At just 14 years old, Tate Butts is proving age is no barrier to making a massive impact in Christian music.
The South Carolina teenager has gone from posting videos online to becoming one of the genre's hottest rising stars, racking up hundreds of thousands of social media followers, landing on the Billboard charts, sharing the stage with Brandon Lake, and even recording with chart-topping artist Forrest Frank.
Now, with the release of his debut seven-track EP, Something To Believe In, Butts is quickly becoming one of Christian music's most exciting new names.
His breakout single, "My Defender," introduced him to audiences in late 2025, debuting on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart and launching a whirlwind season that has included viral performances and packed crowds.
But despite the rapid success, the teenage singer says God has been teaching him that life isn't just about celebrating the mountaintop moments.
"I think it's teaching me to not only celebrate at the highs, but also celebrate at the lows," Butts shared. "Not everything's always going to be as crazy... but it's still going to be a lot of fun."
Butts believes his musical talent comes with a purpose.
"I felt an anointing from God," he said, explaining that he wants to use his gift to glorify Him rather than simply chase fame.
His new EP tackles struggles many young people face every day, including anxiety, loneliness, insecurity, and identity. Songs like "When I Pray" and "Shadow" offer messages of hope, while one track carries especially deep personal meaning.
"Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda" was inspired by the death of his grandmother and reflects the regret of words left unsaid.
"I didn't really say I love you," Butts admitted. "I didn't really talk to her as much as I should have. That's probably my most personal song."
The young artist's online presence has exploded over the past year, with nearly 700,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. Butts says he views every post as another opportunity to reach someone with the Gospel.
"You never know what they're about to go do," he said. "That one video could change their life."
One of the biggest turning points in his career came after Brandon Lake invited him to perform an acoustic version of "Hard Fought Hallelujah." The performance quickly went viral-and caught the attention of Forrest Frank.
Frank personally reached out, praised Butts' videos, and soon invited him to collaborate on "Somebody Prayed," a powerful anthem celebrating the prayers of parents and grandparents.
The collaboration eventually led to an unforgettable moment when Butts joined Frank onstage in Nashville before a crowd of around 25,000 people.
"I was freaking out," the teenager recalled, saying it was especially moving to see so many young people openly worshipping God together.
Offstage, Butts said Frank is every bit as authentic as fans see online.
"He's what you see on the internet," he said. "How nice, how genuine he is-he's just like that in person."
Both Frank and Brandon Lake have also become mentors, helping him grow not only as a performer but also in his Christian walk.
"They're helping me learn more Christianity-wise," Butts said. "They're helping me step out of my comfort zone."
For years, Butts questioned whether anyone would take him seriously because of his age. Now, he's embracing the opportunity to inspire an entire generation.
"I thought there weren't really many people doing stuff at my age," he admitted. "If I'm going to do something, I need to do it now."
While he'd love to collaborate with artists like Justin Bieber or Bruno Mars someday, Butts says his biggest dream has nothing to do with awards or chart success.
He simply hopes people will remember him as someone who pointed others to Jesus.
"I hope people say I brought a lot of other people closer to the Lord," he said. "That I was one of the voices of the youth that was touching others' hearts."
