Brandon Lake: People Are Tired Of ‘Slick Preachers’ And Are Hungry For The Authentic Gospel
Brandon Lake used his acceptance speeches at the 2026 K-LOVE Fan Awards to issue a direct, gospel-first challenge to artists and the church. He walked off stage with Artist of the Year and Male Artist of the Year honors, and he used the moment to call people back to plain, courageous proclamation. The message was simple: the world is starving for truth, not performance.
A Call To Artists
Lake reminded Christians in music and ministry that the stage is not just for hits but for heart-level invitations into Christ. He released the album King of Hearts last year, finished a national tour, and has worked alongside mainstream names to bring the gospel into new rooms. He says the result was tangible: he estimates about 100,000 concertgoers raised hands saying they had prayed to receive Christ.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said, adding that “God put on my heart to begin to share the gospel [each night] at the very end.” Those words landed because they came from someone who has chosen obedience over applause. This is a pastoral plea from a performer: speak clearly and invite people into life with Jesus.
“Share the gospel,” he told the audience, which was composed of fans and fellow artists. “It’s not hard—and honestly, you should share it in the broken [way]. Don’t be a slick pastor—people are over it, just share your heart.” That bluntness cuts through polish and points people to the Savior.
A Culture Hungry For Truth
Lake framed his work as relational evangelism, not PR. “There is a reason why the secular space is looking at ours, and they’re taking note,” he said. He urged fellow believers not to buy the lies of despair but to let their light shine brighter as darkness grows.
He described collaborations as opportunities to build trust and walk alongside people who are searching. “If the rooms you’re in are really bright, find a new room. If you carry the light of Christ inside of you, go find a room that’s a little darker, because the world needs you—they need your story. I’m having a lot of conversations with a lot of artists and a lot of very influential places, and y’all, you just would never believe how hungry people are for the truth, and there’s so many that are this close.
“Go across the street, go across the country. I don’t collaborate with all these crazy people so that I can have more fame. Trust me, I could care less. But I’m telling you, man, they’re hungry for the gospel, and they want to put their testimony on display. They just need a little encouragement. They need to sit down across the table, break some bread, and have somebody just pour some gas on their fire and tell them that it’s worth getting up on the stage and singing about their faith—they don’t have to hide it.
“And so, as long as you support me, listen, I’m going to be that guy that stays in the church, but I will never stop moving towards the lost. That’s what I’m about, that’s what I’m doing, that’s what you’re going to see.” Those are not celebrity soundbites; they are marching orders for the church to go where the need is greatest.
Lake also had a lighter moment, poking fun at modern rumor mills while reminding listeners that truth matters. “Everything on Facebook right now is fake,” he said to applause. “I’m not having twin girls. My wife’s alive. I didn’t go to space with Katy Perry, and I obviously don’t have a throat tattoo.”
Following is the full list of winners:
- Artist of the Year—Brandon Lake
- Group of the Year—MercyMe
- Female Artist of the Year—CeCe Winans
- Male Artist of the Year—Brandon Lake
- Song of the Year—“Left it in the River,” Jamie MacDonald
- Worship Song of the Year— “Homesick for Heaven,” Phil Wickham
- Breakout Single—“Get Behind Me,” Emerson Day
- Sports Impact—RobertAnthony Cruz (Coach RAC), Savannah Bananas
- Book Impact— “Hey Girl,” Anne Wilson
- Film Impact— “I Can Only Imagine 2”
- TV/Streaming Impact—“House of David,” Season 2
- Podcast Impact—“Whoa That’s Good,” Sadie Robertson Huff
The takeaway is clear and biblical: the church must speak plainly about sin and salvation, and believers must go into darker rooms with the light of Christ. When we trade slickness for honesty and fear for courage, lives are changed and the kingdom grows. So pick up the mantle, tell the story, and let God do the saving.
View this post on Instagram