Christian Music - Reviews, News, Interviews

Act now to share the love of Christ in the Middle East

Unplanned, Lauren Daigle, Danny Gokey and For King and Country Win Big at K-Love Fan Awards

<em>Unplanned</em>, Lauren Daigle, Danny Gokey and For King and Country Win Big at K-Love Fan Awards

Three of the year’s biggest artists in Christian Music – For King and Country, Lauren Daigle and Danny Gokey – and the groundbreaking pro-life movie Unplanned won big this weekend at the K-Love Fan awards bringing home a collective total of 6 awards.

Australian brother duo For King and Country, walked away with two awards including “Best Group/Duo of the Year” and “Song of the Year” for their hit song “God Only Knows.”

While receiving the “Best Group/Duo of the Year” award, member Luke Smallbone shared the story of how God helped this album come into existence. Smallbone shared how, after getting sick, his wife became dependent on the pills she was prescribed. The “Burn the Ships” singer shared that the two turned to God for help through their struggle and eventually his wife was free from her addiction. This, the singer proclaimed, was the inspiration for the group’s most recent album’s single “Burn the Ships” which shares the album’s namesake.

The brothers took to Instagram to share the moment with their followers and took the opportunity to thank their fans. They wrote, “We couldn’t let the night escape us before sending out an enormous “thank you“ to you who showed your support for us at tonight’s @klovefanawards.”

They continued, “We received two awards, one for group/duo and the other for “God Only Knows” as song of the year...the most meaningful thing about this evening is that you are the ones who determined the outcome.”

“When we set out with the crazy notion of starting a band, we did so with the hope of serving you with music that would reach into your soul, and maybe even impact your life. We feel tonight was a glimpse into that vision being realized. With love, - Joel & Luke,” the brothers concluded.

Lauren Daigle, whose sophomore album Look Up Child soared to the top of the charts following its September 2018 release, was also awarded two fan-voted honors: “Artist of the Year” and “Female Artist of the Year.” 

According to CBN News, during her acceptance speech, Daigle praised God for the work He has done to make her album a success.

While accepting the “Artist of the Year” award on Sunday, the 27-year-old singer said, “This has been an incredible year. I just want to give so much glory to the Lord. He has taken the record so far and wide.”

Later, the “You Say” singer shared a series of photos to Instagram thanking her fans for their undying support. She wrote, “THANK YOU to everyone who voted in the @klovefanawards!! Grateful to be named Artist of the Year & Female Artist of the Year.”

Christian artists Danny Gokey – whose most recent album Haven’t Seen It Yet was released in April 2019 – walked away as the K-Love Male Artist of the Year. Gokey’s album reached the top of the charts in its debut week coming in as the number one Christian album in sales during its release week. While accepting the “Male Artist of the Year” award on Sunday, Gokey expressed his gratitude noting that “gratefulness is the key to worship.”

The “Fighter” singer also encouraged that if God could use him to further his kingdom work, then people should be excited about what God will do with them. Gokey quipped, “If God could use a foolish person like me, you ought to be excited because he definitely can use you.” Gokey – who was joined on stage by his young daughter Victoria – finished his speech by thanking the audience and then thanking God one more time.

Gokey shared his thanks again later, writing on Instagram, “You guys are amazing! I got the honor of taking one of these home tonight because of all of you!! Thank you so much!!! Be sure to tune in to see all of your favorites performance next Sunday night on @tbn!”

Another big winner was Unplanned. The pro-life movie that shocked Hollywood with its success took home the “Film Impact Award” for its efforts in spreading awareness about the truth about abortion. Accepting the award for the movie was lead actress Ashley Bratcher and film producers Joe Knopp and Daryl Lefever.

While accepting the award, Bratcher made sure all credit was pointed to God, noting that the film was “ordained” by God. She said, “This movie, it may be called Unplanned, but nothing about it was unplanned. She continued, “God ordained every step of the way. And what you are seeing today, is what happens when you say 'yes' to God. Every single one of us said 'yes' to God, and now people's lives are being changed, and babies are literally being saved."

The K-Love Fan Awards will air on television on June 9, at 9 pm EST/8 pm Central on TBN.

Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Terry Wyatt/Stringer