2006 Awards

EPA Contest: 2006 Awards

The 2006 Higher Goals and Awards of Excellence prizes were presented at EPA's annual convention, held in Orlando May 7-10, 2006. This contest honors the best work done by EPA publications during the calendar year 2005.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

The Awards of Excellence competition honors overall excellence throughout a publication. Honors are given in each EPA membership category. The top award in each category is the "Award of Excellence"; judges may also give "Awards of Merit."

CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

Award of Excellence: Leadership, Marshall Shelley, editor; Raymond C. Whitlock III, art director; Christianity Today, International, publisher. The judge said: "Writing is fresh ¦ excellent editing."

Award of Merit: InSite, Allison Hayhoe, editor; Mike Hames, art director; Christian Camp and Conference Association, publisher.

Judge: Bill Bangham, director of photography and former editor in chief at Southern Baptist International Mission Board.

DENOMINATIONAL

Award of Excellence: byFaith, Dick Doster, editor; José Reyes, art director; Presbyterian Church in America, publisher. The judge said: "[byFaith] sets the standard for denominational magazines."

Awards of Merit: Seek, Dulcimer Hope Brubaker, editor; David Kasparek, art director; Brethren in Christ Church, publisher. Advance, Bill Shepson, editor; Personalityâ„¢, design; Foursquare Publications, publisher. EFCA Today, Diane J. McDougall, editor; Journey Groupâ„¢, design; Evangelical Free Church, publisher.

Judge: David Sanford, president of Sanford Communications, Inc.

DEVOTIONAL

Award of Excellence: InTouch, Tonya Stoneman, editor; Randy Drake, art director; InTouch Ministries, publisher.

The judge said, "Superior writing in all categories covered by the publication."

Awards of Merit: YouthWalk, Tim Walker, editor; Travis Stoneback, art director; Walk Thru the Bible, publisher. Men of Integrity, Harry Genet, editor; Phil Marcelo, art director; Christianity Today International, publisher.

Judge: Matthew Melton, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Lee University, and professor of communications.

GENERAL

Award of Excellence: Christianity Today, David Neff, editor; Gary Gnidovic, art director; Christianity Today, International, publisher. The judge said: "Copy is a pleasure to read…clear, lively, packed with deftly selected details…well-structured."

Awards of Merit: Books & Culture, John Wilson, editor; Jennifer McGuire, art director; Christianity Today, International, publisher. Sojourners, Jim Wallis, editor; Ed Spivey, Jr., art director; Sojourners, publisher. Discipleship Journal, Sue Kline, editor; Adele Mulford, art director; Navigators, publisher.

Judge: Peter Jacobi, professor emeritus of journalism, Indiana University.

MISSIONARY

Award of Excellence: World Vision, Milan McLead; Journey Group, design; World Vision, publisher. The judge said: "Focuses on the new crises and challenges in world missions."

Awards of Merit: Send!, Heidi Chupp, editor; DOXA, design; Gospel for Asia, Inc. publisher. Word Alive, Dave Crough and Dwayne Janke, editors; Laird Salkeld, art director; Wycliffe Bible Translators of Canada, publisher.

Judge: Wesley G. Pippert, director of the University of Missouri School of Journalism's Washington Program.

NEWSLETTER

Award of Excellence: Plugged In, Bob Smithouser, editor; James Cail, art director; Focus on the Family, publisher. The judge said: "Content was relevant to today's teens."

Judge: Russ Pulliam, associate editor, Indianapolis Star.

NEWSPAPER

Award of Excellence: The Charlotte World, Warren Smith, editor; Kim Pickering, art director; World Newspaper Publishing, publisher. The judge said: "Winning in this category was not easy…some great competition …but you have remembered the basic principles of journalism."

Awards of Merit: Christian News Northwest, John Fortmeyer, editor; Christian News Northwest, Inc., publisher. Kansas City Metro Voice, Dwight Widaman, editor; Joe Boothe/Dwight Widaman, art directors; Widaman Communications, publisher. Minnesota Christian Chronicle, Bryan Malley, editor; Mike Norman, art director; World Newspaper Publishing, publisher.

Judge: Russ Pulliam, associate editor, Indianapolis Star.

ONLINE

Award of Excellence: pluggedinonline, Steven Isaac, editor and art director; Focus on the Family, publisher. The judge said: "What a great resource! Entertaining and informative."

Awards of Merit: GOstudents.net, Janna Jones, editor; Christopher Lyon, art director; North American Mission Board, publisher. womenoftheharvest.com, Cindy Blomquist, editor and art director, Women of the Harvest, publisher. christianitytodayonline.com, David Neff, editor; David Olsen, online managing editor; Jennifer McGuire, art director; Christianity Today, International, publisher.

Judge: Kathy Chapman Sharp, director of communications for Purpose Driven Ministries.

ORGANIZATIONAL

Award of Excellence: Stillpoint, Patricia McKay, editor; Lora E. Maggiacomo, design; Gordon College, publisher. The judge said: "All elements work together to make this an outstanding publication that serves its audience well."

Awards of Merit: Wheaton, Georgia I. Douglass, editor; Chrismer Mardock, design; Wheaton College, publisher. Connections, Joe Aguirre, editor; Jonathan Price, art director; Reasons To Believe, Inc., publisher. Decision, Bob Paulson, editor; Peter Taylor, art director; Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, publisher.

Judge: Dan Lattimore, vice provost for Extended Programs and dean of University College at the University of Memphis and professor of journalism.

YOUTH

Award of Excellence: Campus Life, Chris Lutes, editor; Doug Fleener, art director; Christianity Today, International. The judge said: "The magazine effectively covers issues relative to its audience."

Awards of Merit: Brio & Beyond, Susie Shellenberger, editor; Alexia Rhodes, art director; Focus on the Family. Clubhouse, Jesse Florea, editor; Peg Mamalakis, art director, Focus on the Family, publisher. Brio, Susie Shellenberger, editor; Alexia Rhodes, art director, Focus on the Family.

Judge: E. Paul Allen, managing editor of Everyday Woman.

MOST IMPROVED PUBLICATION

Award of Excellence: Seek, Dulcimer Hope Brubaker, editor; David Kaparek, art director; Brethren in Christ Church, publisher. The judge said: "The changeover to your new format is a dramatic shift. It's more readable, graphically updated, a quality publication that is a pleasure to read."

Awards of Merit: Missions Magazine, Karin Nytomt, editor; Jonathan Strömgren, art director; Word of Life Sweden, publisher. InSite, Allison Hayhoe, editor; Mike Hames, art director; Christian Camp and Conference Association, publisher. Willow, Paul Braoudakis, editor; 32 Design, art directors; Willow Creek Association, publisher.

Judge: Terry White, executive director and publisher, Brethren Missionary Herald Company and BMH Books.

HIGHER GOALS

BIBLICAL EXPOSITION

  • First Place: Enrichment, "They Spoke With Tongues and Prophesied" by Roger Stronstad.
  • Second Place: Priscilla Papers, "Correcting Caricatures" by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.
  • Third Place: Reformed Quarterly, Judging Samson" by Miles Van Pelt
  • Fourth Place: Leadership, "Clean Out the Sludge," Gordon MacDonald
  • Fifth Place: Clubhouse Jr., "Mighty Messengers," Suzanne Hadley

    Judge: Dr. J. Christopher Thomas, Clarence J. Abbott Professor of Biblical Studies at the Church of God Theological Seminary

    CAUSE OF THE YEAR: Sanctity of Life

  • First Place: Christianity Today, "Ethics Interrupted" by Christine Scheller
  • Second Place: Today's Christian Woman, "Lessons from Terri" by Lindsey O'Conner
  • Third Place: Church of God Evangel, "A Lifetime To Regret It" by Bill Guess
  • Fourth Place: The Good News in South Florida, "The Backyard Kids" by Keri Williams
  • Fifth Place: Reformed Quarterly, "The Value of a Ruble" by Paul Schwarz

    Judge: Janet Parshall, nationally syndicated talk show host and author

    CRITICAL REVIEW

  • First Place: Books & Culture, "The Gospel According to . . . " by Andy Crouch
  • Second Place: Christianity Today Online, "Conspiracy, Control and Crichton" by Read Mercer Schuchardt
  • Third Place: Christianity Today, "All You Need Is Unconditional Love" by John Wilson
  • Fourth Place: Christianity Today Movies, "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" by Peter T. Chattaway
  • Fifth Place: Priscilla Papers, "Review on John Eldridge" by Brynn Camery-Haoggatt and Nealson MunnJudge: Jason Killingsworth, music editor of Paste magazine.

    DEVOTIONAL

  • First Place: InSite, "Pop Quiz" by Dan Bolin
  • Second Place: Heartbeat, "Maintenance" by Tim Weddle
  • Third Place: Christian Leader, "The Boomerang Effect" by Rodney Anderson
  • Fourth Place: Christianity Today, "Can I Really Expect God To Protect Me?" by Nancy Guthrie
  • Fifth Place: Israel My Glory, "Beware of Today's Canaanites" by Peter Colon

    Judge: Roger Palms, past president of EPA, former editor of Decision magazine

    EDITORIAL

  • First Place: Advent Christian Witness, "From the Editor" by Keith D. Wheaton
  • Second Place: Christianity Today, "Worship as Higher Politics" by David Neff
  • Third Place: The Lutheran Ambassador, "The Two Kingdoms" by Craig Johnson
  • Fourth Place: Charisma and Christian Life, "Fire in My Bones" by J. Lee Grady
  • Fifth Place: Hopegiver's Journal, "Not Ashamed To Beg" by Samuel Thomas

    Judge: Bob Welch, newspaper columnist and adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Oregon.

    EVANGELISTIC ARTICLE

  • First Place: Israel My Glory, "Moses for You, Jesus for Me?" by Thomas C. Simcox
  • Second Place: Woman's Touch, "Leading Your Unsaved Spouse to the Lord" by Harold R. Newsome
  • Fourth Place: The Banner, "The Church Behind Bars" by Troy Rienstra
  • Fifth Place: Good News, "Ray Bringham: The Process of Revival" by Stu Smith

    Judge: Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, professor of English and director of the professional writers major at Taylor University

    FICTION

  • First Place: The Church Herald, "In Search of a Silent Night" by John Vanden Oever
  • Second Place: Clubhouse, "Tangled Web" by Manfred Koehler
  • Third Place: Breakaway, "Wannabe Heard" by Manfred Koehler
  • Fourth Place: Advance, "The Day I Went to Church" by Bill Shepson
  • Fifth Place: Campus Life, "Broken Trust" by Elesha Coffman

    Judge: Brett Lott, editor, The Southern Review

    FIRST-PERSON ARTICLE

  • First Place: Christianity Today, "A Hard Pill To Swallow" by Agnieszka Tennant
  • Second Place: MOMSense, "Loving Another Man" by Whitney Scott
  • Third Place: Leadership, "Up Against a Wall" by Eric Reed
  • Fourth Place: Enrichment, "Life After Addiction" by Marvin Smith
  • Fifth Place: Ministries Today, "Missing in Action" by Greg Dutcher

    Judge: Steve Scott, religion reporter, Pioneer Press in the Twin Cities

    GENERAL ARTICLE (LONG)

  • First Place: Inside Journal, "Intersections of Grace" by Catherine Claire
  • Second Place: World Vision, "Ethiopia 20 Years Later" by Jane Sutton-Redner
  • Third Place: Christian Research Journal, "Modern Witchcraft: It May Not Be What You Think" by Richard G. Howe
  • Fourth Place: Books & Culture, "Cracks in the Tower" by Allen C. Guelzo
  • Fifth Place: BC Christian News, "Filmakers Find New Ways Out of Christian Ghetto" by Kevin Miller

    Judge: G. Jeffrey MacDonald, correspondent for Religion News Service

    GENERAL ARTICLE (SHORT)

  • First Place: Discipleship Journal, "Lessons From a Long Goodbye" by Thomas Paul Thigpen
  • Second Place: BGC World, "Weathering Widowhood" by Martha R. Fehl
  • Third Place: Christianity Today, "God's Muckraker" by Russ Pulliam
  • Fourth Place: Baptist Press, "New Orleans Pastor Views Katrina's Toll" by Will Hall
  • Fifth Place: Christian History & Biography, "The Postman's Knock" by Andrew Cuneo

    Judge: Michael A. Longinow, professor of journalism, Biola University

    HUMOROUS ARTICLE

  • First Place: Gostudents.net, "You Say You Want a Revolution" by Terrell Gilbert
  • Second Place: Christianity Today, "Come, Lord Jesus . . . But Not Too Soon" by John Koessler
  • Third Place: Sojourners, "A Different Word for Everything" by Ed Spivey, Jr.
  • Fourth Place: The Banner, "Love Thy Neighbor" by Lloyd Rang

    Judge: Jim Dahlman, associate professor of communications, Milligan College

    INTERVIEW ARTICLE

  • First Place: Leadership, "The Apprentices: Interview with Dallas Willard and Dieter Zander" by Eric Reed and Skye Jethani
  • Second Place: Christianity Today Movies, "Interview With Douglas Gresham" by Mark Moring
  • Third Place: Sojourners, "God Wants You To End Global Poverty" by Rose Marie Berger and Elizabeth Palmberg
  • Fourth Place: The Manna, "Who Is My Neighbor?" by Randy Walter
  • Fifth Place: Christian Music Today, "The Bell Tolls: Interview With Steve Bell" by Mark Moring

    Judge: Holly Miller, senior editor, Saturday Evening Post, author, faculty professional in residence, Anderson University

    PERSONALITY ARTICLE

  • First Place: Christianity Today, "The Fraud Buster" by Rob Moll
  • Second Place: Leadership, "High Hopes: Interview With Matthew Barnett" by Eric Reed and Marshall Shelley
  • Third Place: Focus on the Family Citizen, "Relentless Love" by Stephen Adams
  • Fourth Place: Kindred Spirit, "An Enduring Ministry: The Life and Times of J. Dwight Pentecost" by Karen G. Giesen
  • Fifth Place: Outreach, "Recycling Souls" by Doug Trouten

    Judge: Holly Miller, senior editor, Saturday Evening Post, author, faculty professional in residence, Anderson University

    POETRY

  • First Place: Sojourners, "Darfur" by Louise Murphy
  • Second Place: Books & Culture, "The Serpent Speaks" by Robert Siegel
  • Third Place: Decision, "A Tender Shoot" by Ruth I. Story
  • Fourth Place: Kindred Spirit, "Mary's Musings" by Catherine Claire
  • Fifth Place: Priscilla Papers, "The Color of Light" by Victoria Peterson-Hilleque

    Judge: Luci Shaw, writer in residence, Regent College

    REPORTING

  • First Place: Christianity Today, "The French Reconnection" by Agnieszka Tennant
  • Second Place: World Vision, "Children at War" by Nigel Marsh
  • Third Place: Christian Research Journal, "Terrorizing the Innocence in Uganda" by Steve Rabey
  • Fourth Place: AFA Journal, "Silent Exodus" by Ed Vitagliano
  • Fifth Place: The Lutheran Witness, "Katrina's Impact, Synod's Response" by Matthew Harrison

    Judge: David Aikman, award-winning print and broadcast journalist, author and foreign policy consultant

    STANDING COLUMN

  • First Place: The Charlotte World, "House Editorial" by Warren Smith
  • Second Place: Leadership, "Craig Barnes Commentary" by M. Craig Barnes
  • Third Place: InSite, "Get with the Program" by Steven James
  • Fourth Place: New Man, "Stark-Raving Dad" by Dave Meurer
  • Fifth Place: Campus Life, "Strange Verses" by Jarrett Stevens

    Judge: Bob Welch, newspaper columnist, adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Oregon

    SINGLE-THEME SECTION/ISSUE

  • First Place: Christian History & Biography, "C.S. Lewis" by multiple authors
  • Second Place: Word Alive, "To Timbuktu and Beyond" by Deborah Crough
  • Third Place: World Vision, "Preventable Diseases of Poverty" by Milana McLead, Karen Homer, James Addis
  • Fourth Place: Worldwide Challenge, "Going Global" by Angie Bring, Becky Hill, Jessica Cline, Chris Lawrence, Jennifer Abegg
  • Fifth Place: Decision, "A New Day for New York" by Bob Paulson, Amanda Knoke, Kristen Burke, Justin Vold, Eric Gorman

    Judge: Gary Warner, associate professor of journalism, John Brown University

    CARTOON

  • First Place: Campus Life, "Zed" by Kevin Frank
  • Second Place: Clubhouse, Jr., "Albert E. in 4B" by Roger Chandler/Christopher Maselli
  • Third Place: Outreach, "Christian Eye for the Pagan Guy" by Hank Davis
  • Fourth Place: Christian Examiner, Untitled, by Jerry King
  • Fifth Place: Today's Christian Woman, "Kitchen Appliance Cemetery" by Laura Cornell

    Judge: Mark Herron, Creative Director for Herron Studios, Atlanta

    COVER

  • First Place: Christian Research Journal, "Under the Needle," artist Dwayne Cogdill, photo by Louis Felix
  • Second Place: Charisma, "The Truth About the Devil," artist Rachel Campbell
  • Third Place: Campus Life, "Holy Hip Hop," artist Doug Fleener and Jimi Allen
  • Fourth Place: Focus on the Family, "Worthy of Protection," artist Tom Hook
  • Fifth Place: EFCA Today, "Passion, Direction & Call," artist Andy Potts, Michael Miller/Journey Group, art director

    Judge: Dorit Randandt Dacre, designer for Idea Tree Creative

    ORIGINAL ART

  • First Place: Enrichment, "Sheep Squabbling," artist Gary Locke
  • Second Place: Focus on the Family Citizen, "Bad Behavior" by Thomas Reis
  • Third Place: Christian Research Journal, "Suffer the Children: What's Wrong With Gay Adoption," artist Michael Hogue
  • Fourth Place: Clubhouse Jr., "Dudley Digs a Hole," artist Dave Clegg
  • Fifth Place: Today's Pentecostal Evangel, "Pray It Up," artist Gary Locke

    Judge: Will Sumpter, Will Sumpter Associates, illustration and photography

    PHOTO FEATURE

  • First Place: World Vision, "Suffer the Little Children" by Jon Warren
  • Second Place: Worldwide Challenge, "The Power of One" by Ted Wilcox
  • Third Place: Christian Research Journal, "Under the Needle" by Louis Felix and Dwayne Cogdill
  • Fourth Place: Decision, "After the Storms" by Chris Capozziello, Russ Busby, Paul Sherar, Jarod Sutphin, Amanda Knoke
  • Fifth Place: Christianity Today, "Where Community Is No Cliché" by Dan Bryant

    Judge: Gary Fong, director of editorial graphics technology, San Francisco Chronicle

    SINGLE PHOTO/CANDID

  • First Place: Today's Pentecostal Evangel, "Orphaned Girl With Brother" by Gaylon Wampler
  • Second Place: Wheaton, "Women's Soccer Team" by Michael Hudson
  • Third Place: Focus on the Family, "Toddler Playing With Flower" by Steve Starr
  • Fourth Place: World Vision, "Children at War" by Jon Warren
  • Fifth Place: Christianity Today, "The New Monasticism" by Erik Stenbakken

    Judge: David Rees, associate professor, University of Missouri School of Journalism

    SINGLE PHOTO/CONTROLLED SETTING

  • First Place: World Vision, "Suffer the Little Children" by Jon Warren
  • Second Place: Focus on the Family, "Mother Dancing With Daughter" by Ron Nickel
  • Third Place: Word Alive, "Muslim Scholar Reading the Qur'an" by Dave Crough
  • Fourth Place: EFCA Today, "Doctrine" by Chip Simons
  • Fifth Place: Kindred Spirit, "Permeating Influence" by David Edmonson, Keith Yates

    Judge: David Rees, associate professor, University of Missouri School of Journalism

    TWO-PAGE SPREAD DESIGN

  • First Place: New Man, "Making Waves" by Joe DeLeon
  • Second Place: Campus Life, "Holy Hip Hop" by Doug Fleener
  • Third Place: Charisma, "The Gospel According to Narnia" by Rachel Campbell
  • Fourth Place: Sojourners, "Teach a Woman To Fish" by Ed Spivey, Jr.
  • Fifth Place: World Vision, "Children at War" by Journey Group

    Judge: Lee D. Green, director of Web design for IBM

    TYPOGRAPHY AND LETTERING

  • First Place: Discipleship Journal, "Stuck?" by Adele Mulford and Travis Foster
  • Second Place: Worldwide Challenge, "Louder Than Sound" by Journey Group
  • Third Place: Wheaton, "A Different Kind of Worship Experience" by Chrismer Mardock Design Group
  • Fourth Place: Pray!, "Out of the Shadows" by Bridget Rennie
  • Fifth Place: Today's Christian Woman, "Confessions of a Perfect Christian Woman" by Doug Johnson

    Judge: Lee D. Green, director of Web design for IBM

    PUBLICATION DESIGN

  • First Place: Clear Horizon, designers Keith Johnson and Andrea Young
  • Second Place: Today's Pentecostal Evangel, designers Matt Key, Lucas Key, Marc McBride
  • Third Place: Advance, designers Jo Anne Antoine, Shawn Stewart and Ken Erickson
  • Fourth Place: Campus Life, designer Doug Fleener

    Judge: Jeff Stoddard, Stoddard Design and Art, Colorado Springs

    PUBLICATION REDESIGN

  • First Place: Breakaway, designer Michael Heath
  • Second Place: InSite, designer Mike Hames
  • Third Place: Clubhouse, designer Peg Mamalakis
  • Fourth Place: Send!, designer Tony Steck, DOXA

    Judge: Jeff Stoddard, Stoddard Design and Art, Colorado Springs

    FREELANCE ARTICLE

  • First Place: The Plain Truth, "Rethinking My Views About Homosexuality" by Barbara Curtis
  • Second Place: Charisma, "The Gospel According to Narnia" by Steve Rabey
  • Third Place: On Mission, "2020 Vision" by Carolyn Curtis
  • Fourth Place: Minnesota Christian Chronicle, "911 Dispatchers Intercede" by Joyce K. Ellis

    Judge: Andy Scheer, managing editor, Christian Writers Guild

    The EPA awards presentation is made possible by the work of a volunteer committee, headed this year by Carolyn Curtis of On Mission magazine and Bill George of Pathway Press. Other committee members included: Randy Drake and Tonya Stoneman of In Touch ministries; Lon Foster and Chris Tiegreen from Walk Thru the Bible; Carol Pipes, Adam Miller, Jami Becher, Brent Moxey and Mike Ebert from the North American Mission Board; Wanda Griffith from Pathway Press; Jenny Chatham of White Wing Messenger and Marty Davis from the Presbyterian Church of America.