Wayne Pederson, chairman of the NRB International Committee, emceed the event, introducing many first-hand stories of the transformative work being accomplished by international ministries to spread the Gospel worldwide.

Hannu Haukka, CEO & founder of Great Commission Media Ministries (GCMM), offered a poignant reflection on the war in Ukraine. Eduard Kurylenko, director of Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) in Ukraine, provided a firsthand account of their broadcasting efforts, utilizing both AM radio and social media platforms to reach those affected. He emphasized the direct connection his radio team maintains with Ukrainians, through the numerous calls they receive from individuals seeking solace and support.

Bonnie Sala, president & CEO of Guidelines International and NRB international standing committee member, interviewed Joseph Kebbie and Barty Shokralla about their current work, passions, and challenges through their ministries.

Kebbie, Africa Director at Your Network of Praise (YNOP) / New Life Africa Networks, works to bring radio to the Kissi people group in West Africa, which encompasses Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

“So many people are dying without Christ, that’s why we want to start a Christian radio station to reach my own people,” Kebbie said, “because I understand the culture in these three different countries. The time is now.”

As CEO of Miracle Connect, Shokralla leads a ministry in the Middle East and North Africa that uses online media, home churches, discipleship, and personal outreach to share the Gospel.

“Our desire is to see the underground, persecuted church get the support and the help they need,” he said. “Isolation, loneliness, and fear” are the top challenges faced by the community and given the hostile environment for Christianity in these cultures, the struggles are compounded by shame and the possibility of severe persecution.

Throughout the session, Mimy Cifuentes, worship artist at Mimy Music, led the group in times of worship in both Spanish and English.

Arnold Enns, CEO at COICOM, introduced Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, the keynote speaker of the event. Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), delivered a powerful message calling the church to stand firm in biblical truth while engaging the culture with innovation and influence.

“There is a battle going on in America and around the world without a doubt,” Rodriguez declared. “The battle is between darkness and light. The battle is between relativism and truth. The battle is between sin and holiness, pride and humility, hatred and love, chaos and order, fear and faith.”

Referencing Ephesians 6, he reminded attendees that believers are called to put on the full armor of God to withstand these forces. He emphasized that fulfilling the Great Commission requires resilience and an unwavering commitment to truth, standing firm rather than conforming to cultural or political expectations:

“There is no such thing as private Christianity,” he said “There is no such a thing as silent Christianity.”

Rodriguez warned against sacrificing truth for comfort: “Complacency is tomorrow’s captivity. Because we are what we tolerate. Because truth must never be sacrificed on the altar of political or cultural expediency.”

He highlighted the increasing attacks on biblical values in media and education, particularly in relation to the next generation. He called on Christian content creators and ministry leaders to produce messages that counteract these forces.

“If the enemy doesn’t grab a hold of our children in the womb, the enemy is attempting to captivate our children in the classrooms and through culture and social media and content,” Rodriguez said, “with ideologies and social contracts that are counterintuitive to the imago Dei and the purpose of God.”

This battle for the hearts and minds of young people, he stressed, is one the church cannot afford to ignore. The response, according to Rodriguez, is for believers to take a stand—not just in churches, but in all spheres of influence. When asked whether his church leaned left or right, Rodriguez responded with bold clarity: “At our church, we don’t lean. We stand. We stand on the promises of God. We stand on the finished work of Christ.”

Rodriguez’s words were a challenge to live boldly, to refuse to compromise, and to ensure that the next generation receives the unfiltered, undiluted message of the Gospel. As the Church moves forward, one thing remains certain: it is not a time to lean—it is a time to stand.

“There’s a lot of noise out there, and what is critical is that your message of hope and truth gets heard,” said Devon Kline, Head of Go to Market at Gloo AI, which was the Platinum Sponsor of NRB 2025.

The Great Commission Forum was sponsored by Medi-Share and MEDIA Alliance International.

Marq James, chief marketing officer at Medi-Share, and Dr. Ian Day, chief medical officer & VP of medical affairs at Medi-Share, led the group in a time to recognize health breakthroughs with a response of “thanks be to God.”

Dr. Ron Harris, founder & president of MEDIA Alliance International, shared their mission and work, emphasizing the growing need to “help share the Gospel with the 3.4 billion people who need to hear the hope of Jesus.”

About Medi-Share

Christian Care Ministry (CCM), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Melbourne, FL, sits at the intersection of faith and sharing, connecting needs to resources. CCM is most known for its Medi-Share program, a Christian health care sharing option providing an affordable health insurance alternative for faith-based consumers. In its 30th year of sharing, Medi-Share serves nearly 400,000 members across America and has earned accreditation from the Independent Healthcare Sharing Accreditation Board. For more information about Christian Care Ministry, visit this link.

About MEDIA Alliance International

MEDIA Alliance International, founded in 2013 by Dr. Ron Harris, is dedicated to equipping and supporting Christian media leaders worldwide. The organization offers resources such as weekly leadership podcasts, media training, regional forums, and ongoing mentorship to empower ministries in effectively broadcasting the Gospel. By fostering global connections among Christian broadcasters, MEDIA Alliance International enhances the impact of faith-based media initiatives, extending God’s message across diverse cultures and regions. For more information about MEDIA Alliance, visit this link.