CONTACT: Mark Kuyper, President and CEO, ECPA, 480-966-3998 ext. 210, mkuyper@ecpa.org
04/30/12, Chicago IL — The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) honored three recipients with the prestigious Jordon Lifetime Achievement Award — Gary and Carol Johnson, and John R.W. Stott — for their exceptional contributions in Christian publishing. The presentations were made at the 2012 ECPA Awards Banquet held April 30 at The Stonegate Conference Centre outside Chicago.
InterVarsity Press publisher Bob Fryling accepted the award on behalf of John Stott Ministries in recognition of John R.W. Stott, who died last July. Stott authored more than 50 books which have been translated into more than 60 languages and is considered one of the most respected evangelical leaders and biblical teachers in the last 100 years. His bestselling classic, Basic Christianity, has reached ECPA’s double platinum sales status for more than 2 million sold and other Stott titles have been awarded with ECPA Gold Medallion Awards (Between Two Worlds in 1983 and The Cross of Christ in 1988). The Association presented Stott with an International Award in 1992 for his tireless efforts to encourage thoughtful biblical exposition and preaching throughout the world. Langham Literature, a division of Langham Partnership — a UK-based ministry Stott founded 40 years ago as The Evangelical Trust to equip Christian leaders around the world – continues to be an ECPA International member.
Husband and wife publishing legends, Gary Johnson (former President, Bethany House Publishers) and Carol Johnson (former VP/Editorial of Fiction, Bethany House Publishers), accepted their award at the industry awards gala in the company of nearly 150 Christian publishers, executives and colleagues. The Jordon award recognizes their enduring legacy of thousands of books — from Leonard Ravenhill’s Why Revival Tarries and Larry Christenson’s The Christian Family to the pioneering and visionary introduction of Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly and Beverly Lewis’ The Shunning. “The Johnson’s prescient vision for Christian fiction and their industry leadership have provided a driving force in the rise of the Christian fiction category to its current prominence,” stated ECPA President/CEO Mark Kuyper when presenting the award. “Their commitment to excellence has been appreciated by readers and recognized through numerous industry awards, including ECPA’s Christian Book Awards, Gold Medallion Awards, and Gold and Platinum Awards.”
The prestigious Jordon Lifetime Achievement Award is presented by ECPA to an individual/s for their exceptional contributions to the Christian publishing industry and is named in honor of Charles "Kip” Jordon (1945-1997), beloved Christian publishing veteran of more than 25 years, and former publisher of Word Publishing.
Former recipients of the award are:
2011 – David Koechel
2010 – Charles Colson
2008 – Dr. John M. Perkins
2007 – Dr. R.C. Sproul
2006 – Robert K. DeVries
2005 – Barbara Johnson
2004 – Dr. Lloyd J. Ogilvie
2003 – Joni Eareckson Tada
2002 – Dr. Warren Wiersbe
2001 – E. Brandt Gustavson and Dr. William R. "Bill” Bright
2000 – Jarrell McCracken
1999 – Hugh Barbour
1998 – Sam Moore
1997 – Charles R. Swindoll
1996 – J.I. Packer and Leonard LeSourd
1995 – William T. Greig, II
1994 – Ernest E. Owen
1993 – Robert H. Hawkins
1992 – Mrs. Clyde H. (Muriel) Dennis
1991 – Dr. James C. Dobson
1990 – Billy Graham
1989 – Robert L. Kregel
1988 – Floyd Thatcher
1987 – Russell T. Hitt
1986 – Herman Baker, John T. Bass, and Richard C. Halverson
1985 – Peter Kladder Jr., Robert L. Mosier, and Cyrus N. Nelson
1984 – Carl F.H. Henry and Kenneth N. Taylor
1981 – Pat J. Zondervan
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The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization, comprised of nearly 150 member companies worldwide, representing a combined revenue of $1.4 billion. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building Networking, Information, and Advocacy opportunities within the industry and across multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content.
For more information about ECPA: 480-966-3998 | info@ecpa.org | www.ecpa.org