New $10,000 EMPOW Awards champion the next generation of Armenian Christian storytellers

PanARMENIAN.Net - A bold initiative by Khachkar Studios is shining a spotlight on the storytellers who are redefining Armenian Christian media. The newly announced $10,000 EMPOW Awards aim to empower creators who embody the heart of the Gospel in modern formats—from inspiring podcasts to captivating AI-generated videos.

Khachkar Studios, known for its dedication to “Good News” education and leadership, has pledged $250,000 to these awards in 2025. That investment is part of a larger, historically unprecedented $10+ million campaign focused on increasing engagement among U.S. Armenians with their Christian faith.

At the center of the EMPOW Awards is a compelling vision: to double the number of Armenian Christians who regularly attend Badarak outside of major holidays. Currently, that figure sits at just 3%. The awards target content that can directly influence this metric through spiritual resonance, originality, and emotional depth.

The five pillars of the EMPOW Awards—Engaging, Motivational, Powerful, Originality, and Wisdom—are more than criteria. They are a framework for identifying the next generation of Christian communicators.

Unlike traditional grants, these awards are designed for speed, scale, and impact. Winners may be selected monthly or even weekly, and the best work will be widely promoted through media channels and incorporated into instructional videos for developing role models.

Khachkar Studios is not simply handing out awards—it is cultivating a community of creators and visionaries. It is also responding to what it sees as a critical underinvestment in spiritual leadership. Between 2001 and 2023, major U.S.-based Armenian philanthropists allocated just 2% of their $825 million in giving to religious projects. EMPOW flips that narrative with a bold, mission-centric approach.

This initiative is deeply inspired by scripture. Guided by the parable of the talents, Khachkar Studios sees its resources as a trust—meant to be multiplied, not hoarded. The New $10,000 EMPOW Awards reflect this sense of spiritual stewardship.

As digital storytelling becomes the new front line in cultural engagement, Khachkar Studios’ EMPOW Awards promise to become a cornerstone in revitalizing the Armenian Christian identity—for this generation and the next.