NASHVILLE – Top leaders from Google, Twitter, and Facebook made it clear that it's best that traditional media embrace the three Internet tech giants, they said while speaking at the annual National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville on Monday.

Guest speaker Claire Diaz-Ortiz, Twitter's social innovation leader, said that while her company was doing some analytics, just three years ago "we started to see that Bible verses were doing really well."

"Someone would tweet out Bible verses and 500 people would immediately re-tweet it," Diaz-Ortiz said. "People of faith were really engaged with these Bible verses. Religious content on Twitter is incredibly engaged. You can look at a pastor such as Andy Stanley and see that he will tweet something out and get more reaction and more engagement than famous celebrities like Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber with 50 times as many followers." more >>

NASHVILLE – Bestselling author Eric Metaxas addressed over 300 CEOs and executives of religious broadcasting outlets on Sunday, challenging them to experience or publicly demonstrate the "joy" that only Jesus Christ can bring into their lives and the lives of people in the world.

"The question is – especially for those of us who are professionals in the religious business – have you lost the joy of serving Jesus?" he asked the industry leaders. "Sometimes it is easier for those of us in this room to lose sight of this."

The New York native spoke candidly of his early life, especially about his childhood and how although he grew up in a home where his parents took him to church, his spiritual life centered primarily around culture and not on the teachings of the Bible. more >>

NASHVILLE – For millions of Americans, Hank Hanegraaff is known as the "Bible Answer Man" as they listen to his daily talk-radio show. Now Hanegraaff has addressed many of the most common questions about heaven and the eternal life in his latest book, Afterlife:  What You Really Want to Know About Heaven and the Hereafter.

Hanegraaff sat down with The Christian Post during a break from networking at the National Religious Broadcasters convention to discuss the book and how Christians should prepare themselves for heaven and what they can expect.

 CP: How did you get started in Christian Radio? more >>

NASHVILLE – The first installment in a video series produced in association with "My Hope America with Billy Graham" is planned for release by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on Monday. Those attending the BGEA breakfast meeting at the National Religious Broadcasters 2013 convention on Sunday were treated to an advanced screening of the gripping program, "Defining Moments."

"God looks at your heart and God sees that you have a spiritual disease, and that spiritual heart disease is called sin," says Billy Graham in the program. "The things that are broken in your heart and life can be restored in Christ, if you put your faith and your obedience in Him."

The video features the redemption stories of three individuals – illusionist Jim Munroe, NFL player David Tyree and musical artist Lacey Sturm – as told by them. Each found success in their careers, yet were still searching for hope while facing struggles. more >>

NASHVILLE – Morning sessions during the second day of the National Religious Broadcasters' four-day convention included breakfast meetings with such groups as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and a time of worship during the general session.

Author and speaker Tony Evans told those in attendance that he is grateful for the opportunity for people in the media industry to come together and remember that they can serve as a comprehensive influence in the world.

"This is not the day to be polite or give ordinary sermons or sing ordinary songs," Evans said. "We are watching this country falling. The kingdom of God needs to arise." more >>

NASHVILLE – National Religious Broadcasters President Dr. Frank Wright spoke about the challenges facing his media colleagues and urged them to stand strong amid the growing restrictions on religious freedom during the opening general session of the NRB Convention on Saturday evening.

"Restrictions on religious freedom anywhere, are threats to religious freedom everywhere," said Wright, who has guided the organization for the past 10 years.

Wright called on Christians to pay close attention to three specific areas that are an immediate threat to spreading the gospel. First, the Department of Health and Human Services, which he believes is spearheading the administration's fight against religious liberties. He highlighted the president's mandating companies – including most religious organizations that are not included in the narrow exemption – to provide contraceptives, including abortifacients, to women employees as among the threats to religious freedom. more >>