Christian Music Gains Attention With Billboard Hot 100 Hits

Christian music may be starting to make an impact in the secular world. Two songs – “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake and “Your Way’s Better” by Forrest Frank – are ranked in the latest Billboard Hot 100.

Frank’s album “Child of God” also has dominated the Top Christian Albums chart, spending 34 weeks and counting at No. 1, making it the fifth-longest-leading No. 1 album this century. He released the set’s follow-up, “Child of God II,” on May 9.

Christian music historically has had a limited presence on the Hot 100, according to “Billboard.” Dating to when Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart adopted its current multi-metric methodology — blending U.S. streams, radio airplay and sales — 52 Christian songs have charted on both the Hot 100 and Hot Christian Songs. Two additional Christian tracks are climbing “Billboard’s” Bubbling Under Hot 100 ranking, which lists the 25 songs just below the Hot 100 that haven’t yet debuted.

For Provident Label Group, which finished 2024 as “Billboard’s” No. 1 Top Christian Label and whose roster included Lake and genre powerhouse Elevation Worship, pivoting their marketing efforts to younger demographics has been key to their success.

“Over the past few years, we’ve focused on investing in the future of the genre instead of just seeking to repeat past successes,” said Mat Anderson, the company’s marketing and brand strategy vice president. “For Christian music to thrive in the next five to 10 years, we must attract younger audiences seeking sonically diverse music that authentically reflects their faith and life experiences. We’ve partnered with young artists who offer unique perspectives, enabling them to shape the genre’s future rather than molding them to fit its past.

“This approach by Provident and others has been highly successful, as the genre’s rapid growth over the past three years demonstrates that Christian music is resonating with new audiences and reengaging previous ones.”

–Alan Goforth