In the days leading up to the 2026 GMA Dove Awards, Nashville was filled with special performances, gatherings and moments celebrating Christian music, but few settings could have felt more fitting for a night of worship than the historic Ryman Auditorium.

Elevation Worship took over the “Mother Church” for a special evening of praise ahead of the Dove Awards at Bridgestone Arena, with portions of the performance later featured during the awards telecast.

Our friend Wendy Scott was there in the room, and we asked her to share what the night felt like from the audience. What follows a fan’s eyewitness account of an evening that quickly became something much bigger than a show.

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Sunday morning worship has become a spiritual moment for millions of people all around the world. We sit in our church sanctuaries, ready to usher in the Holy Spirit with song and prayer. Some of those songs he hear and preformed by our worship teams are the encouraging words and melodies from Elevation Worship.

An evening with Elevation Worship was one of several events leading up to the 2026 Dove Awards, held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on October 6, 2026.

Elevation Worship’s performance at the Mother Church—the Ryman Auditorium—could not have been a more perfect way to begin a week showcasing musical acts that write and sing music to glorify God!

Members Chris Brown, Tiffany Hudson, Jonsal Barrientes, Jeanna Winders Barrientes, Isaiah Templeton, and Davide Mutendji are masters at worshiping the Lord. The minute their voices begin, you can feel the Holy Spirit entering the room. It’s an unbelievable experience that makes you want to draw closer to Jesus. Let down your guard. Feel vulnerable and fearless enough to worship the way God calls us to praise Him!

Elevation Worship takes you on what I personally call “The Jesus Journey.”

We begin with knowing Jesus through songs like “I Know a Name” and “Jesus Be the Name.”

When we surrender our hearts to the Lord and lay everything at His feet, we hear songs like “O Come to the Altar,”along with Elevation Rhythm’s “Washed” and “Goodbye Yesterday.”

When we need God’s strength and mercy to walk beside us, there are songs like “Same God,” “See a Victory,” “More Than Able,” and “God, I’m Just Grateful.”

Elevation Worship’s grand finale, “Praise,” gives you all the feels!

The Elevation Worship praise and worship experience allows you to reflect on the gratitude we need to lay at the feet of the Lord. It reminds us to hand over our fears, worries, anxiety, depression, and sadness by calling on Him through prayer and worship.

We live in a world that is broken and messed up. As Christians, we need to radiate God’s Word and His light into the world. That will speak and show truth. We need that more than ever!

Thank you, Elevation Worship, for your courage to speak Jesus and declare His name to so many!

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