Media Innovation Competition | February 16 – May 1, 2026
Each year, Citygate Network’s Media Innovation Competition celebrates how God is at work through member ministries—highlighting excellence in innovative print and digital media.
This annual competition celebrates the incredible ways God is at work across the Citygate Network—through powerful storytelling, creative excellence, and media that reflects lives being transformed. It shines a spotlight on some of the most compelling media produced by and for our member ministries, elevating stories of hope, dignity, and redemption.
This free benefit, available exclusively to Citygate Network mission/ministry members and business partners, opens February 16, 2026, and closes May 1, 2026.
Entries may be created in-house or by an outside agency and must highlight the work of a Citygate Network member ministry. Citygate Network business members are also eligible, recognizing the creative partnerships that support and strengthen our ministries.
For more information, please review the competition rules and judging criteria.
Ministry operating budget-size groups:
- Up to $4,000,000
- Between $4,000,000 – $10,000,000
- More than $10,000,000
Categories:
- Print Media: Annual Report | General Brochure | Newsletter | Photography
- Digital Media: Website | Short Video | Extended Video | Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) | Podcast
Recognition:
- NEW! 'Podcast' is a new category this year!
- NEW! Award winners will receive a 2026 Media Innovation Award Winner digital badge to proudly display on their website, email signature, annual report, and social media—showcasing excellence in storytelling and creative impact.
- Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit will be presented in each category and budget-size group.
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Within each budget group, the ministry receiving the highest total judging score will be awarded a complimentary registration to the 2027 Citygate Network Annual Conference & Exposition in Spokane, Washington.
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All winners will be spotlighted on the Citygate Network website, with their winning media featured as Media Samples in the Member Portal Resource Library.
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Winners will be recognized and receive their awards during a General Session at the All for Love Annual Conference & Exposition, held June 9–12, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Award of Excellence winners will be featured on Citygate Network’s Facebook and Instagram channels.
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Photography Award winners may be showcased on a future Instigate magazine cover (subject to theme alignment) and/or featured across Citygate Network’s print and digital communications, with full ministry credit.
Media that magnifies impact!
How to enter the Media Innovation Competition
Here's how to enter:
- Choose your categories. You may submit work in the categories: Newsletters | Brochures | Annual Reports | Photos | Short Videos | Extended Videos | Podcast
- Determine your budget category. This is not project/department budget, but total operating budget of your ministry. Please choose from one of the following: up to $4,000,000 | between $4,000,000 - $10,000,000 | more than $10,000,000
- Review competition rules and judging criteria.
- Complete the online entry form. Use the online entry form for ALL categories by entering titles and vendor information. For print media categories, you will mail in one copy of each entry; for all other categories, you will upload digital files or enter URLs.
- Confirm entry submission. You will receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting entries through the online entry form. If for some reason you do not receive a confirmation, please email Bethany Wininger at bwininger@citygatenetwork.org.
- Mail in your hard copies for judging. For print categories, please download, print, and mail in a hard copy of the mail-in entry form with your publications.
If you have questions, please email Bethany Wininger at bwininger@citygatenetwork.org..
Submit today!
Media Innovation Competition now open!
Questions? Contact Bethany Wininger, Director of Strategic Comunications, at bwininger@citygatenetwork.org or (719) 266-8300.