Faith Facts

• The Christian Chronicle earned 28 national journalism awards, including first place honors in eight categories across three major faith-based journalism competitions
• The publication received the Best in Class award as overall top newspaper for the 10th time from the Associated Church Press
• Awards recognized excellence in international reporting, biographical profiles, and coverage of Christian communities serving their neighbors during natural disasters

The Christian Chronicle has once again demonstrated that faith-based journalism can achieve the highest standards of excellence, earning 28 national awards from three major Christian journalism organizations. The Oklahoma-based international newspaper serving Churches of Christ claimed top honors in multiple categories, including the prestigious Best in Class award for the 10th time.

The awards came from the Associated Church Press, the Evangelical Press Association, and the Religion News Association. Judges praised the publication’s consistent voice and commitment to quality storytelling that serves the Christian community worldwide.

“Quite a selection of reading, all smoothly written with a consistent voice,” the ACP judge commented, recognizing the Chronicle’s dedication to maintaining high journalistic standards while serving its faith community.

The honors were presented at conventions in Toronto, Franklin, Tennessee, and Decatur, Georgia. Chronicle President and CEO Erik Tryggestad and Editor-in-Chief Bobby Ross Jr. responded with humility to the recognition.

“We are extremely honored and humbled by these awards,” they 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.”

Among the first-place honors, the Chronicle’s coverage of California Christians helping neighbors after devastating fires demonstrated how believers put faith into action during crisis. The story “While mourning fire losses, California church helps neighbors and trusts God” showed Christians prioritizing service to their community even while processing their own losses.

The publication’s in-depth reporting on Texas flooding included powerful accounts of tragedy, survival, and community response. Stories captured both the heartbreak of lives lost and the resilience of Christians organizing emergency aid for their neighbors.

International reporting excellence was recognized through profiles of believers serving in challenging mission fields. One award-winning story followed an Algerian immigrant couple who found their calling in secular France, working to bring new life to an old monastery and sharing the Gospel in a spiritually challenging environment.

The Chronicle’s “In search of Shalom” series exploring divine reconciliation earned first place for theme coverage from the Associated Church Press and fourth place from the Evangelical Press Association. This multi-part examination addressed how Christians can pursue peace and unity in divisive times.

Reporter Erik Tryggestad’s biographical profile of Andrew Hairston, described as “the strength that runs through our veins,” took first place for biographical writing. The story demonstrated how individual Christians impact their communities through faithful service and leadership.

The Evangelical Press Association recognized emerging journalist Calvin Cockrell with their top emerging journalist award. His editorial “There is one body, so let’s act like it” also earned fifth place honors, showing young Christian journalists are carrying forward the mission of quality faith-based reporting.

Coverage of the Botham Jean Foundation’s work received third place for convention reporting. The story chronicled a journey of forgiveness on the island home of the young Christian man whose 2018 murder sparked national attention and difficult conversations about justice, mercy, and reconciliation.

The Religion News Association gave second place honors for audio excellence to the Christian Chronicle Podcast, recognizing quality conversation and commentary that extends the publication’s reach beyond print. Weekend Plug-in columns covering religion news also earned second place for analysis and explanatory reporting.

International coverage remained a strength, with stories from France, Ukraine, El Salvador, and across Asia earning multiple awards. These reports highlighted how Christians worldwide face unique challenges while remaining faithful to the Gospel message.

Visual storytelling received recognition through awards for photography and design. A candid photo of children rehearsing for a play at a Christian school in El Salvador earned first place, while the April 2025 front page design took fourth place honors.

The comprehensive recognition across multiple categories—from breaking news to features, from domestic to international reporting, from print to digital—demonstrates the Chronicle’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of Christian journalism. These awards affirm that faith-based media can meet and exceed professional standards while maintaining a clear spiritual mission.

As secular media often marginalizes or misunderstands Christian perspectives, the success of the Christian Chronicle shows the vital importance of professional journalism rooted in biblical values and committed to serving the church. The publication continues to prove that excellence in journalism and faithfulness to Christian principles go hand in hand.

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Faith Facts

• A Trump administration memo has altered longstanding immigration procedures affecting those who entered the U.S. legally
• World Relief, an evangelical humanitarian organization, has voiced strong concerns about the policy change
• The modification could require lawful immigrants to leave the country while awaiting permanent residence status

A significant shift in immigration policy has drawn criticism from an evangelical humanitarian organization, raising questions about the treatment of individuals who entered the United States through legal channels. The Trump administration has issued a policy memo that fundamentally changes how certain immigrants seeking permanent residence must proceed with their applications.

World Relief, a Christian organization with decades of experience in refugee resettlement and immigration assistance, has condemned the policy change. The organization warns that the new directive could force many immigrants who came to America lawfully to leave the country while they pursue legal permanent residence status.

The policy modification represents a departure from previous procedures that allowed certain immigrants to remain in the United States while their applications were processed. Under the new guidance, individuals seeking to adjust their immigration status may be required to return to their countries of origin during the application period, creating potential hardships for families and disrupting established lives.

This development has sparked debate within faith communities about how America should balance immigration enforcement with compassion for those following legal pathways. The issue touches on core concerns about family unity, economic stability, and the practical challenges faced by those navigating the complex immigration system.

For many conservative Christians, the situation presents a tension between support for the rule of law and concern for vulnerable populations. The affected individuals are not illegal border crossers but rather people who entered through proper channels and are seeking to complete their legal immigration process.

World Relief and other faith-based organizations argue that requiring lawful immigrants to leave the country during processing creates unnecessary hardship and may discourage legal immigration. They emphasize that these are individuals who have already demonstrated their commitment to following American law by entering through authorized means.

The policy change comes amid broader efforts by the administration to reform immigration procedures and reduce the number of individuals residing in the United States without proper documentation. Supporters of stricter immigration enforcement argue that clear, consistent rules are necessary to maintain the integrity of the legal immigration system.

As the debate continues, faith leaders are calling for policies that uphold both the rule of law and biblical principles of compassion. The challenge remains finding an approach that secures borders while treating those who seek to follow legal pathways with dignity and fairness.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• Over 1.3 million American service members have died in combat throughout our nation’s history, with millions more wounded defending freedom and liberty.
• The Civil War remains America’s deadliest conflict, claiming more American lives than any other war as brothers fought brothers on American soil.
• Memorial Day began after the Civil War as Decoration Day, a sacred tradition of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Every Memorial Day, Americans across this great nation pause to remember and honor the brave service members who never returned home from war. These men and women laid down their lives to preserve the freedoms we cherish today—freedoms grounded in faith, family, and the principles our Founding Fathers established.

As we gather with loved ones and bow our heads in prayer, it’s important to reflect on the true cost of liberty. The following seven conflicts represent the bloodiest chapters in American military history, where hundreds of thousands of patriots answered the call of duty.

The Civil War (1861-1865)

America’s deadliest conflict claimed approximately 620,000 to 750,000 lives, though some historians now estimate the toll may have been even higher. This tragedy saw American fighting American as the nation tore itself apart over fundamental questions about freedom, federalism, and human dignity.

The war tested whether a nation conceived in liberty could endure. Brother fought brother, and families were divided as the Union fought to preserve the Republic while the Confederacy sought independence.

World War II (1941-1945)

Over 405,000 Americans gave their lives fighting tyranny across Europe and the Pacific. This generation, rightly called the Greatest Generation, stood against fascism and Imperial aggression to preserve freedom for the entire world.

American servicemen stormed the beaches of Normandy, island-hopped across the Pacific, and liberated concentration camps. Their sacrifice ensured that liberty would triumph over evil and that future generations could live in freedom.

World War I (1917-1918)

Though America entered late, approximately 116,000 Americans died in what was then called the Great War. Our troops helped turn the tide in Europe, proving that American resolve could make the difference between victory and defeat.

The doughboys who crossed the Atlantic demonstrated American courage and commitment to defending freedom beyond our shores. Many never saw their families again.

The Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Over 58,000 American service members died in Southeast Asia during this controversial and painful conflict. These brave men and women served with honor even as the war divided the nation at home.

Many Vietnam veterans returned to a country that failed to properly honor their service. Their sacrifice deserves our lasting gratitude and respect, regardless of political disagreements about the war itself.

The Korean War (1950-1953)

Nearly 37,000 Americans died defending South Korea from Communist invasion from the North. Often called the Forgotten War, Korea represented the first major conflict of the Cold War era.

American forces fought in brutal conditions to preserve freedom on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea’s transformation into a thriving democracy and economic powerhouse stands as a testament to their sacrifice.

The Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

Approximately 25,000 Americans died fighting for independence from British rule. These patriots risked everything—their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor—to establish a nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

Without their willingness to die for freedom, there would be no United States of America. They gave birth to the greatest nation in human history.

The War of 1812 (1812-1815)

About 15,000 Americans died defending the young Republic during what some called the Second War of Independence. British forces even burned the White House, but American resolve proved unbreakable.

This conflict solidified American independence and national identity. It produced our national anthem and proved that the American experiment would endure.

As we observe Memorial Day, let us remember that freedom is never free. Every generation of Americans has been called to defend liberty, and many have paid the ultimate price. We owe them a debt that can never be fully repaid—only honored through our own commitment to the values they died defending.

These fallen heroes believed in something greater than themselves. They believed in God, country, and the sacred cause of human freedom. May we never forget their sacrifice, and may we strive to be worthy of the legacy they left behind.

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