Like doves at a high-drama wedding— the GMA has RELEASED the 2025 Dove Award Nominees.
This year’s list is packed with familiar legends, rising stars, and powerful songs that have defined the past year in Christian music. From worship anthems to hip-hop bangers, soulful Southern Gospel to cutting-edge pop, the Dove Awards continue to highlight the genre’s incredible diversity and spiritual impact. Full list of nominees below.
And this year, they’ll all be celebrated on a bigger stage than ever before. For the first time in Dove Awards history, the show is moving to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, home of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and the city’s biggest nights in music. After years of unforgettable memories at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena, this move marks a new chapter for the Doves and a major moment for the artists who’ve been lifting hearts and hands across the globe.
HERE ARE YOUR NOMINEES:
Song of the Year Presented by MultiTracks.com
“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 Presented by Cantinas Arts Foundation
Abbie Gamboa
Caleb Gordon
Leanna Crawford
Patrick Mayberry
Strings and Heart
Worship Recorded Song of the Year Presented by CCLI
“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 Presented by CCLI
“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
More awards to be announced throughout the day.
You don’t want to just watch this; you want to be in the room! The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards takes place October 7, 2025, and tickets are on sale now. Celebrate the music, the message, and the moment. Get yours today.