Michael Foust

Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham Say They Tour for Spiritual Impact, Not Mere Entertainment

Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham, headliners of the Summer Worship Nights Tour, combined award-winning music with powerful testimonies to inspire transformation through the gospel. Their tour, now captured in the documentary For the One,...
Jun 20, 2025
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Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham Say They Tour for Spiritual Impact, Not Mere Entertainment

The two artists who headlined one of the biggest Christian concert tours of the last two years say they aim to entertain, but more importantly, to transform lives with the gospel. Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham traveled the country in 2023 and 2024 as part of their Summer Worship Nights Tour, featuring their award-winning music and their testimonies about Christ's power. Fans who missed the tour or want to relive it can do so in theaters from Oct. 27-29 with the tour documentary For the One, featuring highlights and the stories behind the music.

"I often say it's more than entertainment," Lake told Crosswalk Headlines. 

"[Of course,] we want people to be entertained if they're sacrificing a lot for a ticket and taking time off, maybe from work, or going to work the next day, maybe tired -- but we really want people to have an encounter. That's what it's all about." 

The tour's message is "for the one who's far from God, or who needs a breakthrough, who needs to encounter this living God that loves them so much."

"That's really what this is all about," Lake said. "Yes, we want them to be entertained, but we want them to walk out better than they came in." 

















A post shared by SUMMER WORSHIP NIGHTS (@summerworshipnights)

Wickham recounted a tour story in which a "row of security guards, up in the balcony," raised their hands, acknowledging they wanted to accept Christ.

"I was so proud of our concertgoers -- the people that came to hang out with us," Wickham said. The fans around the security guards "flooded them" with hugs and encouragement. Such stories, though, are not "unique to that one night," Wickham said. 

"There's a real spirit of family and community" on the tour, he said.

Just as the tour impacted lives, Wickham hopes the movie does the same.

"I hope people in the church see it and get really encouraged by God on the move throughout the country, in the world, and in people's lives. We're all in it together, one big church, just taking ground for Jesus," Wickham said. "We hope that people get saved through this documentary or recommit their lives to Jesus."

The film, Wickham added, shouts a "message to the world that the church is alive."

For the One was directed by Noah Taher, produced by Ken Carpenter (The Shift), and executive produced by Ben Howard (Blue Miracle, The Long Game).

WATCH: Brandon Lake & Phil Wickham Present: FOR THE ONE (Trailer) | Summer Worship Nights

Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Phil Wickham


Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.

More about Phil Wickham & Brandon Lake


Phil Wickham Headshot for Celebrity BioPhil Wickham is a Grammy-winning worship leader and songwriter whose powerful songs—like “This Is Amazing Grace,” “Living Hope,” and “Battle Belongs”—have stirred hearts and transformed congregations around the world. He boldly addresses modern challenges to faith, using his platform to speak truth into deconstruction culture through his album I Believe and conversations on worship’s relevance. Beyond the stage, he serves as a local church worship pastor, emphasizing that music should lead to lasting spiritual impact rather than mere entertainment. His life mission? To guide listeners into encounters with Christ through authentic worship and a heart rooted in Scripture.

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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Jason Kempin/Staff

Brandon Lake Headshot for Celebrity BioBrandon Lake is a multi-Grammy-winning worship leader and songwriter whose heartfelt music has stirred up a revival in the church and beyond. His songs—like “Gratitude,” “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” and “Love of God”—resonate deeply with themes of faith, redemption, and the glory of God. Beyond recording, Brandon continues to serve as a worship pastor, emphasizing the importance of local church ministry and authentic spiritual growth. He frequently collaborates with other worship leaders like Phil Wickham and Jelly Roll, using music as a catalyst for gospel conversations. His life and ministry remind us that worship is more than music—it’s a movement of the heart.

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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Debra L Rothenberg/Contributor


Originally published October 23, 2024.

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