TIME Magazine surprised many by naming the doctors fighting Ebola as their “Person of the Year” including Christian doctor Kent Brantly.

“From the community health care volunteers in Liberia, to the dedicated staff of organizations like Samaritan’s Purse and MSF, to the doctors and nurses at Emory University Hospital, Ebola Fighters are mostly anonymous heroes whose diverse faces are largely unknown even to their patients as they wage this war in head-to-toe protective gear,” Dr. Brantly said. “It is these nameless champions that TIME has recognized today.”

The magazine also honored other Christians such as Dr. Jerry Brown of the Christian mission Eternal Love Winning Africa Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia.

“Well, of course, turning the chapel into an Ebola unit was not welcomed by the staff of the institution. The bulk of them said, ‘Why should we turn the house of God into a place where we put people with such a deadly disease?’ And some said, ‘Where will you provide for us to worship in the morning?'” Brown recalled.

The story also focused on other stories of survival of virus including SIM missionary Nancy Writebol.

Several Christian organizations have hailed TIME for making this choice instead of something political.  One of those praising the choice was Samaritan’s Purse head Franklin Graham.

“This battle for life is far from over, and Samaritan’s Purse will continue our work in this huge effort. We pray for each one of these heroes on the frontline and those suffering from Ebola. May God bring healing and comfort to them all,” Graham said.