Below are the Illumination Book Awards results for the 2024 Illumination Awards, listed by category, followed by the Enduring Light medals, which reward exemplary Christian-themed books published since the year 2000. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each category. Click on titles if you are interested in purchasing one of these award-winning books.
Congratulations to all of the winners!
GENERAL CATEGORIES:
1. Bible Study | 2. Christian Living | 3. Devotional | 4. Theology | 5. Ministry/Mission | 6. Catholic | 7. Family/Parenting | 8. Education | 9. Spirituality | 10. Illness/Death/Dying | 11. Self-Help | 12. Biography/Memoir- Inspiration | 13. Biography/Memoir- Personal Struggle | 14. Holiday | 15. Children’s Picture Book | 16. Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction | 17. General Fiction | 18. Romance Fiction | 19. Mystery/Thriller | 20. Keepsake/Gift/Specialty Bible | 21. Poetry | 22. Digital Media (eBook, Audiobook)
ENDURING LIGHT CATEGORIES:
L1. Christian Thought | L2. Devotional | L3. Inspirational | L4. Christian Fiction | L5. Christian Children’s Book
GENERAL CATEGORIES
1. Bible Study
GOLD
God’s Word: A Guide to Holy Scripture
by John W. Kleinig
(Lexham Press)
Silver
King Solomon’s Empire: The Rise, Fall and Modern-Day Influence of an Iron Age Ruler
by Archie W N Roy PhD and Margaret P Roy
(Ambassador International)
Bronze
The Road Back Home: The Epic Revelation of God’s Heart
by Joseph & Karyn Cavon
(Resource Publications)
2. Christian Living
GOLD
Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy
by Froswa’ Booker-Drew
(Baylor University Press)
Silver
We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth
by Britt Mooney
(Bold Vision Books)
Bronze
Biblical Keys to Life: The Questions We Have and the Answers We Need
by Latina Nichole Smith
(Luvheir Publishing)
3. Devotional
GOLD (tie)
Jesus for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance
by Mark Lanier
(Baylor University Press)
GOLD (tie)
Psalms Journal: A 21-Day Devotional Journal
by Henry Miersma
(Mill Street Press)
Silver
Finding God Abiding: Daily Meditations
by Christine Marie Eberle
(Woodhall Press)
Bronze
Delight Drizzled Days: Sweet Devotions for Abundant Living
by Lisa Wilt
(Lisa Wilt Ministries)
4. Theology
GOLD
The Nicene Creed
by Phillip Cary
(Lexham Press)
Silver
My Body, Their Baby: A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy
by Grace Y. Kao
(Stanford University Press)
Bronze
Bible-Smart: Matthew
by Mike Nappa
(Rose Publishing)
5. Ministry/Mission
GOLD
Still Here and Still Struggling to Serve
by Gena B. McCown
(End Game Press)
Silver
Strong Together: Building Partnerships across Cultures in an Age of Distrust
by Andrea Nelson Trice, PhD
(Global Resilience Publishing)
Bronze
A Holy Haunting
by Sam D. Kim
(Morgan James Publishing)
6. Catholic
GOLD
Dear Saints: Catechesis on Saints
by Jacob Huether
(Self-Published)
Silver
The King of Easter: Jesus Searches for All God's Children
by Todd R. Hains, illustrated by Natasha Kennedy
(Lexham Press)
Bronze
A Blessed Gift: A Bilingual Anthology of Faith Stories Volume 2
edited by Julia Wong Soo Mei
(Carlo Catholic Services Limited)
7. Family/Parenting
GOLD
The Unopened Present
by Richard V. Battle
(Headline Books)
Silver
Love Well My Precious One
by Jill Roman Lord
(End Game Press)
Bronze
Love Connects Us All
by Michelle Medlock Adams, illustrated by Sandra Eide
(End Game Press)
8. Education
GOLD
Scribblers at Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learners
by Lisa Bailey, Jennifer Courtney, Leigh Bortins, and Amy Jones
(Classical Conversations MultiMedia)
Silver
The Crucifixion in Painting: From the Middle Ages to Post-Modernism
by Mikhail Sergeev
(M-Graphics Publishing)
Bronze
Welcome to BibleWorld
by Mike Nappa, illustrated by Emilano Migliardo
(The Good Book Company)
9. Spirituality
GOLD
Miracle on the Camino
by Kelle Ortiz
(Apollon Enterprises)
Silver
Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio
by Susan De Bartoli
(Ave Maria Press)
Bronze
One with God: Finding Your Identity, Purpose, and Destiny in the God Who Speaks
by Pierce Taylor Hibbs
(Self-Published)
10. Illness/Death/Dying
GOLD
A Quiet Mind to Suffer With: Mental Illness, Trauma, and the Death of Christ
by John Andrew Bryant
(Lexham Press)
Silver
Uncrushed
by Beth Marshall
(End Game Press)
Bronze
Reflections of Hope
by Laura Diehl
(Crown of Glory Publishing)
11. Self-Help
GOLD
Face-Lift: Embracing Hope Through Your Heartaches
by Holly Curby
(Koehler Books)
Silver
The Bellowing of Cain: HOPE for Those Who’ve Blown It
by Jeremy Gordon Grinnell
(St. Asinus Publishing)
Bronze
The Power of Gratitude: Charting a Path Toward a Joyous and Faith-Filled Life
by Patrick M. Garry
(Resource Publications)
12. Biography/Memoir - Inspiration
GOLD
More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew
by John Blake
(Convergent Books)
Silver (tie)
Bub: Essays from Just North of Nashville
by Drew Bratcher
(University of Iowa Press)
Silver (tie)
Do These Sweatpants Make Me Look Single?
by Jen Carlson
(Illumify Media Global)
Bronze
God Had a Hand on Me: A Memoir About Pain, Healing, and Victory
by Kim Dotson
(Redemption Press Express)
13. Biography/Memoir - Personal Struggle
GOLD
Shimmering Around the Edges: A Memoir of OCD, Reality, and Finding God in Uncertainty
by Kathrine Snyder
(Self-Published)
Silver
A Necessary Lie: Escape for Freedom and Love
by Doohyun Kim & Jiyeon Maeng with Heidi Tucker
(Redstone Media)
Bronze
Mission Vigilant: A Mother’s Crusade to Stem the Tide of Veteran Suicide
by Susan Cleland with Sherye S. Green
(Valor Publishers)
14. Holiday
GOLD
Marzipan’s First Christmas
by Jordan Taylor Nilan, illustrated by Jess Bircham
(Self-Published)
Silver
Raven’s Gift: A Feathered Flight of Faith
by Claire Annette Noland, illustrated by Desirée Cordón
(Little Press Publishing)
Bronze
Dog at the Tinsel Tree: Susie’s Story
by Denise Lee Branco
(Strolling Hills Publishing)
15. Children’s Picture Book
GOLD (tie)
When I Go to Church, I Belong
by Elrena Evans, illustrated by Rebecca Evans
(InterVarsity Press)
GOLD (tie)
God, Right Here
by Kara Lawler, illustrated by Jennie Poh
(InterVarsity Press)
Silver
Noah’s Joyful Ark
by Jill Roman Lord
(B & H Kids)
Bronze
The Anxious Lily
by Mary Holloman, illustrated by Amanda Gulliver
(End Game Press)
16. Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction
GOLD
Offsides
by Lori Z. Scott
(End Game Press)
Silver
Murder at Penwood Manor
by Anthony Barone Kolenc
(Loyola Press)
Bronze
The Forest Keeper: A Spiritual Journey
by Mike and Carol Wyrick; illustrated by David Miles
(Characters of Faith, LLC)
17. General Fiction
GOLD
Fire and Faith
by Kristin Jack
(Self-Published)
Silver
I, Julian
by Claire Gilbert
(Hodder & Stoughton)
Bronze
Keepsakes
by Jan Hemby
(Blue Ink Press)
18. Romance Fiction
Category Cancelled
19. Mystery/Thriller
GOLD (tie)
Road to Nineveh
by Charles Besondy
(Besondy Publishing LLC)
GOLD (tie)
The Quickening: Overcomers Book 1
by Sarah L. Frantz
(Sursum Corda Press)
Silver
The Wrath Walker
by Matthew Newson
(Self-Published)
Bronze
Sweet Aroma
by Bobbie Frazier
(Tom’s Vision Publishing)
20. Keepsake/Gift/Specialty Bible
GOLD
The Christmas Devotional: Hope & Humor for the Holidays
by Michelle Medlock Adams and Andy Clapp
(End Game Press)
Silver
The Story of Good
by Victoria Duerstock
(End Game Press)
Bronze
Bible Album: Art Book - New Heart English Bible Edition
by Esdras Etrenne
(Esdras Pierre Etrenne)
21. Poetry
GOLD
Butterfly Nebula
by Laura Reece Hogan
(The Backwaters Press)
Silver
Wonder-Work: Selected Sonnets of Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg
translated by Joanne Epp, Sally Ito, and Sarah Klassen
(CMU Press)
Bronze
This Transfigured Chapel of the Threads
by Sarah Law
(Resource Publications)
22. Digital Media (eBook, Audiobook)
GOLD
Highway To Healing
by Shae Pratcher
(Limitless Light Productions Studios LLC)
Silver
From Trophy Wife to Cosmetic Surgeon
by Victoria Johnson
(Yorkshire Publishing)
Bronze
The MENtal Fight Of Your Life
by Freddie Floyd Jr.
(Covenant Books, Inc.)
ENDURING LIGHT CATEGORIES
Most book awards focus on recent releases, but the Enduring Light medals honor outstanding Christian-themed books published since 2000. Entry fees and judging requirements match regular categories, and both older and current titles are eligible.
L1. Christian Thought
GOLD
Divine Detour: The Path You'd Never Choose Can Lead to the Faith You've Always Wanted
by Lori Ann Wood
(CrossRiver Media)
Silver
Heaven’s Doors: Wider Than You Ever Believed!
by George W. Sarris
(GWSPublishing Grace Will Succeed)
Bronze
Jar of Tears: Moms aren't supposed to die
by Kathleen Templeton
(Lemons & Sunshine Press)
L2. Devotional
GOLD
The Journey from Heartache to Hope: 40 Devotionals to Help You on Your Way
by Alane Pearce and Laura Savage-Rains
(Three Circle Press)
Silver
Amazing Appellations: Discovering the Names of Jesus
by Kristina Howard-Booth
(Self-Published)
Bronze
Meet Me Where I Am Lord - 90 Days to Know Him Deeper
by Cindy K. Sproles
(Iron Stream)
L3. Inspirational
GOLD
Return to Dresden
by Maria Ritter
(University Press of Mississippi)
Silver
Faith Over Fear
by Mandy Schaniel
(Brown Books)
Bronze
Hard Way Home: A Woman’s Inspiring Battle with Cancer and the Lives She Touched
by Amy and Mike Nappa
(Harvest House Publishers)
L4. Christian Fiction
GOLD
Annabel Lee: A Novel of Suspense
by Mike Nappa
(Revell)
Silver
It is Well
by Leta Buhrmann
(Silver Cat Press)
Bronze
A Battle Worth Fighting
by Sarah Hanks
(SonFlower Books)
L5. Christian Children’s Book
GOLD
Beneath the Hood: A Retelling Woven with Biblical Truth
by Valerie Fentress
(Self-Published)
Silver
Our God is Bigger Than That!
by Michelle Medlock Adams & Eva Marie Everson
(End Game Press)
Bronze
Oak Street Treehouse: The Day They Had a Party
by Dick Daniels, illustrated by Mollie Bozarth
(LDG.org)
