Christian author, apologist and pastor Timothy Keller and his wife Kathy Keller are the joint recipients of Biola University’s 2025 Charles W. Colson Award for Conviction and Courage. Tim and Kathy’s son, Dr. Michael Keller, accepted the award on April 9, 2025, on behalf of his father posthumously and his mother who was unable to attend.

Recipients of Biola’s Colson Award, which is named in honor of Charles Colson — prolific writer, speaker and man of strong Christian faith — are individuals committed to advancing the gospel through evangelism, discipleship and Christian worldview training; men and women who are courageous, guided by conviction and charitable in their example of Christian leadership to the next generation.

“With this award we seek to highlight individuals who demonstrate commitment to the unshakable truths of a biblical worldview, and who embody biblical convictions, even in the face of risks or challenges. It’s an award recognizing the essential traits of both conviction and courage,” said Biola president Dr. Barry H. Corey. “As I have said, conviction without courage goes nowhere. Courage without conviction goes anywhere. But conviction with courage goes somewhere, and that somewhere happens through those people willing to stand up for what they believe and step out of their comfort zone for what they believe.”

This was the first year the Colson Award was presented jointly to a husband and wife. The Kellers’ years of ministry together, though global in reach, always took a community focus, which mirrored much of Colson’s work in the various ministries he led, including the founding of Prison Fellowship.

Tim Keller was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, cofounder of the esteemed Christian publication the Gospel Coalition, and the author of numerous books including The Reason for God, The Prodigal God, and The Meaning of Marriage, which he co-authored with his wife, Kathy. He 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, but the legacy of his public ministry continues to have a tremendous effect on millions in the church around the globe.

Like her husband, Kathy Keller received her graduate degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. She formerly served on the leadership team for Redeemer Presbyterian Church and is the author of Jesus, Justice, and Gender Roles: A Case for Gender Roles in Ministry.

“As we honor the legacy of Chuck Colson’s conviction and courage through this award, we can think of no better example of these traits than Tim and Kathy Keller. There are few leaders as influential as the Kellers in Christianity today, and few who have been as humbly rooted in the way of Christ, and it is our great joy to celebrate the work God has done in them today,” said Corey.

After receiving the award on behalf of his parents, Michael Keller addressed the Biola community with a message about the importance of relying on Jesus while weathering mental, spiritual and emotional storms in life, reminding those in attendance that Jesus is in the midst of all storms. Following the award ceremony was a luncheon honoring the Keller family.

The Kellers’ notable influence is well known among the broader Christian community, and Biola is honored to recognize their legacy and lifelong commitment to gospel ministry. Some past recipients of the award include Joni Eareckson Tada, John M. Perkins, Luis Palau, Robert P. George, and Andy Bales. 

Written by Katelyn Ho, strategic communications assistant. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.