Why an Award?

The Courageous Leadership Award (CLA) was created in 2007 and is a partnership between Willow Creek Association and World Vision. Its intent is to honor local churches actively engaged in one of the most difficult challenges facing our world today: the AIDS pandemic. We want to honor churches doing their best to bring assistance to the wholistic needs of under-resourced communities around the world suffering the devastating affects of AIDS. In addition, CLA hopes to raise awareness and inspire other churches to get engaged by highlighting the outstanding efforts of local churches everywhere…sharing stories, best practices, and next steps.

Award OverviewWin/Win

The Courageous Leadership Award is not only an opportunity to honor and inspire local churches. It is also a vehicle to flow additional resources to the front lines of the aids pandemic while at the same time giving the world the opportunity to see the church be the Church.

“People don't light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on it stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see our good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Our greatest hope is that CLA will be an instrument encouraging God’s people to direct Kingdom resources to this critical and life-impacting work, encouraging and empowering those engaged in the day-to-day battle against AIDS. And we pray that God will be glorified as His Church responds and the world looks on.

Click here to read the stories of past winners.