Welcome to The Original Christian Web and New Media Awards, an annual event that recognises and rewards the best in Christian websites and blogs in the UK.
The idyllic setting of St Stephen's Church, Walbrook provided the perfect backdrop for the Christian Blog awards on Friday. The Original Christian Web and New Media Awards reflect Premier Christian Radio's belief that excellent Christian web and new media in Britain should be recognised.
Premier's popular presenter, Maria Toth hosted the ceremony but a range of other Christian figures featured throughout the evening including the bishop of London and the bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The awards ranged from Best Christian Blog (won by Dave's District Blog) to Most Inspiring Leadership Blog (which was won by Bishop of Croydon, Nick Baines).
There were numerous high points to the evening, not least the excellent food and beautiful building. However, everyone at the ceremony seemed to agree that one of the most memorable moments in the evening was the award acceptance video created by the Benedictine nuns in view of their absence from the ceremony. The nuns won the People's Choice award for their inspiring contribution to Christian new media. The awards also recognised younger Christian bloggers with the Best Christian Blog for the under 25's award, which was won by Hugh Bourne and the Special Recognition award (for the youngest entrant) which was won by Anna Snape. Interestingly, the award for the Best Christian Organisation was won by divinematch.com, a UK based Christian singles website. It's a sure fire hit for all Christian singletons!
The prizes awarded for the different achievements of Christian Bloggers were also a talking point of the evening. Indeed, the winners of the Best Large Church website, Hope City Church won a ministry slot to be broadcast on Premier's National Radio and the Best Small Church website winners, Stevenson High Kirk won £1000. Other prizes included a home cinema system and Mac computers.
Other winners of ‘The Bloggies' awards include; The Church Mouse Blog, who won Best Newcomer Award; Worship Central, who won Best Christian Music Website; Passion Play, who won Best use of New Media for a Christian Campaign; Clayton.tv, who won Best use of New Media for a Christian Project and 24-7 shorts and Island Wall Entertainment who jointly won best use of Rich Media for Christians.
The range of award winners highlight the fantastic and varying support Christians can find using new media. The awards also provide much encouragement for everyone to put finger to keyboard and create some Christian new media to spread the Good News!
The evening was a truly wonderful celebration of the excellent bloggers and website designers who have helped to bring God's word to His people in the 21st century.
Best Christian Blog:
Winner — Dave's District Blog, www.davesdistrictblog.blogspot.com
Runner Up — Bible Study Exposition Online, www.bibleseo.com
Most Inspiring Leadership Blog:
Winner — Nick Baines's Blog, www.nickbaines.wordpress.com
Runner Up — The President and Vice President of the Methodist Conference, www.methodist-presandvp.blogspot.com
Best Christian Blog for under 25's:
Winner — The Rmablings of Hughbo, www.hughbourne.co.uk
Runner Up — Saved by Grace, Dan Blythe, www.danblythe.wordpress.com
Best Newcomer Blog:
Winner — The Church Mouse Blog, www.churchmousepublishing.blogspot.com
Runner Up — The Thoughts of a Thinker, Xander Coomber, www.xandercoomber.co.uk
Special Recognition (for the youngest entrant):
Winner — Faithful Catholic Girl, www.faithfulcatholicgirl.blogspot.com
Best Small Church Website:
Winner — Stevenston High Kirk, www.highkirk.com
Runner Up — Reading Family Church, www.readingfamilychurch.org.uk
Best Large Church Website:
Winner — Hope City Church, www.hopecitychurch.tv
Runner Up — Abundant Life Ministries, www.alm.org.uk
Best Christian Organization:
Winner — Divine Match - The UK Christian Singles Community, www.divinematch.co.uk
Runner Up — Christian Today, www.christiantoday.com
Best Christian Music Site:
Winner — Worship Central, www.worshipcentral.org
Runner Up — Musicademy, www.musicademy.com
People's Choice Award:
Winner — Holy Trinity Monastery, East Hendred - A monastery of Roman Catholic Benedictine nuns in the Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire, www.benedictinenuns.org.uk
Best use of New Media for a Christian project:
Winner — Clayton.tv, www.clayton.tv
Runner Up — New Frontiers Church Planting, www.ukchurchplanting.org
Best use of New Media for a Christian campaign:
Winner — Passion Play, www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqZjRh2cCnE
Runner Up — Tearfund - Make Life Flow, www.tearfund.org.uk/lobalooroll
Best use of Rich Media for Christians
Winner — 24-7 Shorts, www.24-7shorts.com/
Joint Winner — Island Wall Entertainment, www.islandwall.com
Runner Up — Planet Sport, www.planetsport.tv
