Christian Media, Books, Music & Entertainment from The Atlanta Christian Web & Atlanta Christian Magazine

May 20, 2026

In This Issue

Christian Music & Entertainment

from The Atlanta Christian Web

Matthew West Talks Being ‘Good,’ And the Inspiration Behind His 9th Book

(Matthew West's single, "Good" is #1 for the second straight on this week's Billboard's CCM charts)

<<“Good” comes an astonishing 23 years after Matthew West’s debut single, “More.” The song is his own personal evolution, both in his faith and in his music. It's his 39th #1 song!

<<“I wrote this song thinking about, I’ve spent so much of my life — I’m a striver,” West tells Everything Nash. “I’m a worker. I got my work ethic from my dad, and I’ve always just been a hustler. I remember when I was in high school on my football team, I was like, ‘I’m not the most talented guy here, but I’m gonna outwork these guys.’ Then, when I moved to Nashville and joined the music industry, I’m on Music Row like, ‘There are more talented people here, so I need to outwork them.’ And that served me well in my life, my work ethic. But in a negative way. I feel like that wiring has spilled over into spiritual endeavors.”

<<“Good” says, “I’m good at always falling down / You’re good at never giving up / I’m good at getting turned around / You’re good at saying I’m still loved / I was wrecked by mercy / The day I understood / I’m not loved because I’m worthy / I’m loved because You’re good.”

<<West also released his ninth book, "Don’t Stop Praying: The God Who Hears Us Is Just a Breath Away." The title comes from his 2024 single, “Don’t Stop Praying,” which is also the title track of his latest album. It was West’s mother who first told him years ago that she felt like he would be writing not just songs, but books. At the time, West was unsure about her prediction. But years later, the father of two is grateful for another way to express his heart.

Click Here For The Full Story

Billboard Magazine's Current Top Contemporary Christian

Music Chart

#1 (LW1) - Matthew West

“Good"

(Single)
(2nd Week at #1)

#2 (LW2) - MercyMe

"Make It Well"
(from I Can Only Imagine2

Motion Picture Soundtrack)

#3 (LW3) - Peter Burton

“Where Would I Be"

(Single)

Click Here For This Week's Top 25

Contemporary Christian Music Songs

Metro Atlanta Christian Concerts & Family Events

Saturday, June 6

John Crist Live

at Gas South Arena

6400 Sugarloaf Parkway

Duluth, Georgia 30097

Atlanta born John Crist is one of today's fastest-rising stand-up comedians, earning more than one billion video views, more than 7.9 million fans on social media and nationally sold-out shows, continuously charting as one of Pollstar's Top 10 Global Touring Comedians. 7:00 p.m. (470) 639-8243

www.ticketmaster.com

Saturday, August 22

Crowder

at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

1311 Music Hall Rd,

Hiawassee, GA 30546

With more than 2.1 billion global streams, Crowder is one of the most influential voices in Contemporary Christian Music. 5 No. 1 radio singles, 5 GRAMMY nominations, and more than 20 Dove Award nominations (5 wins).

7:00 p.m. Ticket includes Georgia Mountain Fair admission (706) 896-4191

www.GeorgiaMountainFairgrounds.com

Click Here For All Upcoming Concerts and Links For More Information

Billboard Magazine's

Current Top

Gospel Music Chart

#1 (LW4) - Nia Allen

"Lord, I Love You" (Single)
(1st Week at #1)

#2 (LW1) - Mariah Carey

Feat. The Clark Sisters

"Jesus I Do"

(from Here For It All)

#3 (LW3) - The Group Fire

"I Can Count On You" (Single)

Click Here For This Week's Top 25

Gospel Music Songs

SGN Scoops Current Top 80 Southern Gospel Music Charts

Click Here For This Month's Top Songs

GABE POIROT

"18 Days In Heaven"

Gabe Poirot's new book, “18 Days In Heaven: Left My Body. I Met Jesus. What He Told Me Will Alter Your Eternity" entered the current Christian Booksellers' Top 50 List. at #2

<<When 20-year-old Gabe Poirot flatlined after a catastrophic skateboard accident, doctors prepared his family for the absolute worst. Blood poured from his ears as a traumatic brain injury plunged him into an 18-day coma. While machines sustained his body, Poirot claims his spirit left the intensive care unit and traveled straight into the throne room of God. His new memoir, "18 Days in Heaven," chronicles an afterlife encounter that is captivating readers worldwide.

<<Out of the Body "One moment, I was on the pavement, and the next, I felt a weightless transition," Poirot said in a recent interview. "I looked down and saw my friend praying over my unresponsive body, but I felt absolutely no fear. My senses suddenly became far more heightened and alive than anything on Earth."

<<Poirot describes being drawn upward by a living light through what he calls the "second heaven," where he became acutely aware of active spiritual warfare.

<<"I was a hypocrite, an addict, and prideful," Poirot wrote in the book. "Yet, every ounce of heaven's molecules exceeded my wildest dreams. I was taken into a city illuminated entirely by the glory of God."

<<Meeting the King The climax of Poirot’s journey was a face-to-face meeting with Jesus Christ. Unlike traditional artistic depictions, Poirot recalls an overwhelming, personal presence of unconditional love.

<<"I was face down in a holy place, completely stunned," Poirot recounted. "Jesus lifted my face and looked me in the eyes. He asked why I was concerned about what was already paid for. Looking at His wounds, I felt completely forgiven."

<<According to the memoir, Poirot was told that his earthly assignment was not yet finished. He was commanded to return and remind people to live with eternity in view.

<<The Aftermath Against medical expectations, Gabe woke from his natural and medically induced comas with his cognitive faculties completely intact.

<<Now an author and evangelist, he shares his story to dismantle the fear of death."I know what is waiting on the other side," he stated. "Heaven is real, and victory is your portion."

This Month's
Top Christian Books

#1 (LM #11) -

Jeremiah J. Johnston

“The Jesus Discoveries”

10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-to-Face with Jesus

#2 (LM New) -

Gabe Poirot

“18 Days In Heaven"

I Left My Body. I Met Jesus.

What He Told Me Will Alter Your Eternity

#3 (LM #1) -

John Bevere

“The King Is Coming”

It's Time to Prepare

for the Return of Christ

#4 (LM #3) - Sarah Young

“Jesus Calling”

Enjoying Peace In His Presence

#5 (LM #8) - Lee Strobel

“The Case For Christ"

A Journalist’s Personal Investigation

of the Evidence for Jesus

Click Here For The Full List of The Current Best Selling Christian Books

#1 (1) - The Bible In A Year

(with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

#2 (2) - Lakepointe Church -

Live Free

(with Josh Howerton)

#3 (3) - The Bible Recap

(with Tara Leigh-Cobble)

#4 (4) - followHIM

(with Hank Smith & John Bytheway)

#5 (5) - The Briefing

(with Albert Mohler)

Click Here For This Week's

Top 40 Christian Podcasts

Nia Allen Talks About Her #1 Gospel Music Single, "Lord, I Love You"

<<Dr. Nia Allen stands at the forefront of Gospel music as a multiple #1 Billboard-charting artist, songwriter, worship leader, minister and author. Her inspirational hits “Sunshine”, "Wait", "I'm In Love" and most recent release “Lord I Love You” have all topped the Billboard charts garnering significant success across the nation and establishing her as one of this generation's leading voices in inspirational music.

Click Here For The Full Interview

See the official music video of the #1 CCM song by Matthew West, “Good“ - Click Here

See the official lyric video of #1 Gospel Music song, "Lord, I Love You" by Nia Allen

- Click Here

See live performance at the Grand Ole Opry by MercyMe of the #2 CCM song,

"Make It Well" - Click Here

See the official lyric video of the #2 Gospel Music song, "Jesus I Do"

by Mariah Carey feat. The Clark Sisters - Click Here

Watch the official music video of the #3 CCM song, by Peter Burton,
"Where Would I Be - Click Here

See The Official Live Performance Video the #4 Gospel Music song by Fred Hammond & The Choir Room,
"Love Never Fails" - Click Here

See the official music video of this week's #4 CCM song by Phil Wickham,

"Homesick For Heaven" - Click Here

See a live performance of the #5 CCM song by Elevation Rhythm, "Washed" - Click Here

Hear the # Gospel Music song, "I Can Count on You" by Group Fire - Click Here

Hear Tye Tribbett with the #5 Gospel Music Song, "Holy You" - Click Here

See a live performance of the #1 Southern Gospel Music song,

by Tribute Quartet, "And Then" - Click Here

Click Here To Watch The Latest Top CCM & Gospel Music Videos

Helping Your Child Approach Anxiety, Bullying, and Identity

By Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family

<<Anxiety doesn’t have to be your story! Caroline Shankle and her mom, Melanie, open up about the real challenges facing teens – bullying, comparison, anxiety – and how to trust God with your future. You’ll be encouraged to “face your giants” with faith and courage, inspired by Caroline’s new devotional, "The Lion and the Bear."

<<John Fuller: Well, coming of age and today’s world brings a whole new set of challenges. And today on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, you’ll hear one young adult’s perspective on the pressures facing teens and young adults, and how to trust God for your future.

<<Jim: So often for young people, bullying is a hot-button issue for so many parents, and it’s really distressing for all of us if your kids are in that position. According to national surveys, bullying affects about 20% of kids ages 12 to 18. Cyberbullying is experienced by almost 60% of children. That’s not the only pressure that our young people are facing. Almost 40% report feeling uncertain about the future, anxious about important decisions, and afraid to fail.

<<Caroline: There’s a lot of different politics and dynamics of how you need to perform or what you need to say or how you should react to a certain situation. When you’re in friend groups where it’s an unhealthy dynamic and you don’t react the way a girl wants you to react, there becomes this thing of people wanna try to alienate you...how can I cut this girl out? And it's tough, especially with phones and stuff. Instead of just hearing about it in the hallways or never knowing, you’re looking on a Friday night and seeing all your friends hang out without you.

Click Here To Watch The Full Broadcast

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Call 770-596-6451 or email atlantachristian@comcast.net

Nate Bargatze says Christian upbringing inspired debut film ‘The Breadwinner’: 'I didn't want to get in trouble'

- Click Here

John Crist’s Hysterical Take on Kids with Biblical Names - Click Here

Braves' Michael Harris “Our little proof that God still answers prayers 🤍 'For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him' 1 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬ ‭- Click Here

CNN: Religion is ‘back in fashion’ in America. Here’s why ‭- Click Here

Phil Wickham Writes New Book, "Everyday Hallelujah:

Unlocking Deep Joy Through Everyday Acts of Worship" - Click Here

Hannah Harper wins ‘American Idol,’ closes finale with worship song, message of faith - Click Here

THE CHOSEN Star Lives to ‘Point Others Back’ to Jesus - Click Here