Media Innovation Competition Award Recipients
The 2026 Media Innovation Competition celebrates the creativity, storytelling, and communication excellence happening across Citygate Network ministries. From print pieces and photography to video, social media, and digital experiences, these entries reflect the powerful ways ministries are sharing stories of hope, transformation, and life change.
More than great design or strategy, this competition highlights the impact of authentic storytelling in advancing mission and ministry. Each submission represents a commitment to communicating with clarity, compassion, innovation, and excellence—capturing moments that inspire action, build connection, and point people toward lasting transformation.
Join us in recognizing the communicators, creatives, storytellers, and ministry teams who continue to raise the standard and use media as a powerful tool for Kingdom impact.
ANNUAL REPORT
Budget category: Up to $4 million
Award of Excellence: IMPACT: 2025
Victory Mission + Ministry | Springfield, Missouri
Vendor/Designer: Silas Garrison
Judge’s Comments:Excellent use of white space, typography, and photography to support the storytelling and reinforce program impact. Strong integration of stats, visuals, and interactive elements like QR codes to testimony videos. The inclusion of prayer requests adds a meaningful call to action and deepens audience connection. Consistent branding throughout creates a polished and cohesive presentation.
Award of Merit: Annual Report 2025
Tree of Life Ministries | Purcellville, Virginia
Vendor/Designer: Jennifer Del Grande
ANNUAL REPORT
Budget category: Between $4 million – $10 million
Award of Excellence: 2024 Impact Report
Pathway Ministries | Peoria, Illinois
Vendor/Designer: Pathway Ministries
Judge’s Comments: The cover photo immediately grabs attention, and the overall design is bold, creative, and visually compelling. Beautiful vintage photography, strong layout choices, and fantastic use of graphics help communicate information in engaging and memorable ways. Excellent presentation of impact throughout, including meaningful statistics and spiritual impact metrics like salvations.
Award of Merit: 2024 Annual Impact Report
Scott Mission | Toronto, Ontario
Vendor/Designer: Shirley Riordon
ANNUAL REPORT
Budget category: More than $10 million
Award of Excellence: 2025 Annual Report – The Future is Human
Atlanta Mission | Atlanta, Georgia
Vendor/Designer: Rebecca Valerio
Judge’s Comments: One of the most innovative annual reports we’ve seen. Incredible branding, powerful storytelling, and excellent typography throughout. The language helps humanize those experiencing homelessness while clearly communicating impact through stats and illustrations. We especially appreciated the strategic plan updates, which create a strong sense of vision and forward momentum. Amazing work overall.
Award of Merit: 2025 Annual Report
Union Gospel Mission of the Inland Northwest | Spokane, Washington
Vendor/Designer: UGM Marketing Department
GENERAL BROCHURE
Budget category: Up to $4 million
Award of Excellence: General Brochure
Fellowship Missions | Warsaw, Indiana
Vendor/Designer: 1Eighty Digital
Judge’s Comments: Very creative brochure. Informative, visually engaging, and easy to navigate. Strong font choices, photography, and a unique layout help break up information so it never feels overwhelming, while still delivering meaningful content that keeps you wanting to flip through.
Award of Merit: General Brochure
Bread of Life Mission | Seattle, Washington
Vendor/Designer: Bread of Life Mission
Honorable Mention: Rights of Passage Handout
Compassionate Justice | Cincinnati, Ohio
Vendor/Designer: Stiggers Virtual Assisting Services
GENERAL BROCHURE
Budget category: Between $4 million – $10 million
Award of Excellence: Master Plan Campaign
The Foundry Ministries | Bessemer, Alabama
Vendor/Designer: Hunter Davis
Judge’s Comments: Compelling from the start. The opening pages immediately draw the reader in and create a strong emotional connection. Fantastic typography and excellent variety in content keep the piece engaging throughout. We especially appreciated the thoughtful integration of testimonies into the design, which adds authenticity, depth, and a powerful human element to the call to get involved.
Award of Merit: General Brochure
Pathway Ministries | Peoria, Illinois
Vendor/Designer: Pathway Ministries
GENERAL BROCHURE
Budget category: More than $10 million
Award of Excellence: General Brochure
Light of Life Rescue Mission | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Vendor/Designer: Light of Life Rescue Mission | Annie Cairns, Nikki Petitjean, & Jocelyn Buhite
Judge’s Comments: Loved the creative door unfold concept – using the organization’s front door as the entry into the brochure was incredibly thoughtful and memorable. Strong visuals immediately caught the eye and carried the content well throughout. The piece was engaging, visually cohesive, and included a clear and effective call to action.
Award of Merit: The First 48 Hours
Atlanta Mission | Atlanta, Georgia
Vendor/Designer: Rebecca Valerio
NEWSLETTER
Budget category: Up to $4 million
Award of Excellence: Your Mission Messenger, Christmas 2025
Kokomo Rescue Mission | Kokomo, Indiana
Vendor/Designer: Kasey Woolslare
Judge’s Comments: The cover photo is eye-catching and inviting, while the focus on move-out days highlights a meaningful and hopeful milestone worth celebrating. Great use of watercolor elements, photography, storytelling, and calls to action. The piece feels warm, engaging, and full of life and momentum.
Award of Merit: The Sound of Hope, Fall 2025
Bread of Life Mission | Seattle, Washington
Vendor/Designer: BDI
NEWSLETTER
Budget category: Between $4 million – $10 million
Award of Excellence: Mission Newsletter, November 2025
Modesto Gospel Mission | Modesto, California
Vendor/Designer: Tom Matthew
Judge’s Comments: Strong testimony and informative content throughout, with a clear and engaging flow. The size and paper choice gave the piece a unique, high-quality feel that stood out from a traditional newsletter format. The cover photo created an excellent first impression and immediately drew the reader into the story.
Award of Merit: The Miracle on Spadina, Camp Newsletter 2025
Scott Mission | Toronto, Ontario
Vendor/Designer: BDI
NEWSLETTER
Budget category: More than $10 million
Award of Excellence: Living by the Light, Fall 2025
Light of Life Rescue Mission | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Vendor/Designer: Light of Life Rescue Mission | Annie Cairns, Nikki Petitjean, & Jocelyn Buhite
Judge’s Comments: The content was interesting and compelling, supported by strong typography, thoughtful illustrations, and a natural section flow that made it easy to follow. Great inclusion of statistics throughout helped reinforce impact without overwhelming the reader. Excellent use of white space, color blocks, and consistent branding created a clean, visually engaging piece.
Award of Merit: The Coin Flip, October 2025
Denver Rescue Mission | Denver, Colorado
Vendor/Designer: DRM Internal Marketing & Communications Team – Alex Carullo
PHOTOGRAPHY
Budget category: Up to $4 million
Award of Excellence: “Hope-filled”
Lexington Rescue Mission | Lexington, Kentucky
Photographer: Greg Schneider
Judge’s Comments: You can see the hope in their eyes. The strong focus on the subjects immediately creates emotional connection, while the softer background provides context without distracting from the people at the center of the image. The composition thoughtfully balances storytelling and environment, resulting in a powerful and compelling photograph.
Award of Merit: “Former Guest and Current Staff Member at WG 25th Anniversary Celebration”
Watered Gardens Ministries | Joplin, Missouri
Photographer: RJ Harbison
PHOTOGRAPHY
Budget category: Between $4 – $10 million
Award of Excellence: “Weathered, Not Broken”
Market Street Mission | Morristown, New Jersey
Photographer: Chris Kendig
Judge’s Comments: This photograph is exceptional. Excellent composition, lighting, and use of grain and focus create a striking and emotionally rich image. His expression tells a story of hardship yet remains deeply hope-filled. A powerful and moving photograph that lingers with the viewer.
Award of Merit: “Exultant Baptism”
The Foundry Ministries | Bessemer, Alabama
Photographer: Jacky Gann
PHOTOGRAPHY
Budget category: More than $10 million
Award of Excellence: “God is Doing a New Thing – Solomon”
Springs Rescue Mission | Colorado Springs, Colorado
Photographer: Kris Cheng
Judge’s Comments: What a beautiful photograph. The lighting is exceptional — his face is illuminated in a way that radiates hope, safety, and joy. The balance of light and depth creates a powerful emotional atmosphere, drawing the viewer into the moment and allowing the emotion to shine through naturally.
Award of Merit: “LIFTED”
Wheeler Mission | Indianapolis, Indiana
Photographer: Kimberly Pochop
SHORT VIDEO
Budget category: Up to $4 million
Award of Excellence: “Path Off the Streets: Step into Sam’s Story”
The Eugene Mission | Eugene, Oregon
Vendor/Producer/Director: AHM Brands, Kelly Rush
Judge’s Comments: This video accomplishes a tremendous amount in just 60 seconds. Strong storytelling, excellent footage, and a warm, inviting tone immediately draw the viewer in. The piece is engaging, well-paced, and communicates both mission and impact with clarity and heart.
Award of Merit: “The Death Toll”
Victory Mission + Ministry | Springfield, Missouri
Vendor/Producer/Director: Silas Garrison
SHORT VIDEO
Budget category: Between $4 million – $10 million
Award of Excellence: “Princesses’ Crowning Moment”
City Gospel Mission | Cincinnati, Ohio
Vendor/Producer/Director: Drive Media House
Judge’s Comments: This is a wonderful program, and the invitation for the community to get involved and provide support is unique. The video has great movement throughout. Strong storytelling and pacing make the message both compelling and memorable, while clearly communicating impact and purpose.
SHORT VIDEO
Budget category: More than $10 million
Award of Excellence: “Interrupt Homelessness”
Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities | St. Paul, Minnesota
Vendor/Producer/Director: BDI
Judge’s Comments: Wow — what an impactful piece. The visuals were immediately eye-catching and felt raw, authentic, and emotionally powerful. The storytelling was moving and challenging in all the right ways, drawing the viewer into the reality of the issue. A deeply compelling piece that leaves a lasting impression long after it ends.
EXTENDED VIDEO
Budget category: Up to $4 million
Award of Excellence: “A Place for Her”
Star Gospel Mission | Charleston, South Carolina
Vendor/Producer/Director: Cleartide Media – Appolos Laurient
Judge’s Comments: This video was incredibly moving. It brought the realities many people experiencing homelessness face into view in a raw, honest, and deeply human way. The storytelling pulls at your heartstrings while also reminding viewers that hardship is not the end of the story. A powerful message of hope, help, and healing.
EXTENDED VIDEO
Budget category: Between $4 million – $10 million
Award of Excellence: “It Starts with a Seed”
Christian Recovery Centers | Shallotte, North Carolina
Vendor/Producer/Director: Red Bug Reels – Chris Allred
Judge’s Comments: The imagery of the seed was incredibly effective and created a strong foundation for the story. The metaphor carried beautifully throughout the piece. Excellent storytelling, footage, and testimonies made the video deeply moving while celebrating the work God has done through the ministry and the lives being changed. The lighting and landscape visuals further strengthened the hopeful tone and emotional impact.
EXTENDED VIDEO
Budget category: More than $10 million
Award of Excellence: “Legacy Video 2025”
The Lovelady Center | Birmingham, Alabama
Vendor/Producer/Director: Steak & Eggs Media – Chandler Wallace
Judge’s Comments: This is an exceptional piece about the impact of faithfulness and obedience. The legacy and story could not have been communicated more effectively. The testimonies, footage, storytelling, and historical context worked together beautifully to create an engaging and meaningful experience. It was so compelling and well done that I could have watched even longer.
WEBSITE
Budget category: Up to $4 million
Butte Rescue Mission | Butte, Montana
Vendor/Designer: Zealot Branding
Judge’s Comments: Strong, on-brand website with clear sections and easy navigation throughout. The emphasis on gratitude and community support was especially impactful — it clearly communicates that this work is a collective effort. Excellent use of impact statistics and simple, accessible ways for visitors to get involved and support the mission.
Outreach Inc. | Indianapolis, Indiana
Vendor/Designer: Hello this is Jeff
WEBSITE
Budget category: Between $4 million – $10 million
Fresno Mission | Fresno, California
Vendor/Designer: Cameron Martinez
Judge’s Comments: What a great website! Excellent use of impact stats, stories, photography, and design elements throughout. The soft edges on photos and color blocks create a warm and inviting feel, while features like the flip cards add engagement and creativity. Easy navigation and strong visual storytelling make the site both effective and enjoyable to explore.
Portland Rescue Mission | Portland, Oregon
Vendor/Designer: Brendon Connett, Shauna Stephenson, and The Nine
WEBSITE
Budget category: More than $10 million
Orange County Rescue Mission | Tustin, California
Vendor/Designer: Epic Agency
Judge’s Comments: Great use of color throughout — vibrant, energetic, and completely on brand. The interactive elements and movement between sections keep the experience engaging and make you want to continue exploring. Excellent use of photography and color overlays creates a cohesive visual identity that fits the organization exceptionally well. The site is easy to navigate and makes getting involved feel accessible and inviting.
Springs Rescue Mission | Colorado Springs, Colorado
Vendor/Designer: Springs Rescue Mission
SOCIAL MEDIA
Budget category: Up to $4 million
Award of Excellence: @shelterkc
www.facebook.com/shelterkc | www.instagram.com/shelterkc/
Shelter KC | Kansas City, Missouri
Social Media Manager: Andi Ehrhardt
Judge’s Comments: Strong, on-brand socials with great content. The thoughtful use of fonts, shapes, color, and layered design elements alongside photography creates a more engaging experience than relying on photos alone. The visual variety keeps the feed dynamic, cohesive, and enjoyable to explore.
Award of Merit: @NewLifeMissionBrevard
www.facebook.com/NewLifeMissionBrevard | www.instagram.com/newlife_mission/
New Life Mission | Melbourne, Florida
Social Media Manager: Charlotte Carrol
SOCIAL MEDIA
Budget category: Between $4 – $10 million
Award of Excellence: @MissionGrounds
www.facebook.com/MissionGroundsEVV | www.instagram.com/missiongrounds
Evansville Rescue Mission | Evansville, Indiana
Social Media Managers: Madison Dunlap
Judge’s Comments: Fantastic photography throughout — the visuals make you want to visit and experience the space firsthand. Their social media does an excellent job connecting the coffee experience to the mission. Visually engaging, inviting, and filled with high-quality photography that beautifully reinforces the brand and atmosphere.
Award of Merit: @fargonlc
www.facebook.com/FargoNLC | www.instagram.com/fargonlc
New Life Center | Fargo, North Dakota
Social Media Managers: Andrea Feigum & Lauren Torkelson
SOCIAL MEDIA
Budget category: More than $10 million
Award of Excellence: @lightoflife
www.facebook.com/lightoflifemission | https://www.instagram.com/lightoflife | https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightoflife/
Light of Life Rescue Mission | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Social Media Manager: Annie Cairns | Jocelyn Buhite
Judge’s Comments: Excellent variety of content throughout — from video and behind-the-scenes moments to testimonies, impact statistics, and clear ways to get involved. The presence of the president and leadership in the content adds authenticity and connection, while the storytelling keeps everything engaging, personal, and mission-focused.
Award of Merit: @wheelermission
www.facebook.com/wheelermission | https://www.instagram.com/wheelermission
Wheeler Mission | Indianapolis, Indiana
Social Media Manager: Kimberly Pochop
PODCAST
All budget categories
Award of Excellence: “the way home”
https://www.youtube.com/@rockfordrescuemission/podcasts
Rockford Rescue Mission | Rockford, Illinois
Hosts: Jim Killam | Nathan Haglund
Judge’s Comments: This is everything you hope for in a podcast. The interactive set, quality sound, and natural conversation between the hosts create an engaging and professional experience. Excellent editing keeps the content moving well, and the teaser at the beginning is a strong hook that immediately draws listeners in. The branding, intro, and overall execution are polished, cohesive, and extremely well done.
Award of Merit: “Unseen Atlanta”
https://www.youtube.com/@atlantamission/podcasts
Atlanta Mission | Atlanta, Georgia
Hosts: Rachel Reynolds | Jonathan Miller