The Gospel Music Association (GMA) and The American Bible Society (ABS) have recently agreed to a long-term Ministry Partnership that celebrates songwriters who incorporate the Bible's life-changing message into their music.

The new partnership calls for the GMA and the Bible Society to create a new songwriting competition at GMA's Annual Music in the Rockies event, according to Dr. Paul G. Irwin, president and CEO of the American Bible Society and John W. Styll, president and CEO of GMA.

The ABS Scripture Song category will be added to the 34th Annual GMA Music in the Rockies, scheduled for 3-9 August 2008.

"Music has the power to inspire, while the Bible has the power to transform. With the Bible Society's support as our Ministry Partner and their guidance as the administrator of the ABS Scripture Song category, the GMA is very excited about the prospect of raising up new generations of Biblically-informed songwriters who will create music that both inspires and transforms lives," said Styll.

The ABS Scripture Song category, which will be held in addition to GMA Music in the Rockies' other talent and songwriting contests, will give awards to songwriters who adapt, derive or base music on Scripture from both the Old and New Testaments.

The prizes for this category of the competition will include a personalised Bible from the American Bible Society for each writer or co-writer; a guaranteed track on an ABS recording project to be released by a major record label and distribution company and a Steuben crystal award.

The ABS Scripture Song Awards will be given in three classes: Amateur, Semi-Pro and Professional Non-artist and all musical styles and genres, including pop, rock, rap, inspirational, adult contemporary, worship, southern gospel, urban gospel, country, Latin, hip-hop, children's and holiday styles, will be eligible for the award. In support of the competition, the Bible Society will conduct workshops at GMA Music in the Rockies about the art of writing Bible-based lyrics.