African Christian Authors – ACABA by CLC Kenya
Recognising, Celebrating & Promoting Quality in Christian Authorship in Africa
Written . Published . Impacting
Named after Ken and Bessie Adams, founders of CLC International, whose work laid the foundation for accessible Christian literature worldwide, this award celebrates the ACABA author whose content reflects spiritual depth and relevance.
The recipient will receive a Kes 200,000 Republishing, Printing, and Distribution Contract to refine their book and bring it to a global audience, ensuring their message resonates far and wide.
We are thrilled to introduce the Legacy Award, a tribute to Ken & Bessie Adams, the pioneering founders of CLC International. This special award honours their enduring impact on the global Christian book industry and celebrates their unwavering belief in the power of Christian literature to shape lives, cultures, and faith.
Why the Legacy Award?
Ken and Bessie Adams, inspired by a vision to spread God’s word during World War II, opened their first Christian bookshop in 1941. From these humble beginnings, they laid the foundation for what is now an expansive network of CLC bookshops, publishing arms, and ministries. By the time of their passing in the mid-1980s, CLC had expanded its operations to over 30 countries. Today, CLC International operates in more than 45 countries—all dedicated to distributing Christian literature and resources. Their tireless commitment to Christian resources has provided spiritual nourishment to countless lives worldwide.
The Legacy Award for Content of the Year
This distinguished award celebrates an ACABA author whose content exemplifies spiritual depth, relevance, and the values championed by the Adamses—commitment to spreading the Gospel, a heart for service, and a passion for Christian literature. This award, presented annually, seeks to honour those who, like Ken and Bessie, spread faith through publishing, distributing, and promoting literature that uplifts and empowers in Christ’s name.
The Prize
The recipient of the Ken & Bessie Adams Legacy Award will receive a KSh 200,000 Republishing, Printing, and Distribution Contract, a unique opportunity to refine their book and bring it to a global audience, ensuring their message resonates far and wide.
May this award inspire future generations to continue the Adamses’ mission, spreading God’s word through Christian literature in honour of their remarkable legacy.
2021–2025 | Legacy Award Recap
Five years of celebrating outstanding African Christian content that demonstrates Biblical faithfulness, spiritual depth, relevance and transformational value. Honouring authors whose books carry messages that instruct, disciple, encourage and strengthen readers.
A timely Christian message exploring personal responsibility, integrity and accountable living.
A message of courage and resilience, encouraging readers to face life's challenges with renewed strength.
A spiritually relevant message that invites readers to reflect on God's calling and their purpose in His service.
A thought-provoking message connecting Biblical truth with the enduring legacy of a life lived with purpose.
A relevant Christian message encouraging wise relationship choices, patience and faithfulness to Biblical values.
An engaging approach to introducing young readers to Scripture and nurturing early Biblical understanding.
For five years, the Ken & Bessie Adams Legacy Award has recognised African Christian authors whose books carry the potential to teach, disciple, encourage, challenge and transform lives.
Through publishing and printing support, we are helping significant Christian messages move beyond recognition towards greater accessibility, stronger publishing standards and wider readership across Africa and beyond.
One Message. More Readers. Lasting Legacy.
Option 1: Republishing Support
Editing and/or cover design support
to strengthen publishing quality.
Option 2: Printing Support
Print-on-Demand support to increase
book availability and reach.
Financial figures reflect individual award allocations supplied for 2021, 2024 and 2025. Awardees from 2022 and 2023 are included for recognition without recorded financial allocations, as there was no funding in those two years. The award category has a Kes 50,000–Kes 100,000 publishing and printing support contract, shared where there are joint awardees.
Written . Published . Impacting
Written . Published . Impacting
Written . Published . Impacting
Written . Published . Impacting
Written . Published . Impacting
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