NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 10, 2026) The Gospel Music Association (GMA) will introduce a new honor at the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, recognizing an organization whose work is creating meaningful, faith-driven impact beyond the music industry. The Community Impact Award for Peace & Purpose, presented by Jesus Calling will make its debut during this year’s ceremony, with God Behind Bars named as its inaugural recipient. Emmy Award-winning television personality Julie Chen Moonves, longtime host of Big Brother and former co-host of The Talk, will introduce and present the honor.
Inspired by the heart and legacy of the late Sarah Young, author of the best-selling Jesus Callingdevotional franchise, the honor celebrates organizations bringing hope, purpose and the message of Jesus to people and communities in need. God Behind Bars is dedicated to introducing incarcerated individuals and their families to Jesus and reaching one of the most unchurched populations in the United States, with approximately 1.2 million people incarcerated at any given time. Through worship, community and discipleship, the ministry helps individuals grow their faith, heal trauma and emotional wounds, break cycles of addiction and dysfunction, and prepare for a transformed life beyond prison.
“Prison ministries have always held a special place in my heart,” shares Chen Moonves. “As someone who has had their life touched by Jesus Calling, I am so very grateful, humbled and honored to have the privilege of presenting this first-ever honor to God Behind Bars. They bring the hope, love and promises of Jesus to people who often feel hopeless and forgotten about. But hope is a choice…and it’s undeniable when you choose Jesus first. He is always calling us.”
The honor comes at a significant moment for the Jesus Calling brand, which surpassed 50 million copies sold worldwide this past year and is now available in more than 35 languages. Published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, the devotional series from the late Sarah Young continues to invite readers into daily moments of stillness, Scripture and deeper connection with God. First published in 2004, Young’s writings grew out of her personal prayer journaling and were rooted in Scripture and her lifelong love for Jesus. Today, Jesus Calling has become a cherished resource across generations and denominations, with well-known voices including Amy Grant, Reba McEntire, Rita Wilson, Max Lucado, CeCe Winans, Chris Tomlin, Savannah Guthrie, Terry Bradshaw, Ann Voskamp, Kathie Lee Gifford and Zach Williams sharing its impact on their lives.
The connection between Jesus Calling and God Behind Bars offers a powerful example of the devotional’s reach into unexpected places. Through the God Behind Bars app, Jesus Calling has become one of the most-read devotionals among incarcerated users, demonstrating how its message of hope and faith continues to reach people navigating some of life’s most challenging circumstances.
The impact of Jesus Calling has continued to expand beyond books through children’s and teen editions, seasonal devotionals and additional titles, as well as a popular podcast approaching 500 episodes and a television series on UP Faith & Family featuring personal testimonies of faith in daily life.
The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards will celebrate the best in Christian and Gospel music, with eight-time Dove Award winner Tauren Wells returning to host for the fourth consecutive year. Presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The show will broadcast exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App Friday, October 9, at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET, with a rebroadcast airing Friday, October 16, at the same times. Fans can also listen on SiriusXM’s The Message (Channel 65) during the October 9 simulcast.
For more information on Jesus Calling visit www.jesuscalling.com and for the Dove Awards, please visit www.doveawards.com.
ABOUT JESUS CALLING: Jesus Calling has sold more than 50 million units across more than 35 languages since its 2004 publication. The Jesus Calling brand includes children’s devotionals, Bible storybooks, journals, seasonal books, a quarterly print and digital Jesus Calling magazine, the Jesus Callingpodcast, the Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith television program, and an app available on both Apple and Android platforms. For additional information visit JesusCalling.com.
ABOUT THOMAS NELSON: Thomas Nelson is a world-leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational products for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, curriculum, and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit ThomasNelson.com.
About Gospel Music Association & Foundation: Since 1964, the Gospel Music Association has existed to expose, promote and celebrate the Gospel through music, believing a song can carry that message as far and as wide as any sermon. The GMA serves the Christian music community by equipping artists and industry professionals at every stage of their calling through education, advocacy and connection. The organization also honors the legacy of those who paved the way while championing the next generation of creators carrying the Gospel forward. Through broadcasts like the GMA Dove Awards, now in its 57th year, the GMA puts that mission on stage, celebrating excellence across the Christian music genre while reaching millions around the world with music that points to Christ.
For more information about the Gospel Music Association, visit www.gospelmusic.org. Join the GMA social communities on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube and LinkedIn.
