Christian music powerhouse Brandon Lake and pop superstar Nick Jonas have landed at No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Digital Song Sales chart with their emotional collaboration, "The Author."
Listen to the song here.
According to Billboard, the song currently leads the Christian Digital Song Sales chart, which ranks the week's top-selling Christian songs based on verified digital purchases compiled by Luminate. The achievement marks a significant crossover moment, blending contemporary worship music with mainstream pop appeal.
Released earlier this month, "The Author" pairs Brandon Lake's passionate worship style with Nick Jonas' polished pop vocals in a reflective anthem centered on surrender, identity, and faith. The collaboration surprised many listeners when it was first announced, bringing together two artists from very different musical spaces. Yet the song has quickly resonated with audiences across both Christian and mainstream music circles.
Billboard previously noted that Lake and Jonas released "The Author" alongside a remix of Jonas' song "Hope," further highlighting the growing creative partnership between the two artists.
For Brandon Lake, the chart-topping success continues an extraordinary season in his career. The multi-award-winning worship leader has become one of the defining voices in modern Christian music through songs such as "Gratitude," "Praise You Anywhere," and "Hard Fought Hallelujah." Over the last several years, Lake has consistently crossed genre boundaries while maintaining a strong worship-centered message.
For Nick Jonas, the collaboration represents another step into spiritually themed music. Best known globally as a member of the Jonas Brothers, Jonas has occasionally spoken about faith and purpose throughout his career, but "The Author" marks one of his most direct entries into the Christian music space.
The success of the single also reflects a broader trend in Christian music, where collaborations between worship artists and mainstream performers are increasingly drawing large streaming numbers and chart success. In recent years, artists such as Jelly Roll, Forrest Frank, and Tori Kelly have all found audiences across both Christian and secular platforms.
At present, Billboard lists Forrest Frank's "OKAY!" behind "The Author" on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart, while Nick Jonas' "Hope" also remains among the top titles, giving Jonas a particularly strong presence on this week's ranking.
As "The Author" continues to gain momentum across streaming platforms, radio, and digital sales, the collaboration is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about Christian crossover releases of 2026.
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