At this point in his career, TobyMac is an elder statesman of Christian music.

Sure, he’s only 48 and carries himself with the youthful intensity and groovy stylings of someone 20 years younger, but TobyMac (born Toby McKeehan) has been at this music game for more than half of his life.

So it makes sense that the onetime D.C. Talk frontman, who, since the trio’s dissolution in 2001 has released six solo albums, is headlining the 2013 Winter Jam tour, which pulls into Philips Arena on Sunday.

The annual outing featuring a collection of Christian artists – Atlanta’s Jamie Grace and former “American Idol” also-ran Jason Castro are among this year’s crew – is a massively successful one. Last year’s tour ranked No. 1 in the world in first-quarter sales, according to concert trade publication Pollstar.

Part of the appeal is the setup: Tickets aren’t sold in advance (though membership in Jam Nation provides some advance admission options) and the $10 donation collected at the door for general admission seating is optional.

It’s an arrangement that leads to perpetual sellouts and an exciting vibe that TobyMac relishes.

He called in recently from his home in Nashville to chat about the tour, why he signed Grace to his record label, and which other Atlanta artist he plans to tour with in the fall.

Q. You’ve done these a lot over the years. How have you seen the audiences change?

A. They’re getting bigger for sure. The great part of Winter Jam is there’s a lot of excitement in the air. People are lined up literally around the arena. It’s amazing how it’s grown. The arenas aren’t even big enough anymore. We’ve had to turn people away on every date, so we’re starting to do a song or two outside, a couple of acoustic songs either before or after the main show. I think what has happened is that it was really focused on students over the years, but it’s now spread out to families.

Q. Did you know all of the artists ahead of time or are you forging some new friendships?

A. Oh yeah. I think it was a few years back and I was singing an early version of ‘Steal My Show’ (now on his current album, ‘Eye On It’) in the hallway and Brandon Heath heard me and I told him about the concept and he said I’d love to write that song with you. And so we did a year and a half later. Things like that happen. I do hang out with all of the artists. I find myself in a different position. I’ve been doing this for awhile and I find them sitting with me and picking my brain based on my experience. It’s not a position I was seeking out, but I really enjoy it.

Q. Do you get to talk with Jamie (Grace) much?

A. Jamie and I talk all the time about navigating her opportunities and her amazing giftedness. We talk with Mona, her mom. Capital Kings is another one of my bands on this tour and I watch them perform every night.

Q. You signed Jamie to your label. What is it about her that you think is so special?

A. When I heard her sing and play her guitar I thought, this is someone I would love to work with immediately. I think everything is special about Jamie – her personality, her wit, the way she writes songs. The way she views things is unique. She’s not looking to imitate - she’s found an original perspective on things. She’s as good a speaker as she is a singer-songwriter, which is saying a lot.

Q. You also have (Atlanta Christian rapper) Lecrae on your latest album.

A. I just sit back and cheer for Lecrae. He’s a guy worth cheering for. His focus is undeniable, his heart is passionate and big, he has a vision and he’s on the climb. He takes pride in his faith. Something he’s doing reminds me of how (D.C. Talk’s 1995 breakthrough) ‘Jesus Freak’ was embraced by the mainstream.

Q. Your latest album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and Chris Tomlin’s just did the same. Why do you think that is – is it because Christian fans still buy CDs, or something more about the music?

A. I do think for that audience it’s about the music. My hope with every song I write is that it will connect with someone’s life and actually affect the way they live. I think if the art or the music has touched someone’s life, they’ll have a loyalty to that music or that artist.

Q. So what’s on your schedule the rest of the year?

A. I might do a few Christmas songs to add to my Christmas CD from two years ago. I’m going to start writing this summer for my new CD. I do have a Jamie Grace CD to (oversee) – that should be out late summer - and tour-wise, I’ll do the festivals and theme parks and fairs this summer. And it looks as if we’re 99 percent going out late September with Lecrae.

Q. You’re nominated for a Grammy Sunday (Best Contemporary Christian Music Album) but I guess you won’t be at the ceremony since you’re performing here that night.

A. Wow, is that right? That’s blowing my mind because the last time I won a Grammy in 2009, I got a call about it when I was driving from my hotel in Atlanta because I was there for Winter Jam. Maybe that’s good luck!

Winter Jam 2013 with TobyMac, Red, Jamie Grace, Newsong, Jason Castro, Matthew West, Sidewalk Prophets, Royal Tailor, Capital Kings, OBB and speaker Nick Hall. A $10 donation will be collected at the door but is not required. General admission seating (or join Jam Nation at www.jamtour.com to secure seating). 6 p.m., Sunday (FEB10). Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 404-878-3000, www.philipsarena.com.