Curb | Word Entertainment’s Francesca Battistelli earned the GMA Dove Award for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for “God Is Good” at the 53^rd Annual GMA Dove Awards, which aired exclusively on TBN and the TBN app on October 21. The win marks Battistelli’s 7^th career GMA Dove Award win. Listen to the winning track HERE.

“It’s always an honor to win a Dove, but it’s extra special when it’s for a song that means so much to me,” shares Battistelli. “I’m thankful to see that ‘God Is Good’ has impacted others in a meaningful way and excited to see how the Lord continues to use it!”

“God Is Good,” which was Battistelli’s first new music offering since her second full length Christmas album, This Christmas, can also be found in God’s Not Dead; We the People, a film released in 2021 in which Battistelli has a starring role.

Battistelli also shares of the song, “The last few years have shown me that no one is immune to difficult times. They are actually promised for the believer. Having a song to point to as a reminder of God’s faithfulness is helpful, and this song in particular has been a huge comfort when ‘tears fall.’ I hope you are encouraged that no matter what you’re facing today, if you’re in Christ, it’s all for His glory and your ultimate good. What a promise! God is always good.”

This Christmas season, fans can catch Battistelli on NewSong’s “The Very Merry Christmas & More Tour” – find more information HERE. Fans can also hear her alongside Sanctus Real on current radio single, “Won’t Let Me Go” – listen to the single HERE.

It’s certainly an exciting time for GRAMMY Award-winning CCM artist Francesca Battistelli. This week, she took to social media to announce a new baby AND new music are on the way.

Francesca and husband Matthew Goodwin are expecting their sixth child, due in February 2022. “We are so honored and thrilled that God would bless us with another precious baby,” Battistelli posted. “Psalm 127:3 says children are blessing from the Lord, and we are incredibly thankful for this little baby!” The couple publicly shared the baby news on their 12 year wedding anniversary!

Fans can also expect a new single from the Grammy winner in less than two weeks. “God Is Good” will be available everywhere on September 10th. “I wrote this song several years ago for a friend who went through a devastating loss. It’s a song of hope,” Battistelli explained. “Through all the ups and downs of life, one thing remains constant…that our God is GOOD!”

“God Is Good” will be featured in her upcoming Pinnacle Peak Pictures feature film, God’s Not Dead: We the People, premiering in theaters nationwide in Fall 2021. God’s Not Dead: We the People is the next chapter in the popular franchise that started with God’s Not Dead in 2014. The inspirational drama centers around a riveting fight for freedom that starts in the heart of the country, and runs to the corridors of our nation’s Capital Washington, DC. It prompts audiences to ask the compelling question: if your individual liberties are threatened . What Would You Do? The plot parallels current news headlines regarding the challenge against the freedom of speech and religious liberties as the fundamental right to educate children.

Pinnacle Peak Pictures, formerly Pure Flix Entertainment, a leading independent faith and family film studio announces the release date and trailer debut for God’s Not Dead: We the People premiering in theaters nationwide Fall 2021. The trailer is now available at www.GodsNotDead.com. God’s Not Dead: We the People is the next chapter in the popular franchise that started with God’s Not Dead in 2014. That film became one of the most profitable faith films with a $1.5MM budget and grossed over $65MM at the box office.

The inspirational drama centers around a riveting fight for freedom that starts in the heart of the country, and runs to the corridors of our nation’s Capital Washington, DC. It prompts audiences to ask the compelling question: if your individual liberties are threatened . What Would You Do? The plot parallels current news headlines regarding the challenge against the freedom of speech and religious liberties as the fundamental right to educate children.

The cast includes: Isaiah Washington (Grey‘s Anatomy), David A.R. White (GOD’S NOT DEAD, Evening Shade), William Forsythe (DICK TRACY), Antonio Sabato. Jr, (General Hospital, THE BIG HIT), Jeanine Pirro (FOX News Justice with Judge Jeanine), and GRAMMY Award-winning CCM artist Francesca Battistelli.

“We feel honored to provide our faithful audience another installment in the God’s Not Dead franchise that provides a compelling, timely, and convicting message,” says Pinnacle Peak Pictures founding partner Michael Scott. “The themes in this film reflect news headlines and encourage believers to remain strong in their fight to protect their spiritual rights and God-given freedoms.”

God’s Not Dead: We the People is directed by Vance Null and written by Tommy Blaze, Cary Solomon, and Chuck Konzelman. Brent Ryan Green is the producer with executive producers David A.R. White, Michael Scott, and Jim Ameduri.

FILM SYNOPSIS: The God’s Not Dead franchise continues in God’s Not Dead: We the People as Reverend Dave (White) is called to defend a group of Christian homeschooling families. He finds himself taken aback by the interference of the government, and believing that their right to educate their own children is a freedom worth fighting for. Reverend Dave is called to Washington DC to testify in a landmark congressional hearing that will determine the future of religious freedom in our country for years to come.

CAST:
Congressman Daryl Smith: Isaiah Washington (Grey‘s Anatomy)
Reverend Dave Hill: David A.R. White (GOD’S NOT DEAD, Evening Shade)
Mike McKinnon: Antonio Sabato. Jr, (General Hospital, Melrose Place, THE BIG HIT)
Rebecca McKinnon: Francesca Battistelli (GRAMMY Award-winning CCM artist, SOUL SURFER)
Robert Benson: William Forsythe (DICK TRACY)
Judge Neely: Jeanine Pirro (FOX News Justice with Judge Jeanine)
Jude: Benjamin Onyango (GOD’S NOT DEAD, TEARS OF THE SUN)

“Defender” was originally written by Bethel Music vocalist Steffany Gretzinger with Rita Springer and John-Paul Gentile. Springer recorded it for her 2017 album Battles.

Francesca Battistelli was taken by the lyrics and started using the song during worship at her church. When she decided to record the tune for her Own It album, Battistelli’s husband suggested she reach out to Gretzinger to see if she’d like to sing the song with her. Gretzinger readily agreed.

Battistelli has done well rendering a Neon Feather Remix of Defender.

WATCH VIDEO

LYRICS

You go before I know
That You’ve even gone to win my war
Your love becomes my greatest defense
It leads me from the dry wilderness
And all I did was praise
All I did was stay still, stay still

Hallelujah, You have saved me
So much better Your way
Hallelujah, great Defender
So much better

Your way You know before I do
Where my heart can seek to find Your truth
Your mercy is the shade I’m living in
You restore my faith and hope again

Hallelujah, You have saved me
So much better Your way
Hallelujah, great Defender
So much better Your way

When I thought I lost me
You knew where I left me
You reintroduced me to Your love
You picked up all my pieces
Put me back together
You are the defender of my heart

Hallelujah, You have saved me
So much better this way
Hallelujah, great Defender
So much better Your way
So much better Your way