Pastor sings his way to victory on The Voice 

Most people probably do not associate the American singing competition The Voice with Christianity, but that perception might change because of Todd Tilghman.

The 42-year-old pastor and father of eight won the 18^th season of the popular show on Tuesday, May 18^th after singing MercyMe’s “I Can Only Imagine” and his own “Long Way Home.”

With his victory came a record deal and a cash prize of $100,000.

Coached by country singer

The concept of The Voice is that the artist’s vocal performance weighs higher than how the contestant acts on stage – at least to begin with.

Todd Tilghman first appeared on the show on February 24^th when he sang “We’ve Got Tonight” by Bob Seger. As always, all four judges sat with their backs toward the contestant on stage in order to focus on the voice.

If a judge likes what she or he hears, she or he turns around, and the singer then chooses which team it wants to join.

The winning pastor chose to join country singer Blake Shelton’s team and thereby got him as his coach throughout the competition.

“You are so moving”

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last weeks of the show were filmed in each of the remaining contestants’ hometowns.

As the pastor he is, Todd Tilghman decided to do his final performances from an empty church, which especially one of the judges was very enthusiastic about.

“You are so moving, and it is because you are a pastor. It is because you have such a bigger belief inside of you than just yourself. I would love to come to your church to hear you speak. You are very special,” Kelly Clarkson said after his performance.

When Todd Tilghman is not singing to millions of tv viewers, he is the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Meridian, Mississippi.

Below, you can listen to Todd Tilghman’s winning song, “Long Way Home,” which is currently topping the American iTunes chart.