The Cordell Prizes

The Cordell Prizes are awarded annually to elevate stories of Christian suffering endured with Spirit-empowered joy and Christ-like courage.

WORLD Journalism Institute administers the prizes: first place is $5,000, second place is $3,500, third place is $2,500, and honorable mentions are $500.

Winning submissions will demonstrate Biblical truth about suffering and trials through deeply reported, well-written stories of individuals and groups who have endured deep suffering with a strong Christian witness.

If the article meets WORLD's standards and hasn't been published in another publication, editors are committed to publishing the stories online at wng.org, and possibly in WORLD Magazine. 

Submission guidelines, process, and timeline to be posted after January 1, 2027.

Winners of the 2026 Cordell Prize

First Place goes to Abby Young from Owasso, Oklahoma
I am a senior studying journalism at the University of Oklahoma, where I cover city news and politics for our newspaper, the OU Daily. I’m also a graduate of the World Journalism Institute. I love community journalism, and am passionate about international news after living overseas as a military child. On my college campus, I am a member of the Honors College and I serve with Cru and International Friends campus ministries. I’m sharing the prize with the photographer who covered this story, Annie Davenport.

Follow the link to read Abby's story: Silence is not a strength.

Second place goes to Josephine Lee from Newhall, California
I was born in the U.S., raised in Malaysia, and found my purpose in Thailand. I’ve been writing for myself as long as I’ve known how, but God graciously showed me how to write for Him by awakening me to the stories of refugees in Southeast Asia. After studying communications and interdisciplinary studies at The Master’s University, I now write and edit for an international Christian ministry. I’m thrilled that I get to witness (and share) snippets of how our amazing God is working around the world. 

Follow the link to read Josephine’s story: A Migrant Worker Called to Ministry.

Third Place goes to Libby Bandelin from Mankato, Minnesota
I am an aspiring investigative reporter and recent graduate of Dordt University where I studied journalism and criminal justice. Growing up homeschooled as the oldest of four girls, my passion for the written word started at a young age. This calling to write grew and shaped in college, while serving as Editor-in-Chief of my school’s newspaper, The Diamond. I also am a graduate of World Journalism Institute and interned with WORLD newsgroup, and The Federalist. In my spare time I enjoy being active, traveling to new places, exploring the outdoors, playing the cello and trying my hand at learning new hobbies like crochet or calligraphy. Starting this fall I will be living in Washington D.C. full-time as a fellow with the Daily Caller News Foundation. I am passionate and driven to dive deeper into the issues in the world with a fierce pursuit for truth to the glory of Christ. 

Follow the link to read Libby's story: Dordt alum detained by immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.

Honorable mentions:

Daisy Sachoff, Santa Clarita, California
Georgia Lodewyk, Sheridan, Wyoming
Sarah Atkins, Spruce Pine, North Carolina

"What inspired us to establish this prize is the unheralded anonymity in which some Christians faithfully face uncomplainingly great struggles, especially those relating to physical pain and suffering, and whose example should inspire and instruct the Church at large. Yet for lack of an articulate and accessible voice, believers continue to hunger for 21st-century inspiration. This prize is intended to motivate and reward the voices, the vehicles for inspiration."

-Joseph and Yvonne Cordell