Atchison, KS — Benedictine College has awarded the John Paul II Distinguished Speaker Award to J.P. De Gance, founder and president of Communio, recognizing his pioneering leadership in renewing marriage and family life as a vital means of advancing the Gospel. 

The award, previously bestowed on distinguished figures, such as New York Times Columnist Ross Douthat, is presented to leaders who have made an extraordinary contribution to the New Evangelization called for by St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. The New Evangelization is a renewed effort to proclaim the Gospel, both to those who have never heard of Christ and to those who, though baptized, have drifted away from their faith, emphasizing a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. 

“This award is a great recognition that evangelism and marriage in the 21st century are completely intertwined,” said De Gance.  

“The dominant culture has attacked the very idea of what it means to be human, leading to an explosion in loneliness and human suffering. But the winds of revival are blowing, and the Holy Spirit is at work right now bringing about that revival through the renewal of Christian marriage,” said De Gance.  “I’m incredibly humbled that Benedictine College would give this award named after the very man who did so much to ignite the New Evangelization through the restoration of marriage,” he said. 

Through Communio, JP De Gance has led a national movement to renew marriages and families through a Christ-centered, data-informed strategy. The ministry’s unique approach equips churches with critical insights into the relationship dynamics within their congregations and surrounding communities — enabling them to design targeted ministries that strengthen marriage, reduce divorce and promote family stability.  

Under De Gance’s leadership, Communio has launched major partnerships across states like Arizona, Arkansas, Michigan, North Carolina and Missouri, working with Catholic, Baptist and non-denominational churches.  

In Jacksonville, Florida, their efforts contributed to a 24 percent drop in divorce, while more recent initiatives have reduced the number of couples considering divorce in individual churches while also growing Sunday attendance. Participating churches in Kansas City saw Sunday attendance grow by 25 percent and a statewide initiative in Montana has supported 43 churches that have grown an average of 23 percent in their Sunday attendance.  

As De Gance explains, “Strong marriages lead to stable families, safer communities and healthier churches. By focusing on marriage renewal, we are helping churches advance the Gospel in powerful ways.” 

“St. John Paul II was a champion for the family and for the Church, who inspired much of what we do at Benedictine College,” said Stephen D. Minnis, President of Benedictine College. “J.P. De Gance’s work shares in the best of what St. John Paul did, elevating our attention on marriage and increasing the effectiveness of the Church. No one deserves this award more, and we were honored to be able to give it to him.” 

Dr. Tory Baucum, Director of the Center for Family Life at Benedictine College, also praised the selection.  

“The JPII Distinguished Speaker Award goes to outstanding Catholic leaders who embody the teaching of our great Pope’s message of the New Evangelization,” said Baucum. “Therefore, it is especially fitting that this year’s award goes to J.P. He has advanced the New Evangelization in a singular way through equipping Catholic and Protestant churches in spreading the Gospel through ministries of relational health and marriage catechesis.”