Ceremoniously at the Museum of the Bible on Saturday, three prominent Christian leaders received the second annual Pillar Awards for their outstanding contributions to sharing the Bible’s message with millions of people.
The event, part of the museum’s 2023 Gala & Experience titled “The Story,” celebrated individuals who have significantly impacted the Christian faith through their talents, ideas, and platforms.
Christian songwriter Matthew West, in a video message, emphasized the Bible as “the greatest story of all time,” setting the tone for the evening. Hosted by Dave Stotts, creator of the educational video series “Drive Through History,” the Pillar Awards were named after the museum’s foundational pillars: history, narrative, and impact.
Abby Robertson of The Christian Broadcasting Network presented the awards, describing the recipients as “three of the most influential Christian leaders in the country.” The ceremony included interviews with awardees, a performance by Christian musician CeCe Wynans, and reflections from Christian songwriter Matthew West.
Lee Strobel, former journalist and author of “The Case for Christ,” received the Pillar Award for history. Strobel’s journey involved initially seeking to disprove the existence of Jesus but ultimately converting to Christianity due to overwhelming evidence. Reflecting on his transformation, Strobel shared, “God changed my values, my character, my morality, my worldview, my philosophy, my attitudes, my marriage, my parenting, my relationships. I give Him all the glory.”
Pastor Greg Laurie was honored with the Pillar Award for narrative. Laurie, leader of Harvest Christian Fellowship, shared his conversion story, which became the basis for the film “Jesus Revolution.” Laurie highlighted the importance of reaching people through unconventional means, stating, “Jesus did not say the whole world should go to church, but He did say the church should go to the whole world.”
“Jesus did not say the whole world should go to church, but He did say the church should go to the whole world, so we’re always looking for creative ways to get to people,” he added. “A lot of times as Christians, we want to isolate from culture, but in reality, we need to… pic.twitter.com/Cb2RmAm0Dp
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) November 12, 2023
Kay Arthur received the Pillar Award for impact, recognizing her lifetime dedication to sharing the Bible’s message. A Bible teacher and author of over 100 books, Arthur, celebrating her 90th birthday at the ceremony, emphasized the transformative power of the Word of God. She shared her personal journey, from a life without a meaningful relationship with God to dedicating her life to sharing His Word through Precept Ministries, impacting 190 out of 206 countries.
In an emotional moment, Arthur expressed her gratitude, stating, “I feel totally inadequate, but I will tell you one thing: There’s one thing that’s my life, and that’s the Word of God.” Attendees sang “Happy Birthday” to Arthur during the preceding dinner, marking the occasion of her 90th birthday.
The Pillar Awards, with their focus on history, narrative, and impact, aim to honor those who leverage these pillars to engage people with the transformative power of the Bible.
This year’s recipients, Strobel, Laurie, and Arthur, have not only shaped the Christian faith stories of millions but continue to inspire through their dedication to sharing the timeless message of the Bible with the world.
