SAconnects Wins EPA Awards

by Robert Mitchell

SAconnects won several awards for writing, design, and video at the recent Evangelical Press Association (EPA) conference held May 4–6 in Branson, Mo.

Warren L. Maye, editor in chief of SAconnects magazine, congratulated the Eastern Territory Communications Department staff, particularly the video team, which won first place in both the long- and short-form video categories, and second in social media short.

“The performance of SAconnects was impressive, and The Salvation Army shone brightly as well, with both the War Cry and Peer magazine earning several top awards,” Maye said. “But even before the conference kicked off, the tone was set — with themes of humility and serving the Lord at the forefront. It began with my Uber driver from the airport to the hotel. He opened up about his life journey, sharing how he found Christ, became a pastor, and is now working toward his Master of Divinity degree. We spent a wonderful hour in conversation, exchanging our stories.”

Maye told the SAconnects staff to feel proud to be part of such a passionate community of writers, designers, photographers, and videographers using their talents to share Jesus Christ’s gospel message.

SAconnects magazine won an Award of Merit for denominational magazines. The magazine has received this honor multiple times, as well as a first-place Award of Excellence two years ago. The staff includes Maye, Robert Mitchell, Hugo Bravo, Reginald Raines, Lea L. Greene, and Donna L. Ng.

During the EPA business session, members confirmed new board leadership for the coming term. Sandra Glahn concluded her two-year tenure as EPA president, with Dwight Widaman, publisher of Metro Voice, now stepping into the role. Maye, previously EPA treasurer, was chosen as the EPA’s president-elect, a position held for two years prior to assuming the presidency, providing continuity in leadership development and governance.

SAconnects has won more than 60 EPA awards in the last 11 years.

Among the awards this year, SAconnects took home several first-place honors, including its first win for three feature titles that “powerfully draw readers into each story.” The awards include:

SAconnects also received the following recognitions:

  • Table of Contents, Second Place: Lea L. Greene.
  • Social Media Short Video, Second Place: Buffalo Soldiers ring the bell in Camden, NJ — Johnny Shyr, Alex Darcey, Julie Bacon, Jacob Douglass, Kevin Diaz.
  • Department, Third Place: Volunteer Spotlight — Hugo Bravo.
  • General Article: Medium, Fifth Place: Sobriety Through Service — Robert Mitchell.
  • Personality Article, Fourth Place: The Birdman of Rikers Island — Robert Mitchell.