The ECPA Pinnacle Award is presented in special recognition of the outstanding contribution by an author for their body of work to the industry, church, and society at large

2024

Sarah Young, author of the Jesus Calling devotionals, was honored posthumously with the ECPA Pinnacle Award in recognition of her impact to the industry, church and society at large. Her devotionals have sold over 46 million units worldwide, and she was known to pray daily for her readers. The first title, Jesus Calling, earned a Double Diamond Milestone Sales Award from ECPA in 2023 for over 20 million sold.

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2023

ECPA presented award-winning author Philip Yancey with the Pinnacle Award in special recognition of the outstanding contribution by an author for their body of work to the industry, church, and society at large. Yancey has explored the most basic questions and deepest mysteries of the Christian faith, guiding millions of readers with him. Early on he crafted best-selling books such as Disappointment with God and Where is God When it Hurts? More recently, he has explored central issues of the Christian faith, penning award-winning titles such as The Jesus I Never Knew, What’s So Amazing About Grace? and Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? Philip has written over 30 books -- selling over 20 million copies in 49 languages worldwide.

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2022

ECPA presented pastor, theologian, and bestselling author Timothy Keller with the Pinnacle Award honoring the impact of this body of published work in a variety of categories including apologetics, biblical studies, theology, prayer, devotionals, marriage, Bible study, the church, and cultural engagement.  His books, published by a variety of companies including several ECPA houses, have sold more than 7.5 million units and translated into more than 25 languages.

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2021

ECPA presented bestselling author Max Lucado with the Pinnacle Award for the outstanding contribution of his writing.  His books have sold more than 130 million, are distributed in 80 countries, and translated into 45 languages. "It is such an honor for ECPA to present the Pinnacle Award to Max Lucado," said ECPA president Stan Jantz.  "I was a bookseller in 1985 when his first book On the Anvil arrived. The accessibility of the writing, and the clear expression of the heart of someone who loved Jesus more than anything, were clear indicators that this was a special author."

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2020

ECPA presented Stormie Omartian with the Pinnacle Award for the outstanding contribution of The Power of a Praying® series, both to the industry and to society at large. The series’ collection of 20 books, published by Harvest House Publishers, has achieved more than 30 million in sales worldwide since the debut of The Power of a Praying® Parent in 1994. "For the past 25 years, Stormie’s books on prayer have had an enormous impact on the way Christians relate to God and to each other," said ECPA president Stan Jantz. "I’m not exaggerating when I say her books have spawned a global movement of prayer.”

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2019

ECPA presented Dr. Gary Chapman with the Pinnacle Award for the outstanding contribution and impact of The 5 Love Languages™ book collection, now numbering 10 titles. “Rarely does an author like Gary Chapman come along, one whose books impact marriages and families on a global scale,” said ECPA president Stan Jantz. “It is an honor to recognize the enormous influence of Dr. Chapman’s writing, coupled with the skill of Moody Publishers to publish the most bestselling books of their kind in the world.”

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2007
In 2007, the first Pinnacle Award was presented to authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins for the exceptional contribution of the Left Behind® series. The 16-book series was published by Tyndale House Publishers and has topped multiple best-selling lists. As of 2016, the series had sold more than 80 million, making it one of the best-selling series of books in history.