(OPINION) Contemporary Christian music (CCM) is experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity, breaking free from its traditional confines of Christian radio and insular networks to claim a significant presence on mainstream pop charts.

According to NPR, Holly Zabka, president of Provident, a Sony subsidiary dedicated to Christian music, describes this as “the most exciting time to be in Christian music.” With 25 years in the industry, she notes that the genre has never enjoyed such prominence.

The success of CCM is evident in its streaming growth, with Spotify reporting a 60% global increase in streams over the past five years. This growth mirrors trends seen in country music, where a younger, streaming-savvy audience is driving popularity.

For the first time in 11 years, two CCM songs—Forrest Frank’s “Your Way’s Better” and Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” featuring Jelly Roll—have charted simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 for weeks.

Xander Zellner, a senior music data analyst at Billboard, calls this a “special” moment, emphasizing the rarity of two Christian artists achieving crossover success concurrently.

Since 2013, fewer than a dozen CCM songs have transitioned from the Hot Christian Songs chart to the Billboard Hot 100, making this dual chart presence a significant milestone.

The rise of CCM can be attributed to its appeal to younger listeners, who are engaging with the genre through streaming platforms and social media.

Jaime Marconette, VP of Music Insights at Luminate, noted last year that CCM is following a trajectory similar to country music, where traditional audiences with conventional purchasing habits are being supplemented by a younger demographic.

Luminate’s 2024 mid-year report revealed that CCM experienced the fourth-largest growth among all genres, trailing only country music and a few others.

Zabka suggests that CCM’s unique messaging is a key factor in its appeal. Many young listeners, grappling with issues like depression, find solace in Christian music’s themes of salvation, redemption, and hope.

Songs like Brandon Lake’s “Daddy’s DNA” and Lauren Daigle’s “Thank God I Do” echo the emotional depth of depression anthems popularized by artists like Teddy Swims and Jelly Roll, but they offer a distinct perspective.

As Navarro, quoted in the NPR article, puts it, “Most songs make you depressed and get you in your feels. Christian music does the opposite.”

Unlike past trends where Christian music often mimicked mainstream pop—Zabka references the tendency to create a “Christian version of Harry Styles”—today’s CCM artists are carving out their own space.

Brandon Lake, for instance, incorporates experimental elements like abrupt key changes and whispered middle eights, allowing his music to stand on equal footing with secular artists.

Zabka emphasizes the industry’s responsibility to grow the genre both commercially and spiritually, pushing boundaries while maintaining authenticity.

This approach has enabled CCM to integrate naturally into mainstream channels, moving beyond its once self-contained circles.

The breakthrough of CCM is closely tied to artists’ savvy use of social platforms to engage younger audiences. Forrest Frank and Brandon Lake have leveraged these tools to extend their reach, much like their counterparts in other genres.

The NPR article notes that this strategy has helped CCM artists occupy “sparsely-held mainstream space,” a feat that was rare in previous decades when the genre relied heavily on Christian radio and niche markets.

The mainstream success of CCM reflects a broader cultural shift, where themes of faith and resilience resonate with a generation seeking meaning. As Zabka puts it, the genre is no longer waiting for listeners to come to it but is actively reaching out to them.

This proactive approach, combined with the genre’s emotional and spiritual depth, has positioned CCM as a formidable force in pop music.