NRB 2026 closed with a quiet but powerful throughline: faithfulness over fame.
As Christian communicators from across generations gathered for the Closing Gala and 2026 Special Service Awards, the evening reflected not just on achievement, but on lives marked by steady obedience—men and women who have labored not to build platforms, but to serve Christ and steward His Word.
Honoring both seasoned pioneers and emerging voices, the night echoed a central theme later captured in Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth’s message: true impact is not measured by visibility, but by faithfulness to God’s calling, and a commitment to pass that truth on to the next generation.
“May we leave this convention as a mighty army, determined to proclaim the Word, explain the Word, defend the Word, live the Word, and pass it on to the next generation,” urged NRB President & CEO, Troy A. Miller.
Musical guest Clark Beckham, an American Idol runner-up, led the room in worship before the presentation of the annual awards.
Lucas Miles accepted the NRB President’s Award on behalf of Charlie Kirk, honoring Kirk’s relentless advocacy.
“He carried a clarity of conviction that was rare, a courage that was costly, and a burden for the next generation,” Miles said.
Entertainment legend Pat Boone accepted the Board of Directors Award. Reflecting on his 70-year career in Hollywood, Boone humorously reflected on his readiness to keep serving God:
“All I can say is that I feel like a used toothpaste tube that maybe has one good squeeze left,” he said. “Now I’m hoping that God who has blessed me—a kid from Lone Oak Road who at 16 asked Him please to take over my life and show me how I could be useful to Him—He took me up on it, and I’ve never regretted that. And now, anything that He finds useful in me, I want him to do it because I’m looking for that meeting that will come pretty soon for me now. And I hope to hear ‘well done, good and faithful servant, enter now into the joys of your Lord.'”
Sadie Robertson Huff received the Next Gen Award, Pastor Jack Hibbs’ Real Life Ministry received the Billy Graham Award, and Dr. Robert Jeffress and June Hunt each received a William Ward Ayer Award. Dr. Randy Weiss, Dr. Jack Graham, and Terry Meeuwsen each received a Milestone Award.
The Hall of Fame Award was presented to Dr. Eriwn Lutzer who encouraged the Christian communicators in the room: “Everything has to do with Jesus Christ our Lord. All that I have ever done, that we have ever done, it’s all for Him.”
The Chairman’s Award went to Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, who also served as the keynote speaker.
Just six weeks prior to the Gala, she lost her beloved husband, Robert Wolgemuth, to a sudden battle with multiple illnesses. She reflected on the incredible gift of their marriage, which came after her 57 years of singleness.
“I have to say, I did not at that moment anticipate the waves of grief that would come crashing into my soul following the funeral,” she shared. Yet, she pointed to the anchor of her faith, repeating the phrase she uses to counsel her own heart: “Heaven rules, and Jesus is so very near.”
Marking the 25th anniversary of Revive Our Hearts, Wolgemuth warned broadcasters against the subtle traps of ministry. She cautioned against the dangers of self-promotion and “measuring success in terms of short term, visible metrics versus measuring success in the ways that God does with unseen eternal realities.”
In a world obsessed with fleeting news cycles, she proclaimed the unmatched, enduring power of Scripture to heal broken hearts—including her own.
“It’s not our words that will ever bring lasting change or transformation to people, to families, to churches, to neighborhoods, to countries, or to our world,” Wolgemuth said. “It is God and His Word.”
The NRB 2026 Closing Gala was sponsored by Discovery Institute and Life Surge.
The next NRB International Christian Media Convention will be held February 23–26, 2027, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For more information, go to nrbconvention.org.
