Bridge Award

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The BRIDGE AWARD was established by the Communication Department at the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s World Headquarters. The award recognizes meritorious contribution to Seventh-day Adventist communication through avenues of public church awareness, visionary thinking, excellence in responsible journalism and professional mentoring, in addition to outstanding achievements in media, public relations and public affairs.

The award is offered in harmony with the vision statement of the Church's communication strategy: "Seventh-day Adventists will communicate hope by focusing on the quality of life that is complete in Christ."

Nominations for the award are proposed by the leadership of the Communication Department, and announced after a meeting of a Bridge Award Committee, composed of experts in the communication industry. Recognition is given to such communication specialties as journalism, public relations and public affairs cinematography, broadcasting and media productions, as well as corporate communication.

The first awards were presented on April 5, 2001 at the Seventh-day Adventist World Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. at the occasion of the quinquennial World Communication Advisory of the Adventist Church.

Nominations for the Bridge Award are evaluated by group of Adventist communication professionals - Tereza Byrne <tereza@comcast.net>, David Brillhart <dave@brillhart.com>, Rajmund Dabrowski <dabrowskir@gc.adventist.org>, Pamela Harris <pharris@andrews.edu>, John T. Banks <johnpatbanks1@bigpond.com>,

Bridge Award presented in September 2008:

Reger Smith, awarded posthumously in honor of his professionalism in creatively conveying the Adventist message of hope and quality of life through design, public relations and music; for creating and coordinating the establishment of the visitors' center at the church's world headquarters.

Bridge Award presented in March 2007:

Matthias Müller and the Team, Darmstadt Media Center, Germany, in recognition of their outstanding professional productions to communicate the Adventist message of hope and quality of life in secular European society and through its media ministries.

Bridge Award presented in January 2007:

John T.J. Banks, Sydney, Australia, in recognition of lifelong service to corporate communication, media relations of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and mentoring others in innovative Adventist media productions.

Bridge Award presented in March 2006 to:

Terry Benedict, McDonald, Tennessee, United States, for communicating principles and values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church through the medium of film, and for inspiring professional involvement at the cutting edge of the film industry.

Bradley Trevor Greive, Sydney, Australia, for valuable contributions to the literary arts, creating a body of work that has delighted millions throughout the world and has mirrored the principles of Seventh-day Adventist quality of life.

Allen and Andrea Steele, Cooranbong, NSW, Australia, for pioneering and inspirational work fulfilling God’s mission through Seventh-day Adventist radio broadcasting, and their skills in corporate communication, writing and public relations.

Jaroslaw Wajk, Warsaw, Poland, for increasing Seventh-day Adventist public awareness in Poland through professional, contemporary musical productions, and communicating God’s mission and message “outside the walls”.

Bridge Award presented in July 2005 to:

John Smith, Southampton, England, in recognition of outstanding service to corporate communication in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and in appreciation for his skills in mentoring in the field of Adventist broadcast journalism.

beech Dr. Bert B. Beach, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, to an untiring advocate of religious freedom and a bridge builder between churches and religions; promoter of communication among Christians and especially through the Christian World Communions; and to a masterful communicator of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dr. Pamela Harris, Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States, an outstanding educator in the field of communication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; for her contribution to creative promotion of the Adventist message of hope and quality of life; and raising the public profile of the church.

Lynn E. Friday, in appreciation for her outstanding contribution to the Adventist Communication fraternity, and for excellence in coordinating activities of the corporate communication office at the world church headquarters and internationally.

Bridge Award presented in July 2003 to:

Siloe Almeida, Brasilia, Brazil, in recognition of outstanding service to corporate communication in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and raising the public profile of the Adventist faith community in South America

Dr. Milton Afonso, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to a visionary with a philanthropic heart, in recognition of his unwavering commitment to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, profound interest, support and endorsement of the internation Adventist communication media-radio, television and satellite, as well as in the realm of Christian education

Bridge Award presented in March 2002 to:

Bruce Manners, Warburton, Victoria, Australia, in appreciation for his outstanding contribution to the Adventist communication profession in the South Pacific through reporting of church news, maintaining high editorial standards, and upholding journalistic ethics.

Bridge Award presented in April 2001 to:

David Brillhart, Columbia, Maryland, U.S.A., for masterful advocacy of professionalism in Adventist videography, creating the benchmark for quality communication, and for conspicuous friendship.

Raymond Coombe, Sydney, Australia, in recognition of outstanding service to corporate communication in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and gratitude for 15 years of distinguished leadership in the South Pacific.

Dany Guenin, Annecy, France, in recognition of a professional broadcaster who is untiring and conscientious in making Adventist radio programming culturally and socially relevant.

Royson James, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in appreciation for being a mentor to Adventist journalists and for conscientious efforts to address people's issues as a communication professional.

Gabriel Reynaud, Sydney, Australia, (presented posthumously) in honor of his professionalism in creatively conveying the Adventist message of hope and quality of life through masterful media productions, and in appreciation for challenging Adventist communicators to be innovative and relevant to culture and society.