The designer credited with changing the face of Christian books and as a result opening up new markets for them was honored for his services to the industry during the ECPA's Executive Leadership Summit in Colorado Springs, Colo.

David Koechel received the 2011 Jordon Lifetime Achievement Award—named after the later Charles "Kip" Jordon, former publisher of Word Publishing and a respected industry leader—by ECPA President Mark Kuyper. It was the first time in the award's 28-year history that it was given to someone from the art and design field.

Attendees heard how Koechel was preparing for a life in the ministry when he was asked to help with some design work while in seminary. His first commissioned book cover was for David Wilkerson's I Am Not Mad at God, published by Bethany House Publishers in 1967.

Since then, he has designed covers, magazines, logos and ads for every leading Christian publisher and many ministries. A copy of his first book cover along with others from his career—including titles such as The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin; The Inspirational Bible, Max Lucado, general editor; and The Christmas Cross, also by Lucado—were on display at the presentation.

The award noted Koechel's "exceptional contribution to Christian publishing and his ... continuing legacy to impact lives for Christ through his marvelous creative gift of graphic design."

Accepting the award, a tearful Koechel said that the recognition was "the most humbling experience I have ever had in my life." Noting his switch in career plans, he said that he had been given "a tremendous ministry I could never have had using my voice," being given "the opportunity to do things to change people's lives worldwide."

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