ERLC Podcast

Today, we're talking with Dr. Mike Proud, executive director of the Colorado Baptist General Convention.  On today's episode, Dr. Proud shares highlights from the state convention's recent annual meeting and discusses the opportunities and challenges facing Colorado Baptists as they seek to engage their communities. He also discusses how the ERLC has partnered with Colorado Baptist...

Today, we're talking with Congressman Mark Harris of North Carolina’s 8th District. In this episode, ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow talks with Congressman Harris about his path to public office and his years of ministry among Southern Baptists in North Carolina.  Before serving in Washington, Congressman Harris pastored First Baptist Church Charlotte for more than a decade and later served as...

On today's episode, ERLC Director of Research Dr. RaShan Frost speaks with Dr. Quinn about his family's journey with foster care and adoption and how Christians can approach this topic from a biblical perspective.  In light of Orphans and Widows Sunday being recognized by our SBC churches on November 8, we want to highlight how Christians can live out the biblical call to care for those...

On this episode, you’ll hear from ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow as he speaks with Dr. Fowler about an upcoming pro-life ballot initiative that seeks to prohibit abortion and gender transition procedures for minors. If passed, this measure would ban most abortions in Missouri, a state which currently allows abortion up to fetal viability.  Dr. Fowler shares more about why this ballot initiative mat...

On today's episode, ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow speaks with Zack Pruitt, the ERLC’s vice president of public policy and general counsel.  Zack shares about his new role and how he'll contribute to the ERLC's mission to assist churches by providing practical resources and advocating for Southern Baptist convictions. Zack began his role at the ERLC on September 14th of this year.  P...

This episode features a conversation about the newly released book, "Faith and Freedom: Six Theological Reflections on Religious Liberty." On today's episode, ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow speaks with the book's editor, Dr. Jennifer Patterson, and one of the book's contributors, Dr. Jonathan Leeman. In their conversation, they discuss how religious liberty has been underst...

This episode features Dr. Willy Rice, president of the Southern Baptist Convention.  On today's episode, ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow speaks with Dr. Rice about his recent election as the 66th president of the SBC, his vision for the convention, and how the ERLC can partner with and equip churches as they navigate complex cultural issues.  In addition to serving as SBC president, Dr. Rice ha...

This episode features the ERLC's new church guide, "What God Has Joined Together: A Practical Guide for Honoring God's Design for Marriage."  On today's episode, you'll hear from ERLC Director of Research, Dr. RaShan Frost, as he speaks with Dr. Lilly Park, one of the principal advisors on the church guide, about how to approach marriage, singleness, and sexuality fro...

Today's episode features Grace Jin Drexel, recipient of the ERLC's John Leland Religious Liberty Award. In October 2025, Grace's father, Pastor Jin, was arrested in his home as part of a nationwide crackdown in China on independent Christian churches. He and 17 other leaders from Zion Church were arrested and imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party. Following her father's arr...

On today's episode, ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow talks with Dr. Foshie about the encouraging work and unique challenges facing churches across Illinois.  With more than 900 churches, Illinois Baptists are working together to advance the gospel to the 12.7 million people who call Illinois home, while also reaching people from more than 200 nations who live in the state.  Dr. Foshie also share...

The Brentwood Statement is a collaborative statement from Southern Baptist leaders, led by Lifeway, designed to help guide Christian ministers as they navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI in ministry and everyday life. Dr. Jason Thacker, director of the ERLC's Research Institute and a senior fellow, served as the primary author of that statement.  On today's episode, Dr. RaSha...

As Matthew 5:13-16 tells us, we are to be salt and light in a dark world. In this new series, we want to encourage you with examples of Southern Baptists who are bringing the truth of God's Word to bear, not only in the halls of Congress, but in their local communities. By sharing these stories, we hope to spur you on to ask, "What can I do?" as you engage the culture with the hope...

As a state convention of more than 2,000 churches, Mississippi Baptists are seeking to equip local churches to make disciples in Mississippi and around the world. From college campuses to prison systems to communities experiencing poverty, they are taking opportunities to share the hope of the gospel in every corner of Mississippi. On today’s episode, ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow speaks with Dr....

Several years ago, Dr. Mark Liederbach, senior professor of ethics, theology, and culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Dr. Evan Lenow, president of the ERLC, collaborated on a book titled “Ethics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship,” which released in 2021.  On today's episode, ERLC Director of Research, Dr. RaShan Frost, speaks with Dr. Lenow and Dr. Liederbach...

Our nation's 250th anniversary was a momentous occasion. To celebrate America's founding and Christianity's influence throughout her history, we hosted an event on Monday night of this year's SBC Annual Meeting, featuring a keynote and a panel based on the ERLC's newest collection of essays titled "One Nation Under God: Reflections on 250 Years of Faith and Democracy&...

On Monday night of this year's annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, the ERLC hosted a packed dinner event in honor of our nation's 250th anniversary. During the event, the room was greeted by Dr. Evan Lenow during his second week as ERLC president, in addition to hearing a keynote address and a panel.  On today's episode, you'll hear from keynote speaker, ERLC Director of Resear...

Don Currence has become a staple at SBC annual meetings over the years in his service as registration secretary and assisting his predecessor. Don has a unique insight into ministry and public service. In addition to his responsibilities within the SBC, Don has also served as mayor of Ozark, Missouri since 2023 and as the administrative pastor at First Baptist Church of Ozark since 1993. He also v...

This summer's Supreme Court case, First Choice Women's Resource Centers, Inc. v. Davenport was about the state of New Jersey issuing a subpoena for the personal information of First Choice donors all in an attempt to intimidate the supporters' pro-life mission. On April 29, the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous victory for First Choice, upholding the ruling that First Choice cou...

Dr. Hollingsworth joined the ERLC as the entity's interim president on October 1, 2025 and concluded his tenure on May 31, 2026. On today's episode, you'll hear from Dr. Hollingsworth as he reflects on his time leading the ERLC and the firsthand impact he has seen the ERLC's work have on assisting churches in how to address cultural issues from a biblical perspective.  He also...

North Carolina Baptists have been a longtime partner in advocating for the lives of our smallest neighbors, pre-born children. They have generously donated nearly 10% of the ultrasound machines that the ERLC'S Psalm 139 Project has placed in pregnancy resource centers.  On today's episode, ERLC President-Elect, Dr. Evan Lenow speaks with Todd Unzicker about this ongoing partnership to sa...

As the executive director for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Dr. Nathan Lorick has a passion to see the Lord work in his state. The SBTC's mission is to mobilize its 2,880 churches to multiply disciple making movements in Texas and around the world. In the past year, the convention has planted 68 churches and projects even more in the year ahead.  In addition to planting churches...

On April 13th, we were excited to announce that Dr. Evan Lenow was unanimously elected by the ERLC’s Board of Trustees to fill the role as the Commission’s next president.  On today’s episode, Dr. RaShan Frost, ERLC director of research, speaks with Dr. Lenow about his vision for the ERLC as he steps into his new role on June 1 and how his Southern Baptist background has shaped him personally and...

This July marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we approach the SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, we’re developing resources to help you equip your congregation to live out their faith in the public square—engaging in cultural issues with a faithful gospel witness.  On today’s episode, you’ll hear from Dr. RaShan Frost, ERLC director of research, as he speaks with D...

As Southern Baptists, we believe in the sanctity of all lives, from conception to the natural end of life. But in recent years, we’ve seen the value of human life increasingly challenged through legislation, both domestically and internationally, that seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide.  Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed heartbreaking developments related to end-of-life issues. In...

More and more pastors and ministry leaders are walking alongside couples facing infertility and the difficult questions surrounding assisted reproductive technologies. For many couples, the good longing for a child is accompanied by deep grief, complex decisions, and quiet heartache. Often, these struggles remain largely unseen within the life of the church.  To equip churches, the ERLC recently r...