OKLAHOMA CITY — The Christian Chronicle earned 28 national awards — including first place in eight categories — in annual journalism contests sponsored by the Associated Church Press, the Evangelical Press Association and the Religion News Association.
In the ACP’s “Best of the Church Press” competition, the Chronicle claimed the Best in Class honor as overall top newspaper for the 10th time.
The prize was presented at the faith-based journalist group’s recent convention in Toronto.
“Quite a selection of reading, all smoothly written with a consistent voice,” the ACP judge commented, praising the Oklahoma-based international newspaper for Churches of Christ.
In the EPA contest, the Chronicle’s overall excellence was honored in the categories for best print newspaper, best online news and best publication serving a specific group. EPA winners were recognized at the Christian professional organization’s national meeting in Franklin, Tenn., south of Nashville.
RNA’s Excellence in Religion Reporting Award recipients were announced during a banquet in Decatur, Ga., just outside Atlanta.
“We are extremely honored and humbled by these awards,” Chronicle President and CEO Erik Tryggestad and Editor-in-Chief Bobby Ross Jr. said in a joint statement. “They speak to the strong commitment of our board, staff and generous supporters to high-quality journalism serving our fellowship around the world.”
“We are extremely honored and humbled by these awards. They speak to the strong commitment of our board, staff and generous supporters to high-quality journalism serving our fellowship around the world.”
See a list of the other winners below:
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” awards
FIRST PLACE
• Theme issue, section or series: “In search of Shalom — the struggle for divine reconciliation” (Erik Tryggestad)
• News story (short format): “While mourning fire losses, California church helps neighbors and trusts God” (Bobby Ross Jr.)
Christians helping with the fire relief effort of the Lincoln Avenue Church of Christ in Pasadena, Calif., gather in a circle to pray in February 2025.
• In-depth coverage: Texas flooding package, including “Grief and guilt over Texas flooding deaths” by Bobby Ross Jr., “‘We were safe the whole time’” by Andrew Reneau, “Creek by Texas camp floods” by Kenzie James and “Christians organize food and supplies after catastrophic flooding” by Cheryl Mann Bacon.
• Biographical profile: “Andrew Hairston is the ‘strength that runs through our veins’” (Erik Tryggestad)
SECOND PLACE
• Biographical profile: “Christian at center of big case has ‘this sweet spirit’” (Kenneth Pybus)
• Feature article — international reporting (short format): “Bonjour! How an Algerian immigrant couple found their calling in France” (Bobby Ross Jr.)
Khaled and Djedjiga Hassani, Algerian immigrants to France, serve as caretakers for the former Betheline monastery, which is being renovated as a Christian outreach center.
THIRD PLACE
• Theme issue, section or series: “Faith in France: Exploring spiritual renewal in a secular country” (Bobby Ross Jr.)
• Convention or meeting coverage: “A journey of forgiveness on Botham Jean’s island” (Erik Tryggestad)
At the Red Tie Gala, members of Botham Jean’s family (from left, aunt Desma Charles, father Bertrum Jean, mother Allison Jean, sister Alyssa Charles-Finley and brother Valdez Franklin) watch a video about the Botham Jean Foundation’s accomplishments.
• Feature article — international reporting (short format): “Why go back to Ukraine?” (Erik Tryggestad)
• Personal experience (short format): Pope Francis yearned to be with ‘the least of these’ (Erik Tryggestad)
Evangelical Press Association Awards
FIRST PLACE
• Emerging Journalist Award: Calvin Cockrell
• General article (short): “Church-supported nonprofit loses, then regains, USAID funding after reprieve from Elon Musk” (Erik Tryggestad)
• Single photo (candid): “In the land of ‘The Savior,’ Bibles are welcomed” (Audrey Jackson)
Children rehearse for a play at the La Palma Christian School in El Salvador.
SECOND PLACE
• Reporting: “In secular France, Christians work to bring new life to old monastery” (Bobby Ross Jr.)
• Column: Insight (Erik Tryggestad), including “Did Jesus come to bring division?” and “One man with God is everything.”
Erik Tryggestad sings hymns alongside Thailand missionary Robert Reagan and church members from across Asia during the “Bricks to Blessings” banquet hosted by the Moulmein Church of Christ.
THIRD PLACE
• Student Writer of the Year: “A Spanglish church where all are welcome” (Andrew Reneau)
• Department: International news (Erik Tryggestad and Audrey Jackson)
FOURTH PLACE
• Article series: “In search of Shalom — the struggle for divine reconciliation” (Erik Tryggestad)
• Personality article: “Confessions of a Jesus Freak” (Jerry Mitchell)
• Cover design: April 2025 front page (Audrey Jackson)
Front page of the April 2025 edition of The Christian Chronicle.
FIFTH PLACE
• Article series: “Faith in France: Exploring spiritual renewal in a secular country” (Bobby Ross Jr.)
• Editorial: “There is one body, so let’s act like it” (Calvin Cockrell)
Religion News Association Awards
SECOND PLACE
• Excellence in audio: Commentary and conversation: Episode 111, The Christian Chronicle Podcast (B.T. Irwin and Kenneth Pybus)
• Excellence in analysis and explanatory reporting: Weekend Plug-in columns for Religion Unplugged and the Chronicle (Bobby Ross Jr.), including “A miracle in my family — it’s time to tell the story” and “Grief and guilt after Texas over flooding deaths.”
Tod Dillard, second from left, with his wife Tracie, sister Tamie and brother-in-law Bobby at the Farris Church of Christ in southeastern Oklahoma.
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