A measurable, official platform. That is exactly what this launch represents.

The Official Charts Company has announced the Official UK Christian and Gospel Singles Chart in collaboration with AstepFWD, a dedicated weekly chart recognising the impact of homegrown Christian and Gospel music, ranked by combined UK sales and streams. The first chart will be revealed at 5:45pm on Friday 6 March. That is a proper moment for the genre.

For years, AStepFWD has been doing the groundwork. Since 2014, the monthly UK Christian Charts have highlighted hundreds of artists across more than ten genres. The rankings were shaped through industry insight and the perspective of experienced judges who understand the culture, the sound and the impact of each release. It was never about hype. It was about discernment, consistency and recognising what was truly resonating within the space.

That steady work over the years helped shape the scene and gave artists visibility long before there was any official structure behind it.

Now it shifts.

This time it is not down to judges’ experience alone. Streams and sales will decide who sits at Number 1 each week. It comes down to what people are actually playing, downloading and returning to. The numbers will speak for themselves.

The first Number 1 will mean something. It will be the track released within the last twelve months that has generated the highest combined UK consumption in the Christian and Gospel category. It will reflect a song that has truly connected, not just within church walls but across platforms and everyday listening.

And because the chart focuses on UK based releases from the past year, the first spot will likely belong to an artist who already has strong momentum. It could be a worship anthem that has travelled from congregation to congregation. It could be a Gospel record gaining traction beyond its core audience. It could even be an independent release that has quietly built serious support.

Up until now, even the biggest Christian and Gospel releases in the UK have mostly been recognised within our own circles. This changes that. It places the genre within the official music conversation.

After more than a decade of AStepFWD championing this scene, this first Number 1 is not just about popularity. It marks a shift. From community recognition to national visibility.

So, when 5:45pm arrives, the question is simple. Whose song has done enough to take that first spot?