosen
When Hope Calls

Lauryn Sink
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