Top Christian Songwriters and Publishers Honored at 2026 BMI Christian Awards

BMI celebrated the best in Christian music this week at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards held at its Nashville office on Music Row.

The evening paid tribute to the top Christian songwriters and music publishers behind the 25 most-performed songs of the previous year, and revealed BMI’s Christian Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year. The private event was hosted by BMI’s AVP of Creative, Nashville Leslie Roberts; EVP, Chief Revenue and Creative Officer, Mike Steinberg; and BMI’s CEO Mike O’Neill.

BMI’s Christian Song of the Year went to “Made For More,” written by Jessie Early, Jonathan Smith and Blake Wiggins. The hit song, performed by Josh Baldwin, has generated over 95 million global streams and became Baldwin’s first No. One hit on the Billboard’s Christian AC Airplay chart.

Leading up to Song of the Year, BMI named the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year including "Altar," written by Forrest Frank, Lasanna “Ace” Harris, Steve Rice and Willie Scott Jr.; "Nothin’ Sweeter," written by TobyMac and Jordan Mohilowski; "Running Back To You," written by Seph Schlueter; "Thank you Jesus for the Blood," written by Charity Gayle alongside Steven Musso; and "Unsung Hero," written by Luke Smallbone. In naming the top songs, BMI also recognized 18 first-time award winners such as Leanna Crawford, Frankie Holleman, Zachary Kale, Patrick Mayberry, Steven Musso and Megan Woods.

Steven Furtick was named BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year for writing three of the 25 most-performed songs, including "Another One," "GOODBYE YESTERDAY" and "LION." The multi-GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter who has co-written all three of these major worship tracks, serves as a primary executive producer and songwriter for both Elevation Worship ("Another One," "Lion") and Elevation Rhythm ("Goodbye Yesterday"). Through these music collectives, he has co-written multiple defining faith-based global anthems and earned six No. One chart toppers, including the 2025 BMI Christian Song of the Year "Praise," "Graves Into Gardens" and "Talking to Jesus.”

Capitol CMG Publishing brought home Publisher of the Year for representing 19 of the 25 most-performed songs of the year including BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, “Made For More,” as well as "Altar," "Grave Robber," "If I Got Jesus," "My God Can," "Somebody Prayed," "Take You At Your Word," "The Truth" and "Who Else."

The 2026 BMI Christian Awards were sponsored by Studio Bank and opened with a prayer from 2018 BMI Compass Award recipient Elwyn Raymer. The evening featured special performances, including Mississippi native Belle Frantz’s soulful rendition of the classic hymn, “Amazing Grace.” 2022 BMI Icon Steven Curtis Chapman spoke highly of Drew Parker as he welcomed him to stage for his performance of “Blame Jesus.” Jamie MacDonald gave the final performance of the evening with her No. One breakout single, “Left It In The River.”

Congratulations to all of this year's winners!

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