Wilberforce Award

Call for Nominations 

Please review the award criteria and submit the form below to nominate an individual for the 2026 William Wilberforce Award. 

Chuck Colson established the William Wilberforce Award to annually recognize a Christian leader who exemplifies the principles and commitment of William Wilberforce, the great English statesman who waged a forty-year campaign to end the slave trade in Britain and to reform a broken society. The award honors Christian leaders who also, by their example and actions, make a difference in the face of tough societal problems, injustices, and opposition. By recognizing faithful men and women, we hope to encourage believers to emulate the same uncompromising courage and conviction. 

Recent recipients of the Wilberforce Award include Dr. Ananthi Jebasingh, founder of the Good Samaritan Schools in India (2025); David and Barbara Green, founders of Hobby Lobby and champions of the Bible in public life, the sanctity of preborn life and religious liberty (2024); Shodankeh Johnson, whose work as a pastor, church planter, and reformer has brought great cultural and social transformation in his home country of Sierra Leone and beyond (2023); and co-recipients Jack Phillips and Barronelle Stutzman, whose stand for Christ has led to increased protections for religious liberty and pointing many to Christ (2022). 

 The Colson Center is seeking nominations for the 2026 Wilberforce Award, to be presented at the Colson Center National Conference in Knoxville, TN on May 30, 2026.  We rely on the input and suggestions of Christian leaders, Colson Fellows, previous award winners and others for discerning potential candidates, from whom the Colson Center board of directors, through prayer and discernment, selects the awardee. 

Award Purpose:  To present its recipient as an example and model of the witness of real Christianity, making a difference in the face of tough societal problems and injustices. The award will encourage Christians to follow its recipient’s example and demonstrate to the wider world the benefits of Christian influence in society. The purpose of the award is not to venerate, enrich, or magnify an individual, but to lift that person up as an example, like William Wilberforce. 

Award Criteria: The William Wilberforce Award will be presented to an individual who vividly exemplifies the passions and the principles demonstrated by William Wilberforce, including the following: 

1.      Making a significant impact on social ills through personal effort, skill, and influence; 

2.      Showing perseverance and selflessness in combating injustice, even to the point of sacrificing personal comfort, career, and reputation; 

3.      Making a positive change in the values and character of society—“reforming manners”—through personal witness, example, and education; 

4.      Serving as an exemplary witness for Christ.