Exclusive Interviews, Major Tour Coverage & Surge in Viewership Define Most Successful Year to Date Ahead of Major Milestones
LAKELAND, FL – December 19, 2025 – Today’s Christian Entertainment (TCE) is thrilled to announce that 2025 has officially become the biggest year of growth and impact in the history of both the organization and its premier video channel, Kingdom Builder. As the year draws to a close, the platform is not only celebrating a landmark season of unprecedented expansion but is also preparing for a massive double anniversary celebration in the new year.
In a year defined by record-breaking engagement, the Kingdom Builder YouTube channel saw an explosion in viewership, officially eclipsing the 2,000 subscriber milestone. The channel’s content resonated deeply with audiences, amassing nearly 450,000 views and generating a staggering 8,000 watch hours—a testament to the platform’s “stickiness” and the quality of its long-form content. The team worked tirelessly to deliver fresh programming, releasing over 100 new videos, including in-depth artist interviews and dynamic concert footage from the industry’s most anticipated events.
“While the numbers from 2025 are incredible, what I am most thankful for is the amazing team I have by my side and the privilege of witnessing all that God has done through these ministries over the past 20-plus years,” says Jay Heilman, founder of Today’s Christian Entertainment. “None of this would be possible without the artists, publicists, and promoters who trust us with their stories, and of course, every single person who visits our site and channel to support our content. We are filled with excitement for whatever God has in store for us in 2026 and beyond.”
The channel’s programming featured a diverse array of talent, looking back on late 2024 interviews with guests such as Van Zant and carrying that momentum into high-profile 2025 conversations. Highlights included exclusive sit-downs with renowned figures such as Michael Shannon and James Vanderbilt regarding their film Nuremberg, Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery, and for KING + COUNTRY, where the duo discussed their documentary No Turning Back.
Beyond the headliners, Kingdom Builder dedicated significant time to the future of the genre, featuring chats with many up-and-coming “artists on the rise” and independent Christian music artists such as Grace Graber, Eli Gable, and Allison Eide. The team also celebrated the genre’s history, going back to talk about older music with industry staples like Todd Agnew, Jon Micah Sumrall of Kutless, and Michael Sweet of STRYPER.
TCE & Kingdom Builder was also on the front lines of the year’s biggest tours and events. The team kicked off 2025 with extensive coverage of Winter Jam, featuring interviews with Skillet’s John Cooper, Colton Dixon, and NewSong. In October, the team traveled to Nashville, TN, for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards, bringing fans exclusive red-carpet conversations and behind-the-scenes access.
The fall season proved to be a highlight of the year, featuring on-site coverage of Brandon Lake’s sold-out King of Hearts tour and CAIN’s Live and In Color tour. As the year draws to a close, the team is busy wrapping up 2025 with coverage of Jeremy Rosado’s The Feliz Navidad Tour, for KING + COUNTRY’s brief A Drummer Boy Christmas tour, and the massive holiday spectacle, Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More.
“This season with TCE and Kingdom Builder has been deeply personal for me,” says Mike Laxton. “Returning to the platform where my journey with Jay began has strengthened my faith in ways I didn’t expect. These conversations have helped renew not just my own walk, but my family’s as well—and that’s how I know the stories we’re sharing are truly making an impact.”
As TCE approaches the new year, the organization stands on the brink of historic milestones. January 2026 will serve as a month of dual celebration: it marks 10 years of Today’s Christian Entertainment, while Kingdom Builder—spanning both the original audio podcast and the video platform—celebrates its 18th anniversary in late January. Combined with the roots of Christian Music Review (founded in 2004), the team celebrates nearly 22 years of collective ministry.
The core team of Jay Heilman, Kelly Meade, and Mike Laxton have remained dedicated to the vision of uplifting entertainment, with 2025 keeping them busier than ever.
“I’m so grateful for the conversations, experiences, music and especially the people that God has brought into my life through TCE,” adds Kelly Meade. “Along with the continued growth of the site and Kingdom Builder as well as further strengthening my own faith journey, 2025 celebrated my 10th year with TCE and I’m excited to see what the future holds!”
With a firm foundation laid in 2025, Today’s Christian Entertainment and Kingdom Builder are poised for an even greater year ahead. The team promises a big 2026, filled with more exclusive content, celebration of their ministry milestones, and a continued commitment to sharing the message of hope through media.
To watch the latest interviews and coverage, visit youtube.com/@KingdomBuilderPodcast.
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