Raising a strong family is hard work, especially in a culture hostile to the Christian faith. The “Protecting Foundations of the Family” forum at NRB 2025 will examine top challenges to building strong families and will include actionable strategies to strengthen homes and communities.
“Mass media is striking directly at the heart of the family unit,” said Chris Stigall, the panel moderator. Stigall noted a growing societal acceptance of adult children severing ties with their families. “Using politics to separate families creates a culture of isolationism, loneliness, and ultimately despair. That’s how evil flourishes.”
Stigall speaks from rich experience in this area, both as a parent of three teenagers and as an advocate for Christian values in education. He hosts a nationally syndicated Salem News show and actively supports the Herzog Foundation, a nonprofit promoting Christian education, where he co-hosts the “Making the Leap” podcast with his wife Christine. On the podcast, Chris and Christine share their journey as parents and discuss the benefits of Christian education.
On the NRB Forum stage, “we intend to have a focused discussion on what courage in the face of social pressure looks like,” Stigall explained. “How boldness can win the day. Why it simply takes the courage of our convictions—peacefully and boldly proclaimed—to change the course of cultural decay.”
The panel will tap into each leader’s expertise in areas such as the role of churches in education, intentional parenting, and personal stories of transformation, all viewed through a biblical lens.
Attendees can expect to learn actionable solutions for addressing these challenges—not just for parents but for all citizens who care about the well-being of future generations. This session won’t shy away from tough topics, including gender confusion, the weakening of parental authority, and the rights of children. It’s a space where Christian parents and concerned citizens alike can engage in meaningful dialogue and equip themselves with tools to counter these threats.
“Many on this panel have actually ‘walked the walk’ and stood in the arena of ideas to battle for the family unit,” Stigall noted. “You can expect to come away inspired to stand tall and learn real-world solutions for impacting change in your community.”
Stigall will moderate the panel discussion, featuring:
- Chris Elston, known as “Billboard Chris,” a Canadian father of two and outspoken activist dedicated to defending free speech and children’s rights. Gaining attention for wearing a sandwich board reading “children cannot consent to puberty blockers,” he engages in public conversations about the impact of gender ideology on children’s well-being. Currently, Elston is involved in a legal battle in Australia, defending his right to share his views on social media with support from ADF International. Elston is the father of two girls.
- Katy Faust, founder & president of Them Before Us, a global movement defending the rights of children and families. She publishes, speaks, and testifies widely on why marriage and family are matters of justice for children. Her articles have appeared in Newsweek, USA Today, The Federalist, Public Discourse, WORLD Magazine, The Daily Signal, the Washington Examiner, the American Mind, and the American Conservative. She is on the advisory board for the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship. Her third book, Pro-Child Politics was published September 2024. She and her husband are raising their four children in Seattle.
- Mary Margaret Olohan, a senior reporter covering culture and politics at The Daily Wire. She has interviewed major political figures including the vice president of the United States and many members of the U.S. Congress, but her reporting has focused on the dignity of life, the protection of children’s innocence, and women whose private spaces are compromised by the presence of biological males. Her 2024 book, Detrans: True Stories of Escaping the Gender Ideology Cult, shares the powerful testimonies of individuals who regret their “transition” and have chosen to detransition.
- Delano Squires, a Research Fellow in the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Life, Religion, and Family at The Heritage Foundation. He is also a contributor to Blaze Media, which writes about faith, family, and culture as well as BlazeTV’s “Fearless with Jason Whitlock” podcast. Delano’s articles and essays have been published by Newsweek, The American Conservative, The Federalist, The Institute for Family Studies, Black and Married with Kids, The Root, and The Grio. Squires resides in Maryland with his wife and their three young children.
Don’t miss the “Foundations of the Family” forum at the NRB 2025 International Christian Media Convention in Grapevine, Texas, February 24–27, 2025. Register for the NRB 2025 Convention at nrbconvention.org, and add the forum to your schedule at this link.