Steven Furtick, “Made for More” and Capitol CMG Publishing received the top honors at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards, held July 22 at BMI’s Music Row office in Nashville.
The private ceremony recognized the songwriters and publishers behind the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year. BMI executives Leslie Roberts, Mike Steinberg and Mike O’Neill hosted the event.
“Made for More” Named Song of the Year
“Made for More,” written by Jessie Early, Jonathan Smith and Blake Wiggins and recorded by Josh Baldwin, was named BMI Christian Song of the Year.
The song has generated more than 95 million global streams and became Baldwin’s first No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian AC Airplay chart.
BMI also recognized 24 additional songs among the year’s most performed, 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 and Steven Musso
- “Unsung Hero,” written by Luke Smallbone
Eighteen songwriters received their first BMI Christian Award, including Leanna Crawford, Frankie Holleman, Zachary Kale, Patrick Mayberry, Steven Musso and Megan Woods.
Steven Furtick Earns Songwriter of the Year
Furtick was named BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year after co-writing three of the 25 most-performed songs: Elevation Worship’s “Another One” and “LION,” and Elevation Rhythm’s “GOODBYE YESTERDAY.”
The award follows a run that includes six No. 1 songs associated with Elevation Worship and Elevation Rhythm. Among them is “Praise,” which received BMI Christian Song of the Year honors in 2025.
Capitol CMG Publishing Leads the Field
Capitol CMG Publishing was named Publisher of the Year after representing 19 of the 25 award-winning songs.
Its catalog included “Made for More,” “Altar,” “Grave Robber,” “If I Got Jesus,” “My God Can,” “Somebody Prayed,” “Take You at Your Word,” “The Truth” and “Who Else.”
Performances Honor Songs Old and New
Elwyn Raymer, a 2018 recipient of BMI’s Compass Award, opened the evening with prayer.
Belle Frantz performed “Amazing Grace,” while Steven Curtis Chapman introduced Drew Parker for a performance of “Blame Jesus.” Jamie MacDonald closed the ceremony with her No. 1 single “Left It in the River.”
The annual awards place the attention behind the microphone, recognizing the writers and publishers whose work traveled across radio, streaming platforms and churches during the previous year.