CeCe Winans and Shirley Caesar Win Grammy for Best Gospel Performance at 68th Annual Awards

CeCe Winans and Shirley Caesar took home the Grammy for Best Gospel Performance/Song at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Their collaboration "Come Jesus Come" beat out a competitive field in a category that drew significant attention from the gospel community. The win marked another milestone for Winans, who is already one of the most decorated artists in gospel music history.

Darrel Walls and PJ Morton won Best Gospel Album for "Heart of Mine," while Brandon Lake, featuring country artist Jelly Roll, won Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for "Hard Fought Hallelujah." The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir took Best Roots Gospel Album for "I Will Not Be Moved (Live)."

The gospel and Christian music categories drew broader mainstream attention this year, partly because of Jelly Roll's crossover presence. The country and hip-hop artist has spoken publicly about his Christian faith and his collaboration with Lake brought gospel music to audiences who might not typically follow the genre.

Israel and New Breed won Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for "Coritos Vol. 1," a project that blends traditional worship with Latin musical influences.

The wins come as the gospel music industry is experiencing a period of growth. On-demand audio streams for Christian and gospel music in the United States rose 18.5 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to industry tracking data.

Earnest Pugh and Kierra Sheard were also named honorees for the 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, recognizing their long-term contributions to the genre.