New UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart to Launch, Highlighting Growing Influence
The faith-based music scene in the UK is poised for a significant transformation with the unveiling of a new official singles chart. The chart, a collaboration between AStepFWD and The Official Charts Company, aims to formally acknowledge the impact of Christian and Gospel music in the broader UK music industry.
Set to make its debut at the end of January, the UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart represents a culmination of efforts by AStepFWD, which has been spotlighting artists through its independent UK Christian Charts for the past decade.
This initiative is anticipated to elevate the visibility of UK Christian and Gospel artists, positioning their work alongside other genres in officially recognized music charts. The new chart will highlight the genre’s diversity, encompassing worship, gospel, rap, afrobeat, and electronic music.
The announcement follows the recent StepFWD Awards 2025, celebrated last November at Hackney Church. Known as the UK’s sole exclusive awards for Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and Gospel, the event drew artists, industry leaders, and supporters nationwide.
As Christian and Gospel music continues to rank among the fastest-growing genres globally, the awards night was both timely and joyous. Elle Limebear was among the notable winners, securing three awards, including Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Welcome to the Bloodline. Her track Vulnerable also earned Song of the Year in the Indie/Folk/Acoustic category, a significant achievement given her dual roles of recording and parenting.
Emerging rap artist DC3 also stood out, winning New Artist of the Year and Rap Song of the Year for I Know. His expanding international audience underscores the genre’s widening reach beyond traditional listeners.
Additional winners included IMRHAN as Male Artist of the Year, Rend Collective as Duo/Group of the Year, and Gaise Baba, who was recognized as Global Talent of the Year. The event concluded with Honour Awards, celebrating enduring contributions to the UK Christian and Gospel music scene.
Tim Jupp was particularly acknowledged with the Outstanding Contribution Award for his pivotal role in founding the Big Church Festival, the UK’s largest Christian music event. This festival reached a milestone in August 2025, fully booking with over 30,000 attendees and international artists.
The ceremony also paid homage to Lifetime Achievement honorees, acknowledging their decades-long influence on the industry. In closing, AStepFWD founder O’Neil Dennis addressed the ongoing financial hurdles in maintaining platforms for Christian creatives, launching a fundraising effort to support future awards and industry growth. Over half of the £10,000 target has already been secured.
With the establishment of an official singles chart and ongoing investment in events and artist development, AStepFWD remains committed to fostering and amplifying Christian and Gospel talent across multiple genres and generations.
Additional information about the UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart and the 2026 StepFWD Awards is expected in the near future.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
