How can faith be made visible? In over 250 creative entries, young New Apostolic Christians from across India interpreted the 2026 motto as part of a logo contest. The winners have now been announced.
The winning logo is a circular illustration centred on a glowing white cross that divides the design into contrasting left and right halves. The left half is a stormy sky filled with black clouds and jagged lightning. Below, waves surround an outstretched hand reaching upward, suggesting someone struggling or in distress. The right half contrasts sharply with warm yellows and golds. A large hand, scarred by a wound, reaches downward in a gesture of help. Below, in the foaming waves, the viewer’s eye is guided toward a small human figure with raised arms, standing in a pool of light. Around the circle are the words “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.”
“The image powerfully portrays the compelling tension between fear and faith. With vibrancy and depth, the image captures our attention while centring the motto,” said the jury, explaining their choice of the winning entry in the 2026 logo contest in India.
A motto that comes to life
The aim of the annual logo contest in India is to artistically interpret the annual motto and bring faith to life through art. In previous years already, dozens of creative and colourful entries were submitted. Anyone who is under the age of 25 and comes from India, Bangladesh, the Maldives, or Sri Lanka can enter the contest. Participants simply need original ideas to create the artwork in A4 size on either paper, chart, or canvas.
“Don’t be afraid. Just believe!” Over 250 entries from across India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands brought the motto to life. The focus was on the following questions: How do you imagine courage, hope, or trust in God? What does it look like when you choose faith over your fears?
The entries ranged from biblical stories about the three men in the fiery furnace to logos that prioritise faith over fear in everyday life. According to the website of the New Apostolic Church India, the winning entries of this year’s competition “stood out for their creativity, visual impact, and the way they beautifully brought to life our motto”.
And the winners are …
Jaswin Rachelson from Chennai in South India took first place in the contest with the design described at the beginning. With immediate effect, this artwork will be the official 2026 logo used by the New Apostolic Church in India.
Second place went to Kshanaya Prakash Pakhare from Seawoods in Mumbai. “The image takes us back to a defining biblical moment, when Jesus called Peter to choose faith over fear amid the crashing waves. Kshanaya’s work is both dramatic and deeply meaningful,” the jury praised.
Infi Hannah from Diary Farm in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands took third place and impressed the jurors with her monochrome style and her reflection on Jesus’ words: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.” The jury explained: “Infi Hannah’s artwork reminds us of our calling” and “beautifully depicts this message, highlighting the faith we must hold on to amidst the fear”.
The three top winners will receive one-time educational assistance. Ten thousand rupees will go to the first winner, five thousand to the runner-up, and three thousand to the third place winner. In addition, the top ten winners will receive a spiritual book along with a personal message from an Apostle.
Photo: NAC India
