GMA Dove Awards Winners

Forrest Frank has swept the major honours at this year’s GMA Dove Awards for Christian music, but he intentionally and controversially didn’t turn up at the ceremony to accept them.

The crossover artist who has become one of the most-streamed independent voices in Christian pop, won Artist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for ‘Child of God’ and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for ‘YOUR WAY’S BETTER.’

He declined to attend due to a “personal conviction” that the “greatest award of all time” is salvation.

More on that later.

All the other winners turned up bringing with them messages of humility, hope and shared purpose.

BRANDON LAKE TAKES HOME FIVE AWARDS

Barndon Lake and Jelly Roll received three gongs for their collaboration ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah: Song of the Year, Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year and Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance).

Lake also won Songwriter of the Year (Artist) and combined with Elevation Worship and Chris Brown to win Worship Recorded Song of the Year for ‘I Know a Name.’

Accepting this award, he recalled the unlikely way it was born:

“Stephen Furtick wrote this song in my house, and we didn’t think much of it. “

“And that’s why I love these stories of songs like ‘Gratitude’ and this one, ‘I Know a Name,’” he said.

“Then I got the demo a few days later, and I was just flying like 90 down the highway. I was like, we got a song, y’all.’ … Collaboration is everything.”

MORE GONGS FOR PHIL WICKHAM AND CECE WINANS

Phil Wickham, whose song ‘The Jesus Way’ earned Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year, read from Philippians while accepting his award, telling the audience, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.”

CeCe Winans, who won Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for ‘Come Jesus Come’ with Shirley Caesar, shared a message of faithfulness and perseverance:

“I’ve been in this industry since I was probably about 19 … and all I can say is that God is faithful.”

“We don’t do what we do for this. We do what we do for Jesus. All of us in here, we have an incredible opportunity.”

“We get a chance to worship all over the world and do what we do.”

“But we have an awesome responsibility, and that is to bring as many people as we can when Jesus returns.”

JELLY ROLL’S HEARTFELT THANKS TO THOSE WHO STOOD BY HIM 

Jelly Roll, who has often credited his faith for his personal transformation, spoke candidly about redemption, challenging audiences to live out their faith.

“I was thinking about Matthew, when he talks about belief, when he said, ‘When I was hungry, you fed me, when I was thirsty …“

“I’m standing here because people took time with me.”

“The world is hearing about Jesus like they have never before.”

“Put faith on your feet and feet on your faith,” he proclaimed.

PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF FOR LEANNA CRAWFORD

Leanna Crawford, who won New Artist of the Year, reflected on her nine-year journey in Nashville and unlikely rise to success.

“I moved to Nashville because I felt like I was called to write songs to hopefully encourage people and point them to Jesus,” she said.

“There’s been a lot of ups and downs, a lot of moments that I wanted to just throw in the towel and give it up.”

“But by God’s grace, He put people in my life that encouraged me, lifted me up, and pointed me back to Him.”

A SPECIAL HONOUR FOR SINGER AFTER FAMILY TRAGEDY 

Autumn Nelon, accepting Southern Gospel Album of the Year for ‘Loving You,’ fought back tears as she spoke about her late family members.

Her mother, sister and stepfather were among seven people who died in a plane crash last year.

“This moment is incredibly special and honestly, a little bittersweet,” she said.

“It’s the first award that I’ve ever accepted without my family.”

“This album is the last thing that we ever made together, and to see it honoured like this just means more than words could ever express.”

“I wish more than anything that my family was standing here beside me today, but I know they’re honoured and looking down and saying, ‘You did it, kid.’”

“STAY SPIRITUALLY READY FOR JESUS’S RETURN”

Hulvey, who won Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year for ‘Cry’, urged the audience to stay spiritually ready before closing in prayer.

“Maybe there’s bitterness in this room.”

“Maybe there’s things that we don’t even want to share with anyone that’s just harbouring deep within us.”

“Strip it off. Because when He comes back, we’re going to be held accountable for the way we love each other.

WHY DID FORREST FRANK SHUN THE AWARDS CEREMONY?

When Forrest Frank attended last year’s GMA Dove Awards, he accepted the prize for New Artist of the Year, but at the time admitted he wasn’t even sure he would attend the event “because this is just all for Him and everything I do is for the Lord.”

“My name will fade away, just like all of ours one day.”

“But, at the end of the time, and for all of eternity, One Name will remain, and that’s the name of Jesus Christ.”

Just days before this year’s awards the 30-year-old’s stance of non-participation became official.

“I HOPE TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO YOUTH”

“I will not be attending the Doves or the Grammys.”

“I hope to be an example to the youth that the trophy is our salvation.”

“The trophy is that my name is listed in the Book of Life, and I get to have eternal life.”

“What good is a piece of metal going to do compared to that?” he concluded.