Brandon Lake Brings Cowboy Church to CMA
Posted 4 months ago - Jun 18, 2026
From: Sarah NordbyIf you enjoy summer concerts, you may have noticed a shift happening in this year’s festival scene. Events once known for country music, DJ sets, and pop headliners are increasingly making room for Christian artists and worship experiences.
CMA Fest in Nashville offered one of the first glimpses of this trend. Throughout the week, artists like Jamie MacDonald and Leanna Crawford performed on stages across the city. The festival concluded with Cowboy Church, a special concert hosted by Brandon Lake that featured appearances from CeCe Winans, Dan + Shay, and Lainey Wilson.
More than just a concert, Cowboy Church became a powerful ministry opportunity. Lake shared his personal faith journey and invited attendees to encounter Jesus for themselves.
What organizers initially viewed as an experiment became the most successful event at CMA Fest. The main stage reached capacity, and additional stages were transformed into satellite viewing areas that quickly filled as well.
With the success of Cowboy Church, it’s no surprise that more Christian artists are stepping onto mainstream stages. Maverick City Music recently brought worship to families visiting Disney World, and Bonnaroo hosted worship gatherings and church services throughout the festival weekend.
As faith-filled moments continue to appear in unexpected places, one thing is clear: Christian music is finding new audiences far beyond traditional venues.
So, if you could see any Christian artist at a festival this summer, who would it be?
If you love a fun music experience, you may be interested in the Christian Rave that's touring now!