Evangelical Press Association again recognizes Christian Chronicle as top newspaper
LEXINGTON, Ky. — For the fifth time in the past…
Christian Chronicle wins a dozen national ‘Best of the Church Press’ Awards
The Associated Church Press presented the honors at its annual convention in Chicago.
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CHICAGO — The Christian Chronicle earned a dozen national “Best of the Church Press” Awards — including first place in five categories — from the Associated Church Press.
The honors, presented Friday night at the ACP’s annual convention in Chicago, recognized stories ranging from ethnically diverse churches across the U.S. to a special-needs ministry in North Carolina to a chronic-pain support group in Oklahoma.
Scroll to the bottom for a full list of winners, celebrated for work produced in 2023.
The Christian Chronicle has won 177 awards from the Associated Church Press since 2007.
“This is the best team I’ve ever worked with, and they’re doing the best work we’ve ever done,” said Erik Tryggestad, the Chronicle’s president and CEO, who joined the staff as a reporter in 2001. “I’m thrilled that the judges recognized their hard work. None of them gets the credit they deserve for their service to the kingdom, and no award can convey that.”
The Chronicle has placed in the ACP contest 18 years in a row, winning 177 awards from the religious press group since 2007.
“We strive hard to produce high-quality journalism that honors God and serves our readers,” said Bobby Ross Jr., the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, who came to the Chronicle in 2005. “We are extremely grateful for the recognition from the ACP.”
Related: Evangelical Press Association again recognizes Christian Chronicle as top newspaper
Tryggestad, who has filed Chronicle stories from 90 countries and territories, attended this week’s convention, held at the historic Fourth Presbyterian Church in downtown Chicago.
“The ACP is a diverse, eclectic group of journalists who serve publications for Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians, AME churches, Baptists, Mennonites — the list goes on,” Tryggestad said. “We don’t have the same beliefs, but we’re all dedicated to telling the stories of our fellowships and getting them right. I was impressed and humbled by the level of respect they have for what we do at The Christian Chronicle.”
“Covering Conflict in a Polarized World” was the meeting’s theme. Speakers covered topics including the use of artificial intelligence in reporting, statistical data that contradicts popular narratives about migration and immigration, and how faith-based publications can use vertical cellphone video to reach new generations through social media apps including TikTok and Instagram reels.
Tryggestad joined Chris Herlinger and Gail DeGeorge of the Global Sisters Report, a project of the National Catholic Reporter, to present a class on “Covering Global Conflict for Faith-Based Publications.”
Gregg Brekke, center, serves as executive director of the Associated Church Press. He attended a session on “Covering Conflict in a Polarized World” that included The Christian Chronicle’s Erik Tryggestad.
The Christian Chronicle’s Erik Tryggestad, right, with Gail DeGeorge and Chris Herlinger of the Global Sisters Report.
Herlinger, who has traveled extensively to locales including Haiti, Sudan and, most recently, Ukraine, shared advice for reporters who cover their faith groups in conflict zones: Know the history. Minimize your presence in your writing. Don’t romanticize the assignment.
Related: Religion News Association honors Bobby Ross Jr. with Supple Award for Feature Writing
“I shared how I had learned most of Chris’ lessons the hard way,” Tryggestad said. “I gave some examples from my trip to Ukraine after the war started in 2022 and talked about finding stories of God at work even in the midst of chaos. It was great meeting another faith-based reporter who has been through some of the same things I’ve experienced.”
The Chronicle’s award winners:
First place
• Local reporting (short format): Audrey Jackson for “Making Jesus more accessible” from Raleigh, N.C.
Judge’s comment: “This is everything good reporting should be — timely topic, well researched, strong personal angle with great quotes. It’s a superior effort.”
Quentin Germain, who has low muscle tone, sings with the praise team at the Brooks Avenue Church of Christ in Raleigh, N.C.
• • •
• Denominational politics: Cheryl Mann Bacon for “One hurricane, two churches” from Malibu, Calif.
Judge’s comment: “Denominational politics doesn’t naturally lend itself to excellent writing since the background can take so long to explain, and it’s often mired in details, yet here’s a simple tale told expertly with its deeper meaning belying the ease of reading. If only more denominational quandaries could be unraveled in this style.”
The Waves Church meets on a Sunday night in Stauffer Chapel.
• • •
• News story (short format): Bobby Ross Jr. for “‘It’s the same Jesus'” from Chicago.
Judge’s comment: “As an old news writer turned minister, I really enjoy well-done feature stories. This has it all. Really well done. Congrats.”
Christians enjoy a potluck meal at the Northwest Church of Christ in Chicago.
• • •
• Theme issue, section or series: Bobby Ross Jr. and Audrey Jackson for “United Nations of Faith.”
Judge’s comment: “A thoroughly reported exploration of where the church meets a world without borders. The stories stand very well independently but truly come to life when held together. A fantastic series that is commendable and exemplary.”
Pedestrians cross the street in front of the hostel where the Upper West Manhattan Church of Christ meets.
• • •
• Service journalism: Bobby Ross Jr. and Audrey Jackson for “A lifeline for people who hurt — all the time” from Woodward, Okla., and related column “What it means to live in pain.”
Judge’s comment: “A fantastic piece rooted in data, carefully researched and presented. The recount of stories of pain, the inclusion of medical experts, the rawness of the room where people bare their souls — it’s all here as a wonderful illustration of a space the church must meet. This is a wonderful example of why religious journalism still matters.”
The Broken & Mended support group meets at the Woodward Church of Christ in Oklahoma.
• • •
Second place
• International reporting (short format): Bobby Ross Jr. for “How a Russian immigrant came to serve Ukrainian refugees” from Houston.
• Humor, written: Erik Tryggestad for “Words I had to look up at the Christian Scholars’ Conference.”
Third place
• International reporting (short format): Audrey Jackson for “‘If they go into full-time ministry, they’ll go back to poverty'” from Benoni, South Africa.
• Convention or meeting coverage: Erik Tryggestad for coverage of the Luso-Africa Global Gathering in Angola.
• Theme issue, section or series (tie): Bobby Ross Jr. and Audrey Jackson for “No Limits.”
• Theme issue, section or series (tie): Bobby Ross Jr., Audrey Jackson, Cheryl Mann Bacon and Calvin Cockrell, for “Sacred Calling.”
• Single photo with article or cutline: Audrey Jackson for “Kerusso Experience trains high schoolers to fill empty pulpits.”
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