AWARD HISTORY
Believing that the future of our nation depends in large part on the character and integrity of our leaders, Dr. Kennedy and the board of directors of the Center for Christian Statesmanship established an annual award to promote faith, virtue, and excellence in public service.
The Distinguished Christian Statesman Award is an honor that represents the ideals of service to God and country. A Christian Statesman is a man or woman whose life is governed by a bedrock set of principles over which they will not compromise for personal or political gain. A Christian Statesman is a person whose commitment to Christ and love of country compels him or her to stand for truth and righteousness in government. A Christian Statesman recognizes that public service is a high calling – a ministry ordained by God (Romans 13:4) – and that they will one day render an account to God for that service. In short, a Christian Statesman is a person who fears God more than men.
The Distinguished Christian Statesman award was created to recognize men and women who endeavor to live out their Christian faith in public life. True Christian statesmanship is revealed in that person whose commitment to Christ and love for country compels him or her to stand for truth and righteousness in government, upholding those principles that exalt rather than debase the nation. Such persons live their lives guided by a Christian world and life view, which acknowledges the sovereignty of God and compels them to make their life count for the kingdom of Christ.
Each year the Board of Directors prayerfully selects a recipient whose public service and private life upholds these ideals. Since the inception of the award in 1996, an annual reception or dinner is held to recognize the recipient.
Throughout America’s history; God has raised up men and women to serve as Christian Statesmen. Their moral strength and reliance on God’s providential care guided our great nation during its founding era. Their dedicated service has sustained us during crises of civil war, world war, depression, poverty, and racial division. As America moves forward, it is our prayer that God will raise up a new generation of Christian Statesmen and that through them He will continue to secure the blessings of liberty for generations to come.
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Past Award Recipients
2022 – Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears
2021 – Rep Vicki Hartzler
2020 – Rep. Bob McEwen
2019 – Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos
2018 – Senator James M. Inhofe
2017 – Rep. Mark Meadows
2016 – Governor Matt Bevin
2015 – James Lankford
2014 – The Honorable John Boozman
2013 – Governor Mike Huckabee
2012 – The Honorable Joseph R. Pitts
2011 – Rep. Trent Franks
2010 – Rep. Robert B. Aderholt
2009 – Rep. Randy Forbes
2008 – The Honorable Mike Pence
2007 – Rep. Todd Akin
2006 – Rep. Mike McIntyre
2005 – Rep. Marilyn Musgrave
2004 – Rep. John Hostettler
2003 – The Honorable Kay Coles James
2002 – Rep. Tom DeLay
2001 – Rep. J.C. Watts
2000 – Senator Sam Brownback
1999 – Majority Leader Dick Armey
1998 – Senator Dan Coats
1997 – Chief Justice Roy Moore
1996 – Senator John Ashcroft