The 17th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on 1986 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1985. The show was held in Nashville, Tennessee.

Award recipients

• Song of the Year
  • "Via Dolorosa"; Billy Sprague, Niles Borop; Meadowgreen Music, Word Music (ASCAP)
• Songwriter of the Year
  • Gloria Gaither
• Male Vocalist of the Year
  • Larnelle Harris
• Female Vocalist of the Year
  • Sandi Patti
• Artist of the Year
  • Amy Grant
• Southern Gospel Album of the Year
  • Excited; The Hemphills; Wayne Hilton, Trent Hemphill; HeartWarming
• Inspirational Album of the Year
  • I've Just Seen Jesus; Larnelle Harris; Greg Nelson; Impact
• Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
  • Medals; Russ Taff; Jack Joseph Puig, Russ Taff; Myrrh Records
• Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year
  • Let My People Go; The Winans; Marvin Winans; Qwest/Warner Bros.
• Traditional Gospel Album of the Year
  • Celebration; Shirley Caesar; Dave Lehman, Shirley Caesar, David Lehman; Rejoice
• Instrumentalist
  • Dino Kartsonakis
• Praise and Worship Album of the Year
  • I've Just Seen Jesus; Bill Gaither, Randy Vader; Gaither Music Records
• Children's Music Album of the Year
  • Bullfrogs & Butterflies Part II; Tony Salerno; Birdwing
• Musical Album
  • Come Celebrate Jesus; Neal Joseph, Don Marsh; Word
• Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
  • Mark Tucker, Thomas Ryan, Kent Hunter Unguarded; Amy Grant
• Album by a Secular Artist
  • No More Night; Glen Campbell; Glen Campbell, Ken Harding; Word