Influence magazine received eight awards, including the prestigious Award of Excellence, during the recent Evangelical Press Association (EPA) convention in Lexington, Kentucky.

The EPA awards, announced annually in April, honor the best in Christian publishing from the previous calendar year.

Influence received the Award of Excellence, the highest honor given to a publication, in the category of Christian Ministry. This award is based on overall publication quality, including writing, content, imagery and design. It is the third time in the past four years that Influence earned the Award of Excellence.

An EPA judge remarked that Influence is a “compelling magazine” with “exceptionally strong” writing and “cutting-edge subject matter, illustrations, and designs.”

“I am thankful to the writers, editorial
staff, and designers who issue after issue make the magazine award-worthy in the first place.”
— George P. Wood

Influence also received seven Higher Goals in Christian Journalism awards.

EPA’s Higher Goals competition honors individual, original aspects of a publication, such as writing, photography, or design.

Influence garnered Higher Goals awards in the categories of General Article: Long (“We Are Not Immune” by Matthew D. Kim); Biblical Exposition (“Leading With Joy” by Mike Burnette); First-Person Article (“The Church Has Left the Building” by Keisha B. Spivey); Standing Column (“Watch Your Mouth” by Shannon Polk and “The Artificially Intelligent Sermon” by Joy E.A. Qualls in Leadership | Ethics); Cover (Winter 2023); Original Art: Digital/Mixed Media; and Two-Page Spread Design.

“I am grateful to the Evangelical Press Association for recognizing the quality of Influence and awarding it the highest honor in the Christian ministry category,” says Influence magazine Executive Editor George P. Wood. “Mostly, I am thankful to the writers, editorial staff, and designers who issue after issue make the magazine award-worthy in the first place.”

The EPA describes itself as “one of the world’s leading professional associations for the evangelical periodical publishing industry.”

“EPA puts great focus on serving the kingdom of God through written, print, and digital communications,” the organization’s website says. “Our members are committed to excellence as they strive to cultivate a vibrant community that strengthens the publishing industry.”