Earlier this year, NRB announced the recipients of the 2021 NRB Media Awards, recognizing the most outstanding ministries, organizations, and programs/producers in the world’s largest association of Christian communicators.
“What a blessing to see these NRB members recognized for excellence in their faithful service in spreading the Gospel. They have allowed themselves to be used by God for His honor and for His glory,” NRB CEO Troy Miller said. “I look forward to celebrating and honoring their lives and work in June at NRB 2021.”
The annual NRB Awards program is designed to encourage excellence in production, service to the community, faithfulness to the mission, commitment to the Gospel, and personal integrity. NRB Media Awards are presented to organizations and ministries for creativity, excellence, and effectiveness in their respective fields of radio, television, digital media, church media, and international.
Radio Awards
Radio Station of the Year
The Radio Station of the Year award is presented to a radio station that is innovative, locally focused, and effectively impacts its market through community service, promotions and marketing, outreach, ratings, and/or other means. This year’s Radio Station of the Year award goes to KCBI.
KCBI has broadcasted Encouraging Music …Words of Hope to North Texas through great Bible teaching and uplifting music since 1976. 90.9KCBI is a movement of God to communicate the Good News of Jesus’ love and transforming power.
“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.”
Through ministry partners like Mission Arlington, Bridges to Life, and Bill Glass Behind the Walls, KCBI provided food, Bibles, and hope to those in need as well as Bibles for prisoners in Texas prisons.
Radio Program of the Year
The Radio Program of the Year award is presented to a radio program that impacts listeners by being compelling, relevant, informative, personable, and entertaining, while demonstrating an authentic Christian faith. This year’s Radio Program of the Year award recipient is Richard Ellis Talks.
Richard Ellis Talks has one central Kingdom mission—to take the planet! 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.
In staying current with cultural trends and topics, the ministry incorporates daily connection and communication through the radio program, text alerts, an informative user-friendly website, personal email and phone replies, active social media platforms, and more. Every single element is meticulously constructed with the highest degree of excellence to fully capture the listener’s attention and get them interactive with the ministry.
“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.”
Radio Impact Award
The Radio Impact Award is presented to a person, station, program, network, or ministry that has illustrated over time a consistent and unique impact within the Christian radio industry and/or to the Body of Christ as a whole. This year, Insight for Living is receiving 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. The ministry’s goal is for men and women around the world to have their lives transformed through hearing the gospel, receiving God’s amazing grace, and learning to become spiritually self-sustaining disciples.
In each half hour program, listeners encounter the deep truths of scripture, presented with Chuck Swindoll’s characteristic charm and winsomeness. Although the Insight For Living archive contains well over 40 years’ worth of teaching material to draw from, Swindoll is still in the pulpit and continues to produce fresh content.
Television Awards
Television Station of the Year
The NRB Television Station of the Year must display innovative and creative programming through its daily schedule; be a force for the Gospel in its coverage of Christian events, issues, and stories; demonstrate a commitment to produce original programming to meet the spiritual needs of its viewing audiences; and work in partnership with churches and ministries to provide a media platform for voices unable to be heard elsewhere. This year’s Television Station of the year award recipient is 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. The channel has produced programs answering questions/doubts Muslims have about the Bible and sharing testimonies of believers who came from different backgrounds. It produced songs and programs to encourage the believers in their daily walk with the Lord and broadcasts weekly live events.
Television Program of the Year
The recipient of the NRB Television Program of the Year Award demonstrates a unique vision and commitment to innovation and quality. The program must have a solid Biblical worldview and demonstrate a compelling use of the television medium from both artistic and technical standpoints. The program should engage the culture in a compelling way and demonstrate an ability to expand a Christ-centered influence in the culture. This year, Amazing Facts International Ministry is receiving 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.
Their award-winning program, “Kingdoms in Time,” is a documentary hosted by Pastor Doug Batchelor, who explores the most striking Bible predictions that have come true—from nations rising and falling to the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Journey through ancient Israel and hear from expert theologians, historians, and archaeologists on how we can know these prophecies were written in advance and what it means for the ones that have yet to come true.
Best Messaging Campaign
The recipient of the NRB Television Messaging Campaign of the Year Award demonstrates exceptional creativity, innovation, and excellence in production quality as it stands for free speech and/or against the threats to free speech or religion. The messaging campaign must demonstrate creativity in its presentation of the issue and engage the viewer to action. 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.
Best Use of Multiple Media
The recipient of the NRB Best Use of Multiple Media Award demonstrates exceptional creativity, innovation, and excellence in its use of at least three types of media, including television. Its campaign must advance a specific message, and its content and technical quality standards must be done to a standard of excellence. The recipient will demonstrate in its entry how each media was used effectively to advance its message and complement its use of other media. 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. Daily outreach includes the production of more than 700 prayer-focused radio features each year, airing on more than 530 radio stations across all 50 states, plus television outreach, online audio and video content, and special Prayer Alerts for solemn and important events including natural disasters, national tragedies, and the passing of political leaders. Ultimately, the Presidential Prayer Team believes that prayer will transform our nation, one heart at a time.
Digital Media Awards
Best Digital Campaign
This award is presented to an organization that is engaging people through the use of a digital campaign initiative, and this year’s 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 a brand-new initiative called First Liberty Live!. The program consists of live events broadcast on Facebook and Zoom and features key national leaders providing expert commentary on the escalating fight to preserve religious freedom during the unprecedented and historic year.
The program has reached over 500,000 people through an extensive ad campaign and amassed over 1000 hours watched on Facebook. The initial campaign also generated nearly $300,000 in donations from both new and current FLI supporters.
Throughout September, in an innovate, first-of-its-kind campaign—First Liberty took to the road to California in a special FLI Live!-branded mobile studio to capture first-hand accounts of the people, places, and events at the epicenter of this seminal frontlines clash between churches, schools, synagogues and hostile government mandates that are unfairly and unjustly targeting people of faith.
Best Digital Experience
The Best Digital Experience Award applies toward a single branded online communication channel across any platform such as an organization’s website, responsive website, mobile website, iOS or Android app, Facebook page, or other specific digital property. 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.
In the Spring of 2020 HOPE ON DEMAND® began a digital experience that lead to more than 2 million impressions through a Living Room Concert Series. HOPE ON DEMAND® exceled in partnering with artists from each week’s concert. In total, HOPE ON DEMAND® offered eight shows for the Spring series with artists, such as Elevation Worship, Matt Maher, and Natalie Grant. During each show, the HOPE ON DEMAND® team offered prayer via onscreen messaging, as well as moderators in the chats offering prayer during and after the show. With this concert series, HOPE ON DEMAND® was able to reach around the world, with people joining these broadcasts from the Philippines, Ireland, Canada, South America, and of course all over the United States.
Most Innovative Digital Method
The most innovative digital method or experience applies toward a single event, tactic, or technology that utilized trending and cutting-edge strategies to move Christ-centered communication forward. This year, 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.
The Light FM’s Commencement 2020 LIVE!, a live virtual event celebrating graduating seniors who weren’t able to have graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, earned Blue Ridge Broadcasting this award.
Church Media Awards
Best Short Form Video
This award is presented to a church for a short-form production that demonstrates outstanding creativity, use of technology, team involvement, and effectiveness. 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. A couple of years ago, they created a short film about the life of Martin Luther with adult actors pantomiming kids’ voices. John Calvin is the most recent of what has become this hit, short series.
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.
Best Long Form Video
This award is presented to a church of any size for a long-form production for the purpose of special events, weekly television programs, or documentaries. This year’s award recipient is Carl Barnhill of TwelveThirty Media for his “EASTER ACROSS AMERICA: Broadcast Event” production.
Twelve:Thirty Media exists to help churches, ministries, and artists transform their Worship Experiences through media content and training. We help the local Church around the world see salvation and spiritual growth by helping them create worship experiences that set the environment for God to change lives.
The Easter Across America Event was a Digital Event held on Easter night 2020. It featured a host of artists and speakers including Andy Stanley, Michael W. Smith, Max Lucado, Bob Goff, Casting Crowns, Luis Palau, Johnny Hunt, and a host of others. This event was broadcast to millions of homes with record viewing on Facebook and YouTube. 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.
Best Promotional Campaign
This award is presented to a church for a multimedia campaign that promotes the church’s image, event, or other message by using a variety of media platforms, including broadcast, social media, print, and other means. Carl Barnhill of TwelveThirty Media also received this award for his “EASTER ACROSS AMERICA: Promo Video.”
International Awards
International Media
This award is presented to an organization based outside the United States that excels in media ministry and in innovative uses of electronic media in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ in impacting the target culture. 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.
Today, SAT-7 operates four free-to-view Christ-centered channels broadcasting 24/7 in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish. With more than 90% of the MENA population having a satellite dish, SAT-7 can reach over 560MM people in a region where less than 5% are Christians and millions lack access to the Gospel by any other means.
International Impact
This award is presented to an individual or organization that is having an impact outside the United States, who demonstrates a strong personal commitment to proclaiming Christ through electronic media, working with integrity and faithfulness to influence a culture for Christ. This year’s 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.
FEBC has insisted on empowering local Christians to do the work of the Gospel, while giving indigenous leaders the tools and resources to become successful in broadcast ministry. FEBC provides ongoing international training for planning and budgeting, fundraising, and managing a workforce. As a result, FEBC’s programs are transmitted worldwide using a wide array of media technology, spanning 124 languages and 49 countries worldwide to reach a potential listening audience of 4 billion people with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Strategic Partnership
This award is presented to an individual or organization that has forged an effective partnership with an indigenous ministry, marked by strategic planning and cooperation with indigenous co-workers, sensitivity to cultural distinctives, and an impactful Christian outreach in the target culture. 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. The short, practical messages are translated, contextualized and shared on-air and online in 20 languages, that are spoken by approximately 3.6 billion people around the world.
Guidelines International Ministries and Shema Media Group have partnered to bring hope in Christ to the people groups of Turkey, Northern Syria and Southern Iraq, through translation, production and broadcast of Guidelines simple, biblical, contextualized audio devotionals and ministry to women in the Turkish church.
“You cannot imagine what an encouraging blessing the Guidelines programs are in Turkey for Radio Shema,” Soner Tufan, Radio Shema general manager said. “Even before the listeners receive the programs, the translators, readers, editors and presenters are blessed. The programs are like spiritual meat for us and their messages cross all cultures.”
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All award recipients will be honored during the NRB 2021 Christian Media Convention, which will take place June 21-24, 2021 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.
