Dr. Brad East, associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University, received the 2026 Michael J. Gerson Memorial Prize for Excellence in Writing on Faith and Public Life Oct. 13 as part of the Trinity Forum Evening Conversation at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Established in 2025, the prize honors emerging writers whose work embodies deep Christian faith, intellectual thoughtfulness, and a commitment to justice and human dignity.
The selection committee, chaired by Peter Wehner and comprising Russell Moore, Christine Emba and Karen Swallow Prior, recognized East for his contributions to national conversations on faith, public life, human dignity and moral leadership.
“In a distracted and angry age, he shows us what is worth pursuing. He’s a gifted teacher, a rigorous mind and a writer of unusual grace,” Wehner said of East.
East’s scholarly achievements include his book, Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry, which received Christianity Today‘s 2024 Award of Merit for Book of the Year. His writings have appeared in publications such as Christianity Today, Commonweal, First Things, The Christian Century, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and The Hedgehog Review. He was named ACU’s Teacher of the Year in 2022 and is a 2007 graduate of the university.
The prize honors the legacy of Michael J. Gerson (1964–2022), a former White House speechwriter and Washington Post columnist known for integrating Christian conviction with accessible writing on public affairs. It includes a $10,000 award and offers mentorship to the recipient as their career progresses.
East’s selection highlights ACU’s commitment to fostering scholars who contribute meaningfully to public discourse on faith and public life, said Dr. Phil Schubert, president.
“Brad represents the best of what we hope to cultivate at Abilene Christian University: Christian conviction, intellectual excellence, and a commitment to engaging the world with wisdom and grace,” he said. “His recognition through the Michael J. Gerson Memorial Prize is a remarkable honor, not only for Brad but for our entire university community. We are proud that his influence extends from the national conversation to the students he teaches here at ACU.”
The Trinity Forum, founded in 1991, is a Washington-based nonprofit that cultivates Christian intellectual thought and connects it to questions of culture, leadership, and the common good. Its programs convene writers, scholars, civic leaders and other influential thinkers.
– Oct. 20, 2026