April 25, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO — Georgia Baptist communicators were recognized for outstanding work in the annual national awards competition among Southern Baptist professionals.
Index Managing Editor Joe Westbury received a first place feature writing award for a Feb. 6, 2014 package on church planting in Atlanta. The 12-page insert, which detailed how Georgia Baptists and the North American Mission Board were working together to reach the state’s largest city, received a standing ovation from NAMB trustees during a Boston board meeting the week of its publication.
In evaluating the entry in the Feature Packages category, one of the judges described the piece as “a remarkably in-depth, well-written and comprehensive view into the urban church setting and the need to reverse an alarming trend in the closing of churches. Outstanding. Excellent leads, many sources, top-notch.”
The GBC Communications office scored three wins, two for first place.
Elizabeth Locke, Jon Graham, and Rod Hampton placed first in the Print Publications category for “Spanish for Missions.”
The set of materials is used to teach Spanish to individuals intending to participate on short-term mission trips as well as in ministries in their local communities. The materials include a workbook, a set of DVDs, and audio CD.
Hampton also received a first place honor for “Life With Purpose Radio” in the Audio category. The radio program was launched in May 2009 and is heard in Georgia and nationwide on 86 radio stations well as 24-7 online at LifeWithPurposeRadio.com. Hampton is the host of the program that provides interview stories from North American and International Mission Board missionaries, GBC missionaries, missions organizations, and Christian music groups and artists.
One of the judges commented that the audio “had a nice mix of music and upbeat tempos that kept the listener engaged and interested. I loved the preview of the stories at the beginning, along with the wrap up at the end.”
Barry Dollar and Lacey Graham received third place for the state convention’s new app in the Mobile Apps category. The product, which was launched at the recent annual meeting in November, included mapping and driving directions to the annual meeting, list of local restaurants, annual meeting schedule, and reports and related content.
Other core functions include information such as ministry and staff directories, special reports, video and radio players, blog and social networking links, church locator by ZIP code with contact information and driving directions, and contact form, push notifications, and sharing button.
