Brandon Lake, Katy Nichole and Blessing Offor won top honors at the 54th annual GMA Dove Awards, while “The Goodness of God” by Bethel Church worship leader Jenn Johnson earned the “Song of the Year” award.
This year’s awards, which honor the best in Christian music and media, were held at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena on Oct. 17 and hosted by Tauren Wells.
Lake, who received 11 nominations, snagged the coveted “Artist of the Year” and “Songwriter of the Year” awards, along with “Worship Recorded Song of the Year” for “Gratitude” and “Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year” for “Graves,” a collaboration with hip-hop artist KB.
Nichole, whose breakthrough hit “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” set records on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs and Christian Airplay charts, won “New Artist of the Year.” She received four nods, more than any other female artist.
Offor won “Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of The Year” for “Brighter Days” and “Short Form Music Video of The Year (Performance)” for “The Goodness” with TobyMac.
Johnson, who performed and penned “The Goodness of God” along with Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram and Brian Johnson, told CP she believes the song resonates with so many because it reminds listeners of God’s presence amid dark times. “It brings hope,” she said.
Other big winners of the night included: Tasha Cobbs Leonard, who won “Gospel Worship Album of the Year” for Hymns (Live) and “Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year” for “It Is Well”; Lecrae for “Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year” for Church Clothes 4; TobyMac for “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year” for Life After Death; Elevation Worship for “Worship Album of the Year” for LION: Live From the Loft; and Jason Crabb and Dylan Scott for “Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year” for “Good Morning Mercy.””
The “Feature Film of the Year” award went to “Jesus Revolution,” while the hit series following the life of Christ, “The Chosen,” won “Television Series of the Year,” a category it won last year as well.