BREAKING NEWS
News 1: ELLE LIMEBEAR HOLDS UK CHRISTIAN & GOSPEL NO. 1
“Give Me Joy” Remains at the Top for a Second Week
British worship artist Elle Limebear has retained the No. 1 position on the Official UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart with “Give Me Joy.”
The latest chart covers 7–13 August 2026 and ranks recent Christian and gospel singles by British artists using UK streams and sales. “Give Me Joy” remains at the summit in its second chart week, while Westwashere’s “More Than Enough” stays at No. 2 and Min Adeoluwa’s “Altar Call” rises to No. 3.
One of the week’s strongest movers is New Wine Worship & Joe Hardy’s “Adoration,” which jumps from No. 11 to No. 5. Diana Hamilton enters the chart at No. 6 with “Nyame Banbofo (God the Protector),” while NewDay’s “Make Way” debuts at No. 9.
News 2: Marvin Sapp Partners With Roc Nation for Restoration
Gospel veteran Marvin Sapp has entered a new distribution partnership with Roc Nation for his forthcoming 17th album, Restoration.
The album is expected later this year, while its first single, “He’s Not Finished,” is scheduled for release on 21 August.
Sapp describes the partnership as an unexpected full-circle development in his career. The project will be his ninth live recording and is being positioned around themes of restoration, struggle and triumph.
News 3: Stellar Awards Countdown Begins
There is now just one week to go until the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards takes over the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 15 August.
Kirk Franklin will host under the theme “Feels Like Home.” Confirmed performers include Kierra Sheard, Jekalyn Carr, Darrel Walls, Aaron Cole and others, while Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Pastor Mike Jr. are among this year’s special honorees.
The ceremony will later air on the Stellar Network and BET.
News 4: Pope Leo XIV Announces First Latin American Journey as Pontiff
Pope Leo XIV will make his first papal visit to Latin America from 6–17 November, travelling through Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
The Peru portion carries particular significance because Leo spent decades in the country as a missionary and Church leader and served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 until 2023.
Planned destinations include Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa.
The visit reflects the increasingly international travel programme of the new pontificate and will reconnect Leo with communities central to his own ministry before becoming pope.
