One of the most popular TV specials ever produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) was recognized for excellence this weekend at the annual meeting of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) in Nashville, Tenn.
“A Tribute to Ruth Bell Graham,” a moving TV program celebrating the wife of one of 20th century’s most prominent evangelists, received the “Best Television Special Programming” award at a ceremony on Saturday evening.
“We are thrilled to receive this honor from the National Religious Broadcasters, but we give God all the glory for what was accomplished through this program,” said Ken Barun, senior vice president of communications at BGEA, who received the award on behalf of the ministry.
Barun continued, “Ruth Bell Graham was a fascinating woman whose love for God – and for her husband – was inspiring to us all. We hope this program will serve as an enduring monument to one of the greatest women of God the world has seen.”
The award from the NRB – one of the leading Christian media trade associations – recognizes “the highest standards of quality, creativity and innovative content” and “a compelling use of the medium from artistic and technical standpoints,” among other factors.
Boone, N.C.-based Samaritan’s Purse also received an award at the NRB meeting for “Best Television Commercial” for its piece, “Sudan: Samaritan’s Purse Was Listening.”
The spot, which discusses the ministry’s work of rebuilding churches and training pastors in Sudan, was produced in January 2008 and ran in the Charlotte, N.C., Raleigh, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga. markets.