LA MIRADA, CA — Timothy “Tim” Keller and his wife Kathy are the joint recipients of Biola University’s 2025 Charles W. Colson Award for Conviction and Courage. The award was presented on campus by Biola’s President Barry H. Corey on April 9 at 9:30 a.m. in Ethel Lee Auditorium. Tim and Kathy’s son, Michael Keller, accepted the Colson Award on behalf of his father posthumously and his mother who is unable to attend.

Tim Keller was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, cofounder of the esteemed Christian publication the Gospel Coalition, and is the author of 31 books that have, combined, sold over 6 million copies and been translated into 29 languages. Tim Keller passed away on May 19, 2023, leaving a lasting legacy.

Kathy Keller received her graduate degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She formerly served on the leadership team for Redeemer Presbyterian Church and is the author of one book.

This will be the first year the Colson Award is presented jointly to a husband and wife. Their years of ministry together, though global in reach, always had a community focus, which mirrored much of Chuck Colson’s work in the various ministries he led, including Prison Fellowship.

“Tim and Kathy Keller’s ministry displayed a creative and imaginative evangelism,” said Corey. “They had eyes to see like Jesus, to speak to the large crowds and also notice the one, helpless or overlooked, on whom Christ had compassion. Like Jesus, they moved towards those who needed him most. They were people of conviction … to the gospel’s work in all times and places, to biblical fidelity, to God’s sovereign grace. They were people of courage … to engage in the life of the mind, to speak truth with kindness, to extend globally their vision for the church. Few leaders in the past century have been as committed to gospel conviction and courage quite like the Kellers, and few have been as humbly rooted in the way of Christ. I can think of no couple more fitting to receive the Colson Award.”

Previous recipients include Joni Eareckson Tada, John M. Perkins, Luis Palau, Robert P. George, and Andy Bales.

News media is welcome to attend the ceremony.

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CONTACT: Sarah Dougher, 562-906-4524, sarah.m.dougher@biola.edu