Evangelical Press Association conference offers resources, networking for Christian media professionals

Earlier in May, the Evangelical Press Association held their annual convention in the Nashville suburb of Franklin, Tennessee. Christian communicators from across the U.S., and some from other countries as well, spent time networking, learning and encouraging one another, the 75th such gathering since the organization’s founding in the late 1940s. 

The EPA brings together Christian print and digital publications with the goal of serving the Kingdom of God, providing members with opportunities to build relationships and strengthen professionalism. Allowing for obvious changes in technology and platforms, the mission still reflects that of the founding members: to become a united, professional voice as well as a doctrinally united voice on conservative evangelical beliefs such as justification by faith alone and the inerrancy of Scripture, while connecting members with providers of services, such as printing, that might be difficult for individual members to secure on their own. 

Keynote and breakout sessions were filled with valuable information to help members grapple with hot current topics such as the ethical use of artificial intelligence; deal with controversial topics in times of political and religious fracture; create content that holds attention as people tend to scan quickly; capture engaging and good-quality video using a smartphone; and much more. 

For a break from focused learning, musical artists Jason Gray and Chris Blue provided uplifting worship during plenary sessions, and a highlight of the event was an evening singalong led by Keith and Kristyn Getty, featuring their new hymnal, Sing! Attendees’ voices raised in harmony further underscored the unity around using media to share the Gospel, and each participant received a copy of the hymnal to take home. 

Several Missouri organizational publications and freelancers are members of EPA, and since the group held its convention last year in Branson, many 2026 attendees shared their good memories of attending “David” together at Sight & Sound Theater or staying over to experience other attractions. This year’s Nashville experience included a “dinner on the town” evening, to check out the downtown food and music scene, which includes some Branson artists who travel between the two destinations to perform. 

A much-anticipated part of the annual conference is the presenting of “Higher Goals” awards to publications and freelancers for specific articles, and “Awards of Excellence” for entire categories of publications. Southwest Missouri winners included the Assemblies of God’s Influence magazine, housed in Springfield, which received an Award of Merit for Christian Ministry Print Magazines and placed in the awards for several specialized articles; and the Globe’s own Cynthia Thomas, who received a fifth place Higher Goals award for her devotional, “Reflections: The Riches of Contentment.”  

In the age of AI, good faith-based online content is vital as search engines need to find good content to pull from; but print magazines and newsletters are still popular also. EPA is highly recommended not only as a networking organization for anyone wishing to freelance in creative media work, but as a resource for those looking to create a publication without having to hire a staff member for every single aspect. People wanting to publish a book can find reputable options operated by Christian entities, through the “Affiliate Member” directory at