The Hope of Christmas

A host of young new female artists are making an impact on Christian music right now. Here are “thumbnail sketches” for nine of them. Franni Cash --Franni Cash was one of the lead singers of We The Kingdom until she left in 2023 to pursue a solo career. --We The Kingdom includes Franni's father Ed Cash, her brother Martin Cash, and her uncle Scott Cash Madison Watkins --2018 American idol semifinalist --after a successful mainstream music career left her "feeling empty" she "turned to God" and chose Christian music Megan Woods --Massachusetts native, who grew up in an abusive relationship and struggled with her self-worth until a friend convinced her Jesus is real. She went to church, studied the Word, started leading worship. --appeared at Nightvision 2026 Evelyn Cormier --27 yr old who grew up in New Hampshire --began performing in church at age 10 --appeared on Season 17 of American Idol (2019) Chevas Phillips --worship leader at Bethlehem Church in Atlanta. --formerly a singer in bars until she experienced a profound spiritual conversion following her husband's salvation COUNTRY MUSIC ARTISTS Haley Jones --26 year old independent artist from Jacksonville, Florida --performed at Cowboy Up For Christ in Montrose July 25 Holly Brand --country musician from Mississippi with Integrity Music Rachel Purcell --native of Muscle Schoals, Alabama (home of two famous recording studios from the 60s) --she also performs as a country musician under her maiden name Rachel Wammack --signed to Centricity Music, along with Lauren Daigle, Jordan Feliz, Aaron Shust CJ Prather --Georgia singer/songwriter (female) with a "southern rock meets worship" style

Canadian Vineyard worship leader Brian Doerksen died this week after a brief battle with stage 4 cancer. He was 60. Doerksen wrote " Come Now is the Time to Worship , plus Refiner’s Fire and Light the Fire Again among others. Doerksen grew up in British Columbia and joined the staff of Langley Vineyard Christian Fellowship during his early 20s, writing songs for Vineyard Music and later Integrity Music. He wrote his first hit, Come Now Is The Time To Worship , in 1997 after he moved to England . He was barely getting by at a small church when he and his wife learned that both of their children had Fragile X syndrome, a form of mental retardation. Doerksen realized they would need care for the rest of their lives. As he walked through London, he heard the phrase “Come, now is the time to worship.” He ran home and immediately wrote out the song. Within weeks, other churches were singing it, and soon it spread around the world. In 1998, Vineyard and Integrity Music released the live version (featuring Wendy Whitehead) to audiences worldwide, and the income allowed him to move home to Canada and raise his children. You can read the full story in the links above.

New music on KJOL explores themes of failure, redemption, revival, and asking God to shed His grace on thee. America The Beautiful Steven Curtis Chapman Chapman has teamed with Christian country musician Chris Janson for this patriotic classic embellished with Chapman’s original lyrics. Chapman says the song "offers a thoughtful commentary on the state of our nation, and calls for listeners to see beyond the lines that separate us, to listen more, and remember that we’re stronger together. Rooted in hope, gratitude, and the enduring ideals of America, it’s a timely reminder that freedom rings loudest and clearest as we choose to let grace, unity, and kindness guide us." Revival Jeremy Camp This song “continues Camp’s return to his Rock roots, with driving guitars, pounding drums, and Camp’s signature vocal. “Revival” is an anthem about surrender and renewal.” In Spite of Me Colton Dixon Dixon sings: “I hope you find the answers, I hope that you find peace, I'm praying your perspective, Isn't based on what you've seen, 'Cause I am just a sinner, Who has been set free And I hope you find Jesus, In spite of me.” Dixon explains: “What started as an open letter apology to those affected negatively by church people, ‘In Spite of Me’ quickly became my personal prayer for those directly around me. None of us are perfect, including myself. While I try to always do and say the right thing, sometimes I fall short. My hope is that my wife, kids, friends, and every single person I come in contact with find Jesus even in spite of my shortcomings. God I’m Just Grateful Chandler Moore This song has a long and rather complicated history of failure, recovery and redemption. Moore was a founding member of the Maverick City Music collective. But in 2023, he checked into a rehab facility to address his history of struggles with drugs and alcohol. (He says he has been sober since.) But then in 2025, he left Maverick after a dispute with the group’s former manager. He later wrote this song with Elevation Church pastor Steven Furtick and Pat Barrett, among others. It was released by both Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music. Even though I don't deserve it, You did it Even though I couldn't earn it, You give it Who am I that You keep me on Your mind? God, I'm just grateful for You All my life, You've been right here by my side, God, I'm just grateful for You

NOTE: to see the article featuring ALL the Nightvision artists, go here:  https://www.kjol.org/meet-the-nightvision-artists-2026 Anne Wilson says being a rebel means choosing God over social pressure. She has just released a book called Rebel: Following Jesus When the World Walks the Other Way . It comes on the heels of her 2024 album, also called Rebel. Wilson burst on the music scene in 2021 with the song “ My Jesus ,” inspired by the death of her 23 year old brother Jacob, who died in a car accident when Anne was just 15. Since then, she has had eight hit singles, most recently “God Story.” She says her book is a way of expanding on the message of her Rebel album. She told the Christian Post: “I realized I had so much more to say than what I could fit into a three-minute song. The whole topic is really about what it means to live as a Christian in today's world, to stand for the Gospel, to be bold in your faith and to take a stand for what you believe in." With her distinct voice, attractive appearance, and catchy songs, she could easily be a successful country music artist. But Wilson says "I'm not going to compromise my faith to fit country, and I'm not going to compromise my sound to fit Christian radio. This is who I am. I love Jesus. I love country music. I'm going to do both." When Anne Wilson takes the stage at Nightvision on Friday, June 5 at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, she hopes her audience will remember one thing: “Living life for Jesus is the best life you could live.” Rebel: Following Jesus When the World Walks the Other Way releases June 9.

Nightvision 2026 features a host of first-time artists. Returning artists include Katy Nichole (2022), while Blessing Offor and Jeremy Camp were here last year but their performances were lost due to the massive hailstorm which hit Friday afternoon. Here’s a quick look at each of this year’s lineup. Friday, June 5 Caleb & John Caleb Crino & John Secker Caleb studied piano at Belmont University in Nashville. John is a self-taught guitarist. They met through a mutual friend while performing with similar Christian artists. Megan Woods Massachusetts native, who grew up in an abusive relationship and struggled with her self-worth until a friend convinced her Jesus is real. She went to church, studied the Word, and started leading worship. Andrew Ripp Andrew Ripp has openly battled alcoholism and chronic anxiety and fear. He says his music is a means to “step into a battlefield” and put his anxieties in their place. He co-wrote "Rescue Story" with Zach Williams. It is a deeply personal testament for both of them about their transformation from addiction and struggle to redemption. Benjamin William Hastings A native of Northern Ireland, Hastings was a member of Hillsong Worship and Hillsong United. He wrote “100 Billion X (So Will I)”, recorded by Hillsong United, and Taya Smith (which has been viewed 300 million times on YouTube). Anne Wilson 24 year old Kentucky native whose song “My Jesus” became a breakout hit in 2021. It was inspired after the death of her 23 year old brother Jacob “who was my best friend” when she was 15. For more on Anne Wilson, see the new blog: " Anne Wilson is a Rebel " Saturday, June 6 Hopeful Hopeful is a southern California “indie alt rock band” formed by Randy James and his close friends who “shared the surf & skate culture.” whose aim is to “kick hopelessness in the teeth” with a message of faith in Jesus. Miles Minnick Minnick is a San Francisco “pioneering Christian Hip Hop artist blending faith and culture.” His rap career began at age 15, until his life was changed when he encountered God and became a Christian. Blessing Offor Blessing Offor was born in Nigeria, blind in one eye. He and his uncle moved to Connecticut when he was six in hopes of treating his glaucoma. But when he was 10, an accident left him blind in both eyes. He was a finalist on NBC's The Voice in 2014. His appearance at Nightvision 2025 was hailed out. Katy Nichole 25 yr old Katy Nichole (Litwiller) is a musician from Arizona. She wrote “In Jesus’ Name” in 2022 after three years of pain following surgery for scoliosis. She says that after the rods were removed, her back was healed. She first appeared at Nightvision in 2022. Jeremy Camp No other artist has made more appearances (six) at Nightvision than Jeremy Camp. He was scheduled to perform in 2025 but was hailed out (along with Blessing Offor). He lost his first wife, Melissa, to cancer in 2001. That inspired his song (and movie) “I Still Believe.” He later married musician Adrienne “Adie” Liesching in 2023.