The Late Pastor and His Wife Recognized for a Legacy of Conviction, Courage, and Community Focused Ministry
Biola University has named Timothy “Tim” Keller and his wife Kathy as the 2025 recipients of the prestigious Charles W. Colson Award for Conviction and Courage. The ceremony is set for April 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Ethel Lee Auditorium on Biola’s campus in La Mirada, California, where President Barry H. Corey will present the award. Due to Tim’s passing in May 2023 and Kathy’s inability to attend, their son Michael Keller will accept the honor on their behalf.
Read More
Tim Keller was a towering figure in modern Christianity, known for founding Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and co-establishing the Gospel Coalition, a respected Christian media platform. His 31 books, which have sold over 6 million copies and been translated into 29 languages, reflect his profound influence. Kathy Keller, a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, contributed significantly to Redeemer’s leadership and authored a book of her own. Together, their ministry blended a global vision with a deep commitment to local communities.
This marks the first time Biola has jointly awarded the Colson Award to a married couple, a fitting tribute to the Kellers’ shared legacy. Their work echoes the community-centered ethos of Chuck Colson, the award’s namesake, who championed initiatives like Prison Fellowship.
President Corey praised the couple’s approach, saying, “Tim and Kathy Keller’s ministry displayed a creative and imaginative evangelism. 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.”
The Kellers join an esteemed list of past recipients, including Joni Eareckson Tada, John M. Perkins, Luis Palau, Robert P. George, and Andy Bales. Their recognition underscores a lifetime of service that balanced bold faith with compassionate outreach.
