First place for poetry and interview

Every year, Christian Courier competes against other Christian publications and organizations for awards in writing, graphics, design and marketing from the Canadian Christian Communicators Association (CCCA). This year, CC received recognition in 13 categories.

CC won first place in the interview category thanks to Board Chair James Dekker. His conversation with CNN Senior Producer Ryan Struyk, “Trump, Putin . . . and Abraham Kuyper,” gave readers an inside scoop on the challenges journalists face while covering today’s big headlines.

“I was thoroughly surprised and honoured by the award,” remarks Dekker. The recognition sweetens an already remarkable full-circle moment for him. When Dekker was President of the Christian Reformed Church Synod in 2011, Struyk interviewed him for a Banner article. In 2024, the tables were turned. When Struyk’s team won an Emmy for their coverage of the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, Dekker worked his connections to get an exclusive interview.

“We had to jump through hoops for CNN’s permission and approval of the final draft,” recalls Dekker, “but it was kind of heart-warming to hear about the respect Ryan has found at CNN both as a producer and Christian.”

Poetry and news

CC’s other first-place win went to Art and Development Manager Maaike VanderMeer for her poem “Three hundred years after a forest burns.” This was CC’s second time taking the top prize for poetry since the category was established in 2022; once again, a welcome affirmation of CC’s decades-long commitment to publishing poetry alongside journalism.

“[CC has] a unique relationship between art and news – it’s what’s so special about this publication,” remarks VanderMeer. In 2024, CC published poems by Dora Dueck, Calvin VanErgens, Laurie Klein, Stephen Berg, Herman de Jong and many other contemporary Christian poets.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the poem, VanderMeer says, “I saw bear cubs eating blueberries on Mt. Seymour, near Vancouver, and a week later entered a nature centre near Lynn Canyon where I learned that it takes a forest 300 years to grow back fully from a fire, but it only takes bears six days to wander back in.” The poem was published in CC’s December 2024 issue, which had the theme “Magnificat.”

“I wanted the ‘feast’ language of Mary’s Magnificat to centre this poem as the embodiment of restorative justice,” explains VanderMeer. “It’s hard writing poetry to a specific theme, and I had lots of help! My writing group workshopped this poem with me twice, and then Cathy Smith [former CC Features Editor] tweaked the lines and words with me until each one was just right for CC. Sara de Waal, an author and artist from Abbotsford, shared her beautiful haiku art. This win belongs to all of them, as well – and to our readers, who value poetry and have kept it in our pages for decades!”

Other awards for writing

In the two editorial categories, Angela Reitsma Bick received second place for her powerful argument in “The slow collapse of the Old Boys’ Club” and for her introduction to the November 2024 issue, “Peace Talks.”

For service journalism, husband and wife team Jessica Lum and Christopher Truscott, who wrote “Church in a time of neurodivergence,” received second place. As did Victoria Brayshaw-Driessen in the biographical profile category for her story on the life and career of John Olthuis, “A high honour, a just mission.”

Melissa Kuipers’ review of The Woman They Wanted by Shannon Harris and Rift by Cait West received second place in the media review category. Upon receiving the award, Kuipers commented, “I am so grateful for the voices of these two authors who are willing to bravely tell their stories of the harms of Christian patriarchy, and how they found freedom from it.”

An opinion piece by columnist Michael DeMoor called “Punching Mr. Rogers in the face” received second place for best headline.

For graphics and design

Karen Tamminga-Paton’s multimedia installation “PeaceTalks,” depicting a table set for tea in the midst of Palestinian rubble, won second place in the original artwork category. CC’s website and email newsletter each won third place in their respective categories. Finally, CC’s year-end fundraising campaign, “Evergreen,” which raised $54,000 (more than doubling our goal!) received an honourable mention for marketing.

Thanks to you, our readers, for faithfully supporting our work and making these wins possible. They belong to all of you!