Another year of great music has come and gone. 2024 saw some of Christian music’s most celebrated acts serve up a steady stream of consistent hits. Perhaps, most notably, the past 12 months also welcomed a new guard of Christian artists who emerged with songs that quickly dominated our playlists, giving us hope that the future of Christian music looks very bright. Before we turn the page on 2024, we’d be remiss if we didn’t take some time to reflect on the singles that soundtracked our recent memories. While the 15 songs below undoubtedly shaped the musical landscape of 2024, they are simply a snapshot of an expansive banner year in Christian music. We’re serving up the full list during K-LOVE’s 2024 Year-End Countdown, hosted by your favorite K-LOVE DJs, on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Be sure to tune in to see how your favorite songs from 2024 ranked. Now, without further adieu, here’s a little preview of some of the biggest songs of 2024 that hold a special place in our hearts and a significant spot on our year-end countdown.
“Praise,” Elevation Worship (feat. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore)
Spending more than 30 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart, Elevation Worship’s “Praise” is undoubtedly the biggest song of 2024. Penned by an all-star roster of songwriters that includes Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Cody Carnes, Brandon Lake, Chandler Moore and Pat Barrett, the celebratory declaration helped fuel the collective’s inaugural K-LOVE Fan Award win for Group of the Year. Additionally, “Praise” garnered a Dove Award for Worship Recorded Song of the Year, collected a trio of Billboard Music Awards and earned a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. Elevation Worship also performed the vibrant hit on the “TODAY” show with Hoda & Jenna.
“Faithfully,” TobyMac
Written in the wake of losing his oldest son, “Faithfully” became a beacon of hope for TobyMac and his family as the hitmaker slowly began to find his way back to music following the sudden passing of Truett back in 2019. In turn, it became an anthem of resilience for fans walking their own road of suffering. Hailing from his landmark album, “Life After Death,” the dark, mid-tempo ballad painted a picture of a father forever marked by an unimaginable grief juxtaposed with the faith Toby so passionately clings to. Fans honored his firstborn’s memory by naming “Faithfully” Song of the Year at the 11th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards.
“Made For More,” Josh Baldwin (feat. Jenn Johnson)
Josh Baldwin proved there’s power in simplicity when his congregational-friendly chorus became one of the most-sung refrains of 2024. Helping us find our identity solely in Christ, the acoustic-led worship offering affirmed we are each made on purpose for a purpose. “I know who I am because I know who You are,” Baldwin asserts in the first verse’s opening line. Featuring notable background vocals from Jenn Johnson, “Made For More” became Baldwin’s first No. 1. The pair performed the slow-burning anthem at this year’s K-LOVE Fan Awards.
“That’s Who I Praise,” Brandon Lake
At the fervent request of fans, Brandon Lake dropped “That’s Who I Praise” earlier than anticipated after an unfinished clip of the track caught fire on TikTok. A K-LOVE First, “That’s Who I Praise” namechecks a myriad of biblical heroes, cramming as many Scripture-backed stories into the lyrics as possible. Referencing David, Moses, Mary, Daniel and other men and women of extraordinary faith, the fist-pumping pop selection also acknowledges the many characteristics of God, as He reveals Himself to not just be a mountain mover, but also a breaker of chains and a Savior capable of impossible things. Lake penned the articulate original alongside Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings, Micah Nichols and Zac Lawson.
“I Thank God,” Housefires (feat. Blake Wiggins, JWLKRS Worship & Ryan Ellis)
Housefires’ frenetic “I Thank God” summited the charts with an immense amount of gratitude. A collaboration of epic proportions, the exuberant anthem features Housefires members Ryan Ellis and Blake Wiggins. Additionally, it helped introduce the world to JWLKRS Worship with the inclusion of vocals from the collective’s Noah Schnacky. The upbeat track is a careful blend of genres, melding modern pop with elements of house and world music — all culminating to create a celebratory expression of worship. The collaboration easily transitions from Sunday morning setlist staple to Wednesday night youth group soundtrack, making it one of the year’s most buzzed-about songs.
“Take It All Back,” Tauren Wells (feat. Davies & We The Kingdom)
Ascending to No. 1, “Take It All Back” swiftly became one of the biggest hits of Tauren Wells’ career to date. The singer, songwriter and pastor enlisted the help of hip-hop heavyweight Davies and multigenerational family band We The Kingdom, delivering a searing one-two punch to the devil himself. “I think people are tired of letting the enemy steal, kill and destroy the things they value in life,” Wells says of the message behind the chart-topping track. “Many times, we can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. This song is a faith response! A response of victory and determination to believe God against all odds.”
“Counting My Blessings,” Seph Schlueter
Out of the gate, Seph Schlueter saw massive success with his debut single, “Counting My Blessings.” The gratitude-filled original earned the newcomer a Breakout Single of the Year trophy at the K-LOVE Fan Awards, as well as a pair of GMA Dove Award nominations. So far, the Ohio-based artist has only released a handful of songs, which he curated to form a brief EP in the first quarter of 2024. After spending the year on the road with Danny Gokey, Mac Powell, Tasha Layton, Matt Maher and Consumed By Fire, he’s poised to drop his full-length debut in 2025, as well as headline his first tour. Moreover, he’ll appear at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre and New York’s Beacon Theatre as part of K-LOVE’s “Landmarks” concert series next year.
“Don’t Stop Praying,” Matthew West
More than simply the title of his most recent song to summit the charts, “Don’t Stop Praying” was the namesake of Matthew West’s latest LP and his headlining tour this year. Furthermore, “Don’t Stop Praying” became an anthem for a movement, led by West, that encouraged people far and wide to persevere in prayer. The prolific lyricist even recorded a Spanish version of his original song with Miel San Marcos. “I have always aimed to put songs into the world that hit people’s hearts with a message they needed to hear, and the minute this song was written, I felt in my heart that this was a message for our world right now,” West shares. “I hope we can all be reminded to pray for our nation. The Bible tells us that we have a God who hears us when we call out to Him. So whatever it is you’re praying for, and no matter how long you’ve been praying, don’t stop!”
“Firm Foundation (He Won’t),” Cody Carnes
Cody Carnes released an initial recording of “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” in 2021, and in 2024, the song is still going strong. The anthem’s longevity lies in its universal appeal to fight fear with faith. The respected worship leader wrote “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” on the verge of a panic attack a year into the pandemic. “I had a lot of anxiety and fear of the future. I had that feeling of, ‘God, where are You?’” he reveals. “So as I was dealing with those emotions, one morning I woke up and just felt like I needed to sing my way out of that.” The chart-topping track also titles Carnes’ fifth album and second live project and remains a standout moment during his live set as he continues to lead the song all around the world.
“That’s My King,” Cece Winans
Against a backdrop of dance-worthy beats, CeCe Winans testified to the unchanging character of Christ on “That’s My King.” The Gospel music trailblazer reviews our Heavenly Father’s consistent attributes, giving Him complete credit for every blessing that comes from above and assessing the full spectrum of His undeniable power at work in our daily lives across a tribal melody primed for praise and adoration. The reigning GMA Dove Award Artist of the Year recorded the hit for her GRAMMY®-nominated “More Than This” album, which bowed in the spring. At 60, the legendary artist continues to make an unprecedented resurgence, with “That’s My King” cementing her staying power as she adds to a celebrated legacy that already includes more awards than any other female Gospel artist in history. As recently announced, Winans will headline Sunday Morning Worship during next year’s K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend.
“Good Day,” Forrest Frank
Forrest Frank was one of 2024’s biggest success stories, thanks — in part — to bouncy optimistic pop jam “Good Day.” The sunny original earned the buzzworthy newcomer his first K-LOVE Fan Award nomination and won him a pair of GMA Dove Awards: one for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year and a second trophy for New Artist of the Year. Meanwhile, Frank’s debut project, “Child of God,” on which “Good Day” appears, garnered the CCM riser his inaugural GRAMMY® nod. After selling out mid-size venues across the nation in 2024, the viral sensation gets a massive upgrade to arenas in 2025, as he continues to tour in support of “Child of God.”
“I Believe,” Phil Wickham
Phil Wickham brought the title-cut of his GRAMMY®-nominated project, “I Believe,” to radio in 2024. As the follow-up to chart-topper “This Is Our God,” the explosive “I Believe” continues to be a standout moment during Wickham’s energetic live show. The father of four spent time on the road this year headlining his “I Believe Tour,” as well as the second consecutive installment of his collaborative “Summer Worship Nights” trek with Brandon Lake. Ever the innovator, the K-LOVE Fan Award-winning artist reimagined his entire “I Believe” record — which picked up a Dove for Worship Album of the Year — by stripping his heavily produced pop down to a vibey, atmospheric offering praised by fans and critics alike. Wickham is set to reprise his popular “Singalong Tour” alongside Kristian Stanfill and Cody Carnes in 2025.
“Lead On Good Shepherd,” Patrick Mayberry (feat. Zahriya Zachary)
Patrick Mayberry unearthed his first No. 1 with “Lead On Good Shepherd.” After two decades of leading worship, the “Holy Spirit Come” singer discovered God doesn’t only show up in life-altering instances of epic breakthrough. In fact, the father of four has come to find that, more times than not, the seemingly ordinary seasons are just as miraculous. The country-tinged single appears on Mayberry’s full-length debut, “Wild Faith.” Recording different versions with newcomer Zahriya Zachary and consistent hitmaker Crowder, Mayberry’s “Lead On Good Shepherd” merged his lyrical aptitude with his uncanny ability to pen songs that are both thoughtful and easy to sing. “I’m choosing to follow Jesus today,” Mayberry says in response to the message of the song. “In a world where everything is vying for my attention and can become such a distraction, I just want to choose to follow Jesus! Step by step, day by day.”
“The Prodigal,” Josiah Queen
Josiah Queen’s breakout hit, “The Prodigal,” earned the Florida native a parade of accolades across 2024. From K-LOVE Fan Award and Dove Award nominations to headlining his first tour, the title-cut of his debut album propelled the newcomer’s swift ascent and became one of the biggest viral hits of the year. The folky, acoustic-driven gem takes its lyrical cues from the biblical account found in Luke 15 where the wayward son goes out into the world in search of wealth and notoriety. Eventually, he discovers the world’s definition of “success” will never fully satisfy and finds his way back home, running into the arms of his patient father, who bestows gifts on his youngest son and throws a party in his honor. It’s a cautionary tale, of sorts, that’s both familiar and convicting; and it’s a well-known story that indelibly inspired Queen’s celebrated radio offering.
“Still Waters (Psalm 23),” Leanna Crawford
Showcasing Leanna Crawford’s warm, inviting vocal and lyrical aptitude, “Still Waters (Psalm 23)” serves as the title selection of the newcomer’s 14-track full-length debut. A balm for anxiety, “Still Waters (Psalm 23)” was inspired by the Washington state native’s great aunt, who, on the cusp of going blind in her 40s, decided to memorize the majority of the Bible. She even namechecks this heroine of faith in the passionate ballad’s first verse. “This song has been so special to me as it was inspired by my Great Aunt Maurine. I got to meet her at 103-years-old, and even then she could recite almost the entire Bible, and she was still impacting people all around her,” Crawford shares. “My hope and prayer with this song is that you will feel peace with these lyrics and be inspired to hold God’s Word deeply in your heart.”
Listen to K-LOVE’s 2024 Year-End Countdown on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. CT and again on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. CT.
