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 Calling devotional 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, additional titles, 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 on 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.
