GRAPEVINE, Texas (NRB) – On Monday afternoon, NRB hosted a special luncheon at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. The event was held to recognize the recipients of the 2021’s Church Media, Digital Media, International, Radio, and TV Industry awards. These awards recognize the most outstanding ministries, organizations, and programs/producers in the world’s largest association of Christian communicators.
Dr. Eric Scalise, Senior Vice President and Strategy Officer of Hope for the Heart, an event sponsor, emphasized the concern of increasing mental health issues and abuse, especially during the past pandemic year.
“One out of every three girls, and one out of every four to five boys will experience some form of abuse before they graduate high school,” Scalise said.
To combat these issues, Hope for the Heart has developed a program called Lifeline to Hope, a resource composed of caregivers who provide support, encouragement, spiritual care, and referral services to individuals struggling with mental health and abuse. Scalise encouraged attendees to partner with them and be a voice of hope for a world that desperately needs it.
Abby Johnson, CEO of ProLove Ministries, another event sponsor, shared her mission to “make abortion unthinkable.” ProLove Ministries has launched the LoveLine—a 24-hour crisis call line created to serve pregnant women. Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director, said that she hopes LoveLine will help stop the reasons women feel the need to have abortions. So far, LoveLine has helped over 1,000 women and children in need.
“Over a million abortions are taking place every single year in our country. We must all step up to do our part to end the scourge on our nation,” Johnson said.
After the event’s sponsors spoke, the NRB committee chairs presented the 2021 Media and Special Services awards to this year’s recipients.
The Best TV Program of the Year Award went to Amazing Facts International Ministry for their program “Kingdoms in Time.” Wayne Leman accepted this award on behalf of the ministry for his work as producer and director of the program.
“It’s an honor to be a part of an organization that brings the gospel to millions of people around the world through media,” Leman said. “I was so blessed and inspired by the many talented people and miracles that God provided to us in the production of the TV program ‘Kingdoms in Time.’”
Leman acknowledged the NRB’s support in his organization’s efforts.
“I want to thank NRB for recognizing the efforts of Amazing Facts in this way. I also want to thank the many supporters of the ministry and Doug Batchelor for their zeal to reach millions of searching souls across the world. Thank you for all the prayers and support in making this production a reality.”
CEO of the NRB Troy Miller ended the event with a word of encouragement and hope for the future.
“Isn’t it good to be together for the cause of the gospel and for the furtherance of the kingdom of God? We know we’re going to reach a culture and get to that day when we can lay all of our crowns at the feet of Christ and the joy that we will feel will be overwhelming.”
This year’s Radio Station of the Year award went to KCBI. They have been broadcasting Encouraging Music …Words of Hope to North Texas through great Bible teaching and uplifting music since 1976.
“We are always amazed about how God is using the ministry of 90.9 KCBI,” a station spokesperson said. “This year, we sought to minister to listeners frightened and bewildered as the coronavirus pandemic swept not just the DFW community, but the world.”
This year’s Radio Program of the Year award recipient was Richard Ellis Talks. By utilizing and maximizing the power of radio, video, internet, social media, mobile devices, and all content distribution platforms, Richard Ellis Talks is fulfilling its mission to take the planet by making an impact for the glory of God as the ministry boldly shares His truth with the entire world.
“Radio is the vehicle, our website and popular social media provide the interior comfort, but there is no doubt that Richard is the Ferrari engine,” a ministry spokesperson said. “His endless enthusiasm and creativity constantly drives the ministry to uncharted and uncommon territory.”
This year, Insight for Living received the Radio Impact award. Since 1979, Insight for Living Ministries has faithfully broadcast God’s Word. Their commitment to excellence includes communicating the truths of Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ in an accurate, clear, and practical manner.
This year’s Television Station of the year award recipient was THE KINGDOM SAT. THE KINGDOM SAT is a satellite television channel launched in 2009 to broadcast the Good News to one of the most spiritually hungry parts of the world. This channel is making biblical truth available to more than 195 million homes throughout the Arabic-speaking populations worldwide.
This year, Amazing Facts International Ministry received the Television Program of the Year award. Through television, radio, websites, publishing, live evangelistic and revival events, Bible schools, and more, Amazing Facts has been reaching the farthest reaches of the globe with life-transforming Bible truth—teaching people about Jesus.
This year, James Kennedy Ministries’ campaign “Billionaire Radical: George Soros and the Scheme to Remake America” received NRB’s Best Messaging Campaign award. James Kennedy Ministries, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, seeks to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the supremacy of His Lordship, and a biblically informed view of the world, using all available media (including television, web, and print), so that Jesus Christ would be known throughout all of the Earth and that everywhere He might be trusted, loved, and served. Learn more about their award-winning campaign here.
The Presidential Prayer Team received this year’s Best Use of Multiple Media award. The Presidential Prayer Team is a national ministry dedicated to a focused mission of encouraging and inspiring Americans to pray for our president and national and military leaders. Ultimately, the Presidential Prayer Team believes that prayer will transform our nation, one heart at a time.
This year’s Best Digital Campaign award winner is First Liberty Institute. First Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization dedicated exclusively to defending religious liberty for all Americans. In May 2020, First Liberty launched their brand-new initiative called First Liberty Live!.
HOPE ON DEMAND® is receiving this year’s Best Digital Experience award. Through videos, podcasts and blogs, HOPE ON DEMAND® helps connect people more deeply with God so they can live with hope. HOPE ON DEMAND® is a collaboration of content creators and organizational partnerships with the single-minded focus of spreading the kind of hope that is true, permanent, and found in Jesus.
Blue Ridge Broadcasting received the Most Innovative Digital Method Award from NRB. The Light FM was founded by Billy and Ruth Graham in 1962 and has been operated by Blue Ridge Broadcasting ever since. Committed to leading as many people as possible into a personal and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ, the station encourages families and individuals with hope-filled music and solid, powerful Bible teaching.
This year, Reformed Baptist Church of Riverside, CA received this award for their video “John Calvin (as told by littles).” Every year the church hosts a Reformation Night on October 31 to mark anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation. These films are completely produced by members of the church donating their time. Everyone got involved to help with everything needed—the script, camera work, costumes, props, etc.
This year’s Best Long Form Video and Best Promotional Campaign awards recipient was Carl Barnhill of TwelveThirty Media for his “EASTER ACROSS AMERICA: Broadcast Event” production and his “EASTER ACROSS AMERICA: Promo Video.” The Easter Across America Event was a Digital Event held on Easter night 2020. The event brought together a host of pastors and leaders to talk to America on Easter as most churches were shut down during the COVID pandemic.
SAT-7 received this year’s International Media award from NRB. Launched in 1995, SAT-7’s aim is to make the Gospel available in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through satellite television. While most of the region’s 24 countries are closed to the Gospel, SAT-7 is virtually un-censorable—reaching the unreached and strengthening the oppressed and persecuted Church.
The International Impact award recipient is Far East Broadcasting Company. While Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) is headquartered in La Mirada, California, the impact of its ministry is felt around the world. Launched in 1945, FEBC is a heritage American broadcaster that uses state of the art technology to reach men and women with the Gospel in third world countries.
Guidelines International received this year’s Strategic Partnership award. Guidelines International Ministries is the voice of hope for a hurting world, focusing on reaching the unreached, new believers and those living with persecution, with Bible-based audio messages that encourage and equip.
Click here for more information about this year’s media awards recipients.
NRB is the world’s preeminent association of Christian communicators. Since 1944, they have worked to protect free speech and foster excellence in communication.
