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Spring is award season for the and the , two professional organizations supporting Christian journalism in North America. Each year both organizations recognize members for achievements in design and editorial work, presenting the awards at annual conventions. The 2022 EPA awards were presented April 12, during the association’s 2022 convention in Colorado Springs. The Banner received the Award of Excellence for denominational (digital) publication as well as two Higher Goals awards for work published in 2021. The Associated Church Press presented its accolades May 12 during the virtual . The Banner received an honorable mention in the category of convention or meeting coverage for 2021 stories from the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates .

Evangelical Press Association awards:

The EPA’s honor the member publications’ best work overall and its recognize work in specific categories. The EPA has about 300 members and “its publications have a combined readership of more than 20 million readers,” according to the association’s .

In evaluating The Banner’s submission for the Award of Excellence, the commenting judge gave a score of 42/50 and said, “An appealing variation of pertinent content. … The simplicity enhances exploration and discovery. … A publication that serves its readers well, personally and spiritually.”

The article “The Blue Tarp,” by Beth Rinsema (June 7, 2021) received fifth place in the evangelism article category. The judge deemed Rinsema’s story “very effective in inspiring action,” commenting: “I finished reading and wanted to go meet a stranger.”

The Agony of a Son, a poem by Habib Steele (March 5, 2021), achieved fifth place in the poetry category. The judge commented: “This is a wonderful poem which reveals emotions of the writer and lures those feelings in the reader. I read this and wanted to know more of the story.”