Christian Singer Chris Tomlin's 'Burning Lights' Tops Billboard 200 Chart

(Photo: Reuters/Lucy Nicholson)Chris Tomlin poses backstage after winning Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the 54th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 12, 2012.

Christian singer Chris Tomlin topped the Billboard 200 album chart Wednesday with his latest album, "Burning Lights," which posted strong sales in relation to a recent youth Christian conference in Atlanta.

The album sold 73,000 units in its first week, reported Nielsen SoundScan. It is Tomlin's first mainstream No. 1 album.

"Thank you everyone for the heart and love you gave to Burning Lights. Billboard #1, wow!" wrote Chris Tomlin on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

Tomlin, a contemporary Christian singer-songwriter, is best known for his worship anthems such as "How Great is Our God," "Holy is the Lord," and "Jesus, Messiah."

Coming in second on the Billboard chat was Hollywood Undead's "Notes from the Underground," followed by the soundtrack to the film adaption of the Broadway musical "Les Miserables." Taylor Swift's "Red" album ranked fourth.

The strong album sales of Burning Lights was credited to its being released on the heels of Tomlin's recent performance at Passion 2013 Conference, a college Christian gathering that drew 60,000 people in Atlanta, according to Billboard.

Three songs from Burning Lights, "White Flag," "Jesus, Son of God" and "Lay Me Down," have already appeared in the 2012 Passion album.

The Passion conferences were founded by Louie Giglio, the Atlanta pastor who withdrew from President Obama's inaugural ceremony following controversy over his views on homosexuality.

It was the fourth time that a Christian album topped the Billboard 200. The last Christian album that rose to No.1 was tobyMac's "Eye on It" in September 2012.

The song "White Flag" on Tomlin's new album has been nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song.

Tomlin, who was his first Grammy Award last year, will be attending the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles as an eight-time nominee next month.

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