Mark Burnett, Roma Downey to Win WEA Entrepreneurial Award

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey have been named as award recipients at the Entrepreneurial Leaders Conference where they will also deliver the keynote address this year.

The husband and wife team recently completed the "Bible" series, which is set to premiere on The History Channel on March 3.

Furthermore, Burnett is well known for creating the hit television series "Survivor," but the TV mogul has also produced several other television franchises such as "The Apprentice," "The Voice," "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader," and "Shark Tank."

Alternately, Downey is best known for her starring role on "Touched by an Angel."

Both deeply committed Christians, the power couple married in 2007. Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance, described Burnett and Downey as extremely worthy recipients of the Entrepreneurial Leader Award and praised the couple's work on the "Bible" series.

The couple will attend the World Evangelical Alliance Entrepreneurial Leaders Conference in Vancouver, Canada on Nov. 14.

Meanwhile, Downey and Burnett's highly anticipated "Bible" series will feature 10 hours of visually enchanting takes on well-known and beloved Biblical stories. Noah's Ark, the Exodus, Abraham, and the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are among the Bible stories covered in the television series.

The couple conceived the idea for the series based on Scripture three years ago.

"I've loved Jesus all my life," Downey told The Christian Post about the series. "It's a passion project for Mark and myself."

It is the hope of Downey and Burnett that "The Bible" can become a template for learning and added to curriculums the world over.

"A great story that happens to be our faith," Burnett added.

The series sees stars such as "Game of Thrones" actors Sean Bean and Nonso Anozie, while Roma Downey herself portrays Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Following its March 3 premiere, remaining episodes of "The Bible" will air each Sunday with the finale arriving on Easter Sunday, March 31.