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Pictured left to right: Joey Pierce, ABS; Hope Award Winners Scottie and Jack Barnes, founders of Forgiven Ministry; Marvin Olasky, WORLD Magazine, and Simon Barnes, ABS (no relation to Scottie and Jack). Photo by Mark Rogers.

The American Bible Society and WORLD Magazine co-sponsored the “Hope Awards for Effective Compassion,” an event that recognized and celebrated small Christian not-for-profit organizations that work in big ways to tangibly share the gospel with those in need. The Hope Award Grand Prize went to Forgiven Ministry of Taylorsville, N. C. Also recognized as Hope Awards finalists were Snappin' Ministries of Oconomowic, Wis., and CrossOver Ministry of Richmond, Va. The event took place in Arlington, Texas, on October 16.

Forgiven Ministry, Inc. is a North Carolina ministry to inmates and their families that was founded by Scottie Barnes, herself the child of a prisoner. She hopes to narrow that gap for other children through a program, “One Day With God,” for inmates and family members, and other programs to train volunteer mentors.