NRB 2026 Convention Opens with Charge for Christians to Engage Culture Without Compromise

The NRB 2026 International Christian Media Convention opened with a clear and compelling charge to Christian communicators: stand firm in faith and engage the culture with courage. Blending spiritual encouragement with sober reflection on today’s legal, cultural, and technological challenges, the opening session, marked by powerful testimony and worship, set a decisive tone for the week ahead. 

NRB President & CEO Troy Miller introduced the central theme for the gathering.  

“A new era of Christian media starts now,” Miller said. “And it starts right here in this room.” 

Miller challenged the audience of Christian media professionals to step out of the stands and onto the playing field, warning of the dangers of watering down the Gospel for the sake of cultural relevance.  

“Media shapes how people think, live, vote, and engage,” he said. “For far too long, we’ve let secular voices or watered down voices disciple the masses.”  

A video greeting from President Donald J. Trump underscored the administration’s support for religious broadcasting.  

“America is founded on faith and religious liberty, and under this administration, we are once again defending your rights and restoring our historic identity as one nation under God,” the President affirmed in virtual remarks, highlighting his efforts to eradicate anti-Christian bias. 

The event featured several prominent voices advocating for Christian engagement in the public square. Bunni Pounds, founder and president of Christians Engaged, took the stage to champion civic duty among believers. She urged Christians to “pray, vote, and engage” in every election. Pounds also introduced the upcoming “America Reads the Bible” initiative, planned around the nation’s 250th anniversary. She challenged the audience: 

“What would it look like if we did this in the backdrop of the 250th birthday of America?” Pounds said. “I’m calling the American people back to Bible reading, … back to discipleship.” 

Further illustrating the necessity of freedom, NRB General Counsel Michael Farris spoke on the organization’s relentless legal battles to protect Christian voices, specifically regarding the Johnson Amendment. He explained that defending free speech is rooted in the desire to share the Gospel without government interference. 

“We’re not the people that are trying to shut down people who disagree with us,” Farris said. “We believe in freedom of speech for everybody, because that’s where the power of the Gospel will flourish.” 

Pastor H.B. Charles of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church delivered a timely exhortation against the modern trend of relying on “pulpit entertainment,” urging communicators to return to biblical exposition. 

“In whatever Christian communication media you have been called to, just stick with the Scriptures,” Pastor Charles urged the crowd. He emphasized that true Christian ministry leaves no room for personal glory or changing the core message.  

“Every time you get a chance to open your mouth, may it all be about Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” he said. Drawing from 2 Timothy 2:15, he offered a final challenge to all Christian creatives: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved. … You can be a smashing success with men and a horrible failure with God.” 

The evening concluded with an electrifying performance by renowned singer-songwriter Nicole C. Mullen, accompanied by the Lipscomb University Gospel Choir led by Aaron Howard. Drawing from the story of Job, she encouraged the audience to push fear aside. 

“I may not know what’s going on, but I’m going to tell you what I do know,” Mullen declared. “I know that I know that I know that I know that my Redeemer, He’s alive, and He’s well.”