Dr. John Trent, co-author of best-seller The Blessing (Thomas Nelson), has been awarded the James Dobson Award for excellence in marriage and family research and advocacy. For decades, Trent and co-author Gary Smalley have equipped parents and spouses with practical tools to transform their homes from the inside out through The Blessing.

Trent is the president of the nonprofit Strong Families and serves as the Gary Chapman Chair of Marriage and Family Ministry and Therapy at Moody Theological Center. He is the author of two dozen books.

Trent said he was flattered by the award.

“What an incredible honor,” said Trent. “I can only think of 100 people who should have been given such an award before me. I am nonetheless greatly honored and flabbergasted.”

The James Dobson Award is conferred each year during the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) Annual Conference. This year’s conference is located in Nashville.