News
Faith-Based Journalism Excellence Recognized with Historic 10th Best in Class Honor
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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News
Megachurch Pastor Running for Senate Makes Surprising Claim About Evangelical Voters
Faith Facts
- Adam Hamilton, a United Methodist pastor and author, is running as a Democrat for U.S. Senate in Kansas
- Hamilton claims to be receiving support from conservative Evangelical voters despite his party affiliation
- The pastor has been vocal about his opposition to traditional conservative positions on key cultural and political issues
A prominent megachurch pastor is making waves in Kansas politics with bold claims about his appeal to conservative Christian voters. Adam Hamilton, longtime leader of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, says he’s successfully courting Evangelical support in his Democratic bid for U.S. Senate.
Hamilton has led one of the nation’s largest United Methodist congregations for decades. Now he’s seeking to translate that influence into political power, positioning himself as a bridge between progressive politics and faith-based voters.
The pastor’s campaign strategy raises important questions for Christian conservatives. Can a candidate running on a Democratic platform truly represent traditional Evangelical values? Hamilton’s record suggests a significant gap between his stated outreach and the principles most conservative Christians hold dear.
Throughout his ministry, Hamilton has taken positions that place him at odds with orthodox Christian teaching on marriage, sexuality, and the sanctity of life. His claims of conservative Evangelical support warrant careful scrutiny from voters who prioritize biblical fidelity and constitutional principles.
Kansas remains a reliably conservative state where traditional values resonate strongly with the electorate. The state’s Evangelical community has historically supported candidates who champion religious freedom, protect the unborn, and uphold traditional marriage.
Hamilton’s candidacy represents a test of whether celebrity status and pastoral credentials can overcome substantive policy differences. For Christian voters, the question isn’t about personality or charisma—it’s about which candidate will defend their values in Washington.
The Democratic Party’s platform continues to diverge from traditional Christian positions on fundamental issues. Any candidate running under that banner faces an uphill battle convincing conservative Evangelicals their values will be represented and protected.
As the campaign unfolds, Kansas voters will need to look beyond rhetoric and examine the actual policy positions candidates support. Faith without works is dead, Scripture tells us—and political promises without alignment on core values ring equally hollow.
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News
Freed American Missionary Pilot Returns Home to White House Welcome
Faith Facts
- American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout has been freed after being detained abroad and is returning home to the United States.
- President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Rideout and his wife, Krista, at the White House following his return.
- The meeting highlights the administration’s commitment to securing the release of Americans detained overseas and supporting faith-based humanitarian workers.
Kevin Rideout, an American missionary pilot who serves on the mission field, has been released from detention and is headed home to reunite with his family. Once he arrives on U.S. soil, he and his wife, Krista, are expected to visit the White House for a meeting with President Donald Trump.
The anticipated White House meeting underscores the Trump administration’s dedication to bringing Americans home from foreign detention. President Trump has made the safe return of detained Americans a priority throughout his time in office, working through diplomatic channels to secure their freedom.
Missionary pilots like Kevin Rideout play a vital role in Christian humanitarian work around the world. These aviation missionaries provide essential transportation services to remote areas, delivering medical supplies, food, and personnel to communities that would otherwise be inaccessible. Their work embodies the Christian call to serve others and spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
The Rideout family’s story is one of faith, perseverance, and answered prayer. Throughout Kevin’s detention, the Christian community rallied in prayer support, trusting God for his safe return. His release represents not only a diplomatic victory but also a testament to the power of persistent prayer and God’s faithfulness.
Details surrounding the circumstances of Rideout’s detention and the diplomatic efforts that led to his release have not been fully disclosed. However, the successful outcome demonstrates the importance of maintaining strong relationships with foreign governments and advocating firmly for American citizens abroad.
The White House meeting will provide an opportunity for President Trump to personally welcome Rideout home and hear firsthand about his experiences. Such meetings also serve to highlight the often-overlooked work of Christian missionaries who sacrifice comfort and security to serve others in Jesus’ name.
For the Rideout family, this reunion marks the end of a difficult chapter and the beginning of healing and restoration. The missionary community continues to celebrate Kevin’s safe return while remaining mindful of other Americans and Christian workers who remain detained in foreign countries.
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News
Hackers Target British Christian Charities in Major Data Breach
Faith Facts
- A cyber-security attack has compromised data belonging to multiple Christian organizations across the United Kingdom
- Unauthorized hackers gained access to sensitive information held by faith-based charities
- Christian ministries and charitable groups are facing the fallout from this coordinated digital assault on their networks
Christian charities throughout the United Kingdom are reeling from a significant cyber-security breach that has exposed their organizational data to unauthorized access. The attack represents a troubling escalation in threats against faith-based institutions.
Multiple Christian organizations have confirmed that hackers successfully penetrated their digital security systems, gaining access to sensitive information. The breach affects numerous ministries and charitable groups that serve communities across Britain through their faith-driven missions.
The cyber attack raises serious concerns about the vulnerability of religious organizations to digital threats. Many Christian charities operate with limited technology budgets, making them potentially attractive targets for malicious actors seeking to exploit security weaknesses.
Faith-based organizations often handle sensitive donor information, volunteer records, and details about vulnerable populations they serve. The unauthorized access puts this confidential data at risk and could potentially compromise the privacy of countless individuals who support or benefit from these ministries.
Security experts warn that religious charities must prioritize cyber-security measures to protect their missions and the people they serve. The attack serves as a wake-up call for Christian organizations worldwide to assess their digital defenses and implement stronger protective measures.
The incident highlights the growing need for faith communities to invest in robust cyber-security infrastructure. As ministries increasingly rely on digital platforms for fundraising, communication, and service delivery, they face mounting risks from sophisticated cyber criminals.
Christian leaders are urging affected organizations to immediately assess the extent of the breach and notify anyone whose information may have been compromised. Transparency and swift action remain essential to maintaining trust with donors, volunteers, and those served by these ministries.
The attack on British Christian charities underscores a broader pattern of threats facing religious institutions in an increasingly digital age. Protecting the faithful and their charitable work requires vigilance, investment, and cooperation among faith-based organizations.
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