Pastor Mike Jr. Among Big Winners At 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards:

40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards - Press Room — Source: Jason Kempin / Getty

The 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards, hosted by BeBe & CeCe Winans, celebrated gospel music’s finest at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on August 16, 2025. The event, dubbed “Gospel Music’s Greatest Night,” aired on August 30 on the Stellar Network and August 31 on BET.

Pastor Mike Jr. emerged as the night’s biggest winner, sweeping all nine of his nominated categories. His accolades include Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for I Got Away EP, and Song of the Year for Amen. CeCe Winans also shone brightly, earning Female Artist of the Year and Praise and Worship Album of the Year for More Than This.

Other notable winners included The Group Fire, Ricky Dillard, and Dorinda Clark-Cole, each securing multiple awards. ADIA was named New Artist of the Year, while Vincent Bohanan & SOV took home Contemporary Choir of the Year.

The Stellar Awards continue to honor gospel music’s legacy, showcasing both legendary and emerging talents. For a complete list of winners, visit the Stellar Awards website.

Artist of the Year

WINNER: Pastor Mike Jr. (I Got Away EP)
CeCe Winans (More Than This)
Jason Nelson (You Belong: Live in Durham)
Kenny Lewis & One Voice (The Healing Project)
Tamela Mann (Live Breathe Fight)

Pastor Mike Jr. Among Big Winners At 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards: was originally published on myspiritdc.com

Song of the Year

WINNER: Amen – Pastor Mike Jr.
Clap My Way – Micah Lee
I Prayed for You (Said a Prayer) – MAJOR.
That’s My King – CeCe Winans
Yahweh ft. Melvin Crispell III – Jason Nelson

Pastor Mike Jr. Among Big Winners At 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards: was originally published on myspiritdc.com

Male Artist of the Year

WINNER: Pastor Mike Jr. (I Got Away EP)
Chandler Moore (Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles)
Deitrick Haddon (One Night in California)
Doc McKenzie (Run On)
Jason Nelson (You Belong: Live in Durham)

Pastor Mike Jr. Among Big Winners At 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards: was originally published on myspiritdc.com

Female Artist of the Year

WINNER: CeCe Winans (More Than This)
ADIA (On the Way)
Dorinda Clark-Cole (Determined)
Karen Clark-Sheard (Still Karen)
Lisa Page Brooks (The Grateful Chant)

Pastor Mike Jr. Among Big Winners At 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards: was originally published on myspiritdc.com

Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

WINNER: The Group Fire (About Last Night)
Deitrick Haddon ft. Damita & Tasha Page-Lockhart (Hold On 2 Your Faith)
FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, Marcus Cole) (Time Capsule – The Trilogy)
Ted & Sheri (You’ve Been So Faithful (Groove))

Pastor Mike Jr. Among Big Winners At 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards: was originally published on myspiritdc.com

New Artist of the Year

WINNER: ADIA (On the Way)
Bobbi Lane (Unmatched Grace)
Josh Bracy and Power Anointed (Favor)
Micah Lee (Clap My Way)
Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale (The Faith Journey)

Pastor Mike Jr. Among Big Winners At 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards: was originally published on myspiritdc.com

Album of the Year

WINNER: I Got Away EP – Pastor Mike Jr.
Live Breathe Fight – Tamela Mann
More Than This – CeCe Winans
The Healing Project – Kenny Lewis & One Voice
You Belong: Live in Durham – Jason Nelson

Pastor Mike Jr. Among Big Winners At 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards: was originally published on myspiritdc.com

Choir of the Year

WINNER: Ricky Dillard (When I Think)
Bishop S.Y. Younger (Worship in Brazil)
Chicago Mass Choir (Greater Is Coming)
The Mississippi Mass Choir (We Still Believe)

Pastor Mike Jr. Among Big Winners At 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards: was originally published on myspiritdc.com

Producer of the Year

WINNER: Michael McClure Jr. & David “DLo” Outing II (I Got Away EP)
Dana Sorey (You Belong: Live in Durham)
Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, Marcus Cole, Paul Wright III, and Ray Hammond (Time Capsule – The Trilogy)
J. Drew Sheard (Still Karen)
Stan Jones, Jerry Mannery, Jerry Smith, & David R. Curry Jr. (We Still Believe)