2026 GMA Dove Awards Winners Include Wickham, Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, and Josiah Queen.

Lake’s recognition extended beyond his recorded performances. His Songwriter of the Year award honored his work behind the songs, an aspect of Christian music that can receive less public attention than the artists and performances heard on stage.

Lake also performed “The Jesus I Know Now” with country singer Lainey Wilson. Their collaboration reflected the continuing overlap between Christian music and country, two traditions that often share themes of faith, family, hardship and hope.

Gospel music held a substantial place in the awards program. Tasha Cobbs Leonard received two Dove Awards, including Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “Church,” her collaboration with John Legend. CeCe Winans won Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “More Than This,” featuring Todd Dulaney.

Karen Peck received the ninth Dove Award of her career, adding another honor to her years in Southern Gospel music. The ceremony also included a tribute to gospel musician Richard Smallwood. Jonathan McReynolds, Kierra Sheard and Donald Lawrence were among the performers who took part.

Christian hip-hop artist 1K Phew used the occasion to speak about perseverance and faith following a difficult period in his career. In an interview with Premier Gospel’s Adam Brooks, he described his renewed momentum as another opportunity to grow spiritually.

“It’s a blessing,” he said, adding that the experience gave him “another chance to be a stronger child of God.”

He also spoke about the reassurance he found in his faith during a time when he felt misunderstood. “It’s no greater feeling to know and get that reminder that God has you,” he said.

His advice to listeners was to remain attentive to the path they believe God has set before them rather than allowing other people’s expectations to determine their direction. The comments offered a personal perspective on the uncertainty that can accompany a creative career, even when an artist appears successful to the public.

The awards also recognized work by international artists, including Andrea Bocelli, Daddy Yankee and Sarai Rivera. Their inclusion showed the range of languages, musical traditions and audiences represented within the Dove Awards program.

A tribute performance by Amy Grant and Natalie Grant was another part of the evening. Along with the Richard Smallwood tribute, it gave the ceremony space to acknowledge artists whose work has influenced other musicians and listeners across generations.

For families deciding what to hear together, the winners provide several entry points into current Christian music. Wickham and Lake remain closely associated with worship music, while Queen and MacDonald represent newer voices receiving major recognition. The gospel categories point listeners toward Cobbs Leonard and Winans, and the international honorees offer music shaped by traditions beyond the main English-language categories.

The 2026 awards ultimately distributed attention across artists at different stages of their careers. Major honors went to familiar names, but Queen’s Song of the Year award and MacDonald’s New Artist of the Year win ensured that emerging performers also had a visible place in the program. The combination of awards, collaborations and tributes made the ceremony a record of both the year’s music and the relationships connecting Christian artists across genres.