MercyMe Extends No. 1 Records on Christian Radio Charts

MercyMe extends its records for the most No. 1s on Billboard’s Christian Airplay and Christian AC Airplay charts, as “To Not Worship You” ascends to the top of both tallies dated Sept. 16.

The group adds its 19th No. 1 on Christian Airplay and its 20th on Christian AC Airplay.

The song gained by 8% to 6.6 million audience impressions on Christian Airplay reporters in the week ending Sept. 7, according to Luminate. On Christian AC Airplay panelists, it advanced by 5% in plays.

All five MercyMe members co-wrote the song – Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Mike Scheuchzer and Robby Shaffer – with Brown Bannister, Jordan Mohilowski and Tedd Tjornhom.

“To Not Worship You” is from the group’s album Always Only Jesus, which arrived as its 12th No. 1 on Top Christian Albums last November.

The song follows MercyMe’s “Then Christ Came,” which in February also led both lists. The act, which formed in 1994, earned its first Christian Airplay and Christian AC Airplay No. 1 in 2003 when “Word of God Speak” dominated for 23 and 21 weeks, respectively.

MercyMe has the most No. 1s on both charts dating to their June 2003 inceptions, with for King & Country’s 13 Christian Airplay leaders ranking second, followed by Jeremy Camp, tobyMac and Matthew West with 12 apiece. On Christian AC Airplay, Camp and Casting Crowns are tied for second with 13 No. 1s each, with for King & Country next with 11.

Wilson Finds ‘Peace’ at No. 1

Meanwhile, Brian Courtney Wilson nets his fourth Gospel Airplay No. 1 with “Always Peace” (up 10% in plays).

Wilson, a Chicago native now based in Missouri City, Texas, co-wrote the song with Dana Sorey.

The 51-year-old Wilson earns his third straight chart-topper, following “Sure As,” which led for a week in September 2022, and “Still,” which reigned for one frame in June 2021.

Wilson made his first trip to the Gospel Airplay penthouse when “A Great Work” began a three-week rule in October 2018. He boasts seven top 10s, starting with his initial entry, “All I Need,” which hit No. 6 in February 2010.