FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2026
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
presscenter@nrb.org
Sec. Pete Hegseth to Headline NRB Freedom 250 Celebration at 2026 Convention
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NRB) — The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), the largest association of Christian communicators, is pleased to welcome the Honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War of the United States of America, as the headlining speaker for the NRB Freedom 250 Celebration on Thursday, February 19, 2026, during the NRB 2026 International Christian Media Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. As previously announced, Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, will join the program as a featured speaker, offering remarks following Secretary Hegseth.
The Honorable Pete Hegseth is the Secretary of War. He was sworn in on Jan. 25, 2025, as the 29th Secretary of Defense before the department’s name was changed on Sept. 5, 2025.
Hegseth was commissioned as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army National Guard after graduating from Princeton University in 2003. He participated in a number of active-duty deployments during his time in service, including operations in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth also served in multiple staff positions in the National Guard.
Hegseth’s military awards include two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB). He has authored five books, including the New York Times best-seller The War on Warriors (2024).
Marking 250 years of American independence, the Celebration brings together national leaders, Christian voices, and cultural influencers for an evening honoring the faith foundations of the American experiment and the enduring call to live as “one nation under God.”
The Freedom 250 Celebration builds on NRB’s mission to defend free expression, promote biblical truth, and equip Christian communicators to engage culture with clarity and conviction as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
Click here to view previously announced details on the NRB Freedom 250 Celebration.
The NRB Freedom 250 Celebration on Thursday, February 19 is open to all NRB 2026 attendees with a Full Registration or a Single Day (Thursday) Registration. No additional ticket is required. Additional security guidance to follow. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. To register, visit NRBConvention.org.
Expo Only and Expo Staff registration types will not be permitted to attend. To upgrade your registration from an Expo Only to one that will allow access to this event, please contact registration@nrb.org.
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About NRB
NRB is a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. NRB’s mission is two-fold: To protect the free speech rights of our members to speak Biblical truth by advocating those rights in governmental, corporate, and media sectors; and to foster excellence, integrity, and accountability in our membership by providing networking, educational, ministry, and relational opportunities. Learn more at www.nrb.org.
About the NRB Convention
The annual NRB International Christian Media Convention is the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assisting those in the field of Christian communications. The dynamic and award-winning Exposition consists of hundreds of organizations and is an active marketplace for those seeking products and services to enhance their organization. The next Convention will be held February 23–26, 2027, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For more information, go to www.nrbconvention.org.