On July 25, NRB members from across the country and around the world attended a virtual summit moderated by Melissa Sturgis, National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Director of Membership, and packed with valuable information from NRB leaders who provided updates on key areas, including legal issues, public policy, and the upcoming 2025 NRB Convention. Members also participated in sector-specific breakout sessions led by NRB committee members, providing a great point of connection and relationship building for professionals working in various sectors of Christian media.
NRB President and CEO Troy A. Miller gave an executive update on the state of the association.
“God has put us in a wonderful position,” Miller said. “He’s continued to bless us both financially and operationally, with great staff to execute our mission and our influence on Capitol Hill within the areas that are important to our members.”
Miller discussed how the NRB is going to be adding additional staff in key areas. He also mentioned how NRB is working with several of its members to help communicate issues that are key to NRB and its members in the upcoming election.
“We’re not a political organization—that’s not our end goal,” Miller said. “We’re about being able to communicate the Gospel, the only real hope for mankind, across all the airwaves and all the mediums that are available to us today.”
Miller announced an exciting new capital campaign for NRB called “The Voice of Christian Broadcasting in the Nation’s Capital,” to help NRB acquire a permanent office on Capitol Hill. He shared some of the plans for how NRB hopes to use additional permanent space in DC.
Attendees also heard from Mike Farris, General Counsel for NRB, who discussed active legal efforts, including multiple NRB filings of amicus briefs in the Supreme Court and lower courts advocating for issues relevant to Christian communicators, including cases that involve religious freedom and the right of Christian organizations to hire based on shared values.
“We contend that Christians should be able to do the same thing that left-wing organizations do and not be forced to hire people that don’t share their mission and values,” Farris said.
Noelle Huizenga, NRB’s Vice President of Public Policy and Communications, shared positive momentum for NRB-backed issues in the media, including the AM for Every Vehicle Act, which has recently faced obstacles on Capitol Hill but enjoys a broad base of support. NRB continues to work with friends and allies in DC to get the bill across the finish line.
Additionally, NRB just filed a comment in the important FCC proceeding regarding the rules that govern Low Power Television stations.
Huizenga also discussed two NRB publications, Washington Next Week and NRB Today, and encouraged member participation in the President’s Council, a group that works as strategic partners and ambassadors for the work of NRB. In addition, the Capitol Hill Media Summit running September 18–20 gives President’s Council members opportunity to interact with members of Congress, the FCC, and other policymakers.
Beth Wakefield, NRB Vice President of Events, shared details about the annual convention, (February 24–27, 2025) this year in Grapevine, Texas, close to Dallas/Fort Worth. Wakefield encouraged members to check out NRBConvention.org to follow information they are adding every day as they confirm speakers, topics, exhibits, and other events. Wakefield also shared that members can enjoy the lowest registration rate for the convention in 20 years.
After the leader updates, members participated in sector-specific breakout sessions for digital media, film, international, radio, and TV. The sector session facilitators included leaders of NRB committees in sector-specific areas: Yvonne Carlson, chairman of the Digital Media Committee; Paul Sirmons, member of the Film Committee; Wayne Pederson, chairman of the International Committee; Michael Shelley, chairman of the Radio Committee; and Joshua Weiss, chairman of the Television Committee.
Attendees also discussed planning for the 2025 NRB Convention. In the sector sessions, leaders shared about the industry awards they’re offering, most of which are open only to NRB members, and answered questions. The awards application window runs August 1–31.
NRB members have the exclusive privilege of participating in live webinars and subsequently viewing their recordings. If you or your organization are interested in becoming a member, reach out to membership@nrb.org.