Christian artist Forrest Frank is taking a stand for his beliefs, announcing that he will no longer attend or accept honors from any music award shows, including the Dove Awards and the Grammys.
The singer, whose latest album Child of God has been widely praised and earned him seven Dove Award nominations — including Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year — shared his decision in a heartfelt TikTok video titled “Convicted not to attend award shows for Christian music.”
“As Christians, it’s hard to know where the line in the sand is between being in the world and not of the world,” Frank said in the video. “And as a Christian artist, I know I kind of dress as if of the world. I kind of look like the world. My music can kind of sound like the world. So, where’s the line in the sand drawn?”
Frank said he felt personally “convicted” about receiving trophies for work that he believes belongs solely to God. “I will not receive a trophy for something that is from Jesus and for Jesus,” he said. “I was wrestling with this last year. I even said that on stage at the Dove Awards. I said, ‘I’m still struggling with the concept of receiving this award, but all glory to Jesus, every name will fade away, including mine, except for one name.’”
This year, he decided to go a step further. “I have decided to take a stance of nonparticipation,” Frank continued. “I hope to be an example to the youth that the trophy is our salvation. The trophy is that my name is listed in the Book of Life, and I get to have eternal life. What good is a piece of metal going to do compared to that?”
While many fans praised Frank for prioritizing faith over fame, his decision drew mixed reactions in the Christian music community. Gospel legend CeCe Winans commented, “Stay true to your convictions!!” However, not everyone agreed. Country and hip-hop artist Jelly Roll, who is nominated for his collaboration with Brandon Lake on Hard Fought Hallelujah, questioned the consistency of Frank’s stance.
“Won’t receive trophy for something from Jesus for Jesus but will take the profits from something from Jesus for Jesus,” Jelly Roll wrote on Instagram. “Maybe I’m missing something here lol.” Meanwhile, members of King’s Kaleidoscope suggested Frank could have avoided being nominated altogether by not submitting his music for consideration.
Despite the debate, Frank may already be turning his attention to something bigger. Worship leader Cory Asbury recently revealed that he and Frank have been discussing the idea of hosting a family-friendly concert to air during the Super Bowl Halftime Show, featuring Christian music as a faith-based alternative.
“My vision is this, blow it up huge,” Asbury said in a video call. “Let’s get a stadium. Let’s go crazy. While people are glorifying money and fame and sex and all kinds of stuff that we don’t want to see, we can lift up the name of Jesus.” If the project moves forward, it could mark a major cultural moment — a Super Bowl alternative where faith takes center stage instead of fame.
