OCJ Students, Staff Take Part in 2008 NRB Convention

March 19, 2008

Students and staff from the Olivet College of Journalism (OCJ) were among the nearly 6,000 attendants at the recent annual gathering of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB).

The Mar. 8-11 convention – the world's largest Christian communications event – drew top faith media professionals and Christian leaders from around the United States and from different parts of the world to encourage cooperation between groups wishing to harness the power of media to spread the Gospel.

"Meeting with hundreds of leaders and people across the world at one of the biggest Christian events … has been great experience for me," commented Sandra Natalia, an OCJ student currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Journalism, during the NRB Exposition – one of the highlights of the convention.

"Especially at the exposition, I saw many interesting ways in which people tried to promote their ministries and projects. Also, it touched me to see the many different platforms on which believers are preaching the Gospel and His Kingdom.  At the same time, I was challenged to be more creative and to continually examine the progress of my own works."

A wide range of participants – from A-list Hollywood producers to award-winning talk show hosts to small-town pastors – were in attendance at the 2008 NRB Convention & Exposition, dubbed the largest marketplace dedicated to Christian media professionals. 

The convention showcased over 300 exhibitors including well-known Christian groups and companies such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Salvation Army, Answers in Genesis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, and the Inspiration Network.

Secular companies such as Sony Electronics, Canon USA, and Adobe Systems also participated in the exhibit's Tech Lab, which featured hands-on product demonstrations for equipments such as cameras and video editing suites.

The NRB convention also offered educational sessions led by professionals at the top of their field, which took place simultaneously with the exhibition and guided attendees on topics such as raising funds, marketing, copyright laws, and transforming church worship with technology.

In total, nearly 70 educational sessions were available at the convention.

Special events at this year's NRB convention included a special screening of "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," a film featuring actor Ben Stein; a Night of Comedy; and a special appearance made by President Bush.

The next NRB convention will be held Feb. 7-10, 2009, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, where it was held this year.

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