SBC This Week

Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson are back to talk about how Minneapolis churches are facing tensions around immigration and deportation, how two U.S. Supreme Court cases could great affect male and female athletics, a Lifeway Research report on how many churches opened and closed in 2024, SBC leadership transitions, an AI powered app from the North American Mission Board that trains people to sha...

Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson highlight the case against the SBC heard this week in Tennessee's Supreme Court, how Cooperative Program giving slightly declined in December 2025, the method the International Mission Board uses to assess unreached people groups, and how demand is up for Lifeway camps in 2026. Plus we hear from author and speaker Jen Wilkin on a new study in the book of Joshua an...

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson recap the top 10 stories across the SBC in 2025, talk with Southern Seminary's Thomas Schreiner about the Christmas story and share a heartwarming story about a family reunited after being torn apart.

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson share how 1,000 pastors received a unique view of Israel, a summary of seminary graduations, a special grand marshal at a recent North Carolina Christmas parade and Southwestern Seminary's Joe Crider shares about the history of well-known Christmas carols.

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson give convention related financial and legal updates, learn about the generosity of churchgoers during the Christmas season, talk about dealing with grief and hear about the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering from IMB President Paul Chitwood.

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson celebrate thousands of salvations at a Harvest Crusade near the site of Charlie Kirk's assassination in Utah, discuss Lifeway Research's 2025 State of Theology reports, consider how churches can compassionately communicate their benevolence policy, get a report on Gateway Seminary's impact in the western U.S., reveal the latest ultrasound placemen...

In this episode of SBC This Week, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson talk about recent leadership changes at Lifeway Worship, the retirement announcement of New Orleans pastor Fred Luter, recent public policy initiatives by the ERLC, the upcoming Deaflympics in Tokyo, pro-life initiatives, the opening of IMB Missions College registration, the ETC celebration of the anniversary of the Nicene Creed,...

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson discuss Send Relief’s aid to Jamaica following a devastating hurricane, how churches are evaluating their discipleship efforts, a flurry of state convention meetings, a Veterans Day interview with a retired military leader, and a history moment focusing on a prisoner of war who turned to his faith in the midst of hardship.

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson share how Send Relief is helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, they discuss Lifeway Research's finding based on the 2025 Annual Church Profile, IMB's Sending Celebration in Texas, Willy Rice's announcement as a potential candidate for SBC president at the 2026 Annual Meeting, the opening of registration for Crossover Orlando, the nominati...

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson talk about the life and legacy of SBC Executive Committee President Emeritus Morris H. Chapman, discuss SWBTS and MBTS trustee meeting reports, learn about the Bivocational and Small Church Pastor Leadership Network, the the need for disaster relief in Alaska.

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson share how Southern Baptists gave more than $270 million in missions offerings in 2024-25, learn about Southeastern Seminary President Danny Akin's retirement plans, talk about change at Southern Seminary, a Gateway Seminary extension in Hawaii and how the North American Mission Board wants to address significant lostness in Montreal.

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson talk about Southern Baptists give more than $186 million through the Cooperative Program in 2024-25, how messengers can reserve a hotel room for the SBC26 in Orlando, how churches are evaluating disciple making, the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustee meeting and a conversation with Taffey Hall on 100 years of Southern Baptist coopera...

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson highlight an upcoming Supreme Court case considering religious liberty and Colorado's ban on conversion therapy, the release of the 2025 SBC Annual, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission releases a prayer guide as they search for a new president, state conventions kick off in New York and Alaska, an interview on artificial intelligence wit...

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson celebrate this week's Sending Celebration, recap the Executive Committee and International Mission Board meetings, talk about the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission's ultrasound placement in Alaska, remember the devastation and recovery surrounding Hurricane Helene and learn how a Southern Baptist statesman from Arkansas impacted Washington...

In this week's episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson talk about this week's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission trustees' meeting, talk with trustee chair Scott Foshie, look back at the Great Commission Resurgence 15 years later, introduce the state executive director in West Virginia, learn about a unique trip to the mission field and cool off in the library at the New Orleans Baptist...

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson share about the ruling in the appeals case between Will McRaney and the North American Mission Board, how Southern Baptists were impacted by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the Southern Baptists of Texas' Disaster Relief is recognized in Washington, DC, the Southern Baptist Foundation unveils a new fund, Laura talks with Hobby Lobby founder Dav...

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson share Cooperative Program giving in August and discuss recent trends, they tell how the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is asking the VA to avoid funding abortions, how California Southern Baptists are speaking out about the importance of state and national work and they remember the legendary hymn writer B.B. McKinney.

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the massive response from Southern Baptists; they talk about Lifeway's fall trustees' meeting; the passing of former Foreign Mission Board President Keith Parks, the NAMB church replanter of the year and a mental health training event hosted by the Woman's Missionary Union.

In the episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson highlight Global Hunger Sunday, a revamped abuse prevention and response helpline, Mark Dance's move to lead Arkansas Baptists, ways college students partnered with the International Mission Board this summer, how God is moving in New England and this week's history moment is about O.S. Hawkins' important pastoral ministry decision in 1993.

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson talk about the formation of the ERLC president search committee; the theme for the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting and Pastors' Conference; how the International Mission Board is helping to mobilize the next generation; a Bible study rooted in a story of suffering and how a church cleverly used a community magazine to communicate with members and reach pr...

In this week's episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson talk about the dip in Cooperative Program giving in July, a new podcast series on the Cooperative Program, a win for religious liberty, how two churches are forming a unique partnership, how Southwestern Seminary is finding solid ground and an Army veteran's return to Nagasaki, Japan 25 years after the nuclear blast ending World Word II.

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson cover Brent Leatherwood's resignation from the lead spot at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the 250th anniversary of chaplains in the U.S. military, how a seminary professor's departure sparked a discussion on the "Great Traditions" of the Christian faith and a wisdom-filled interview with youth ministry consultant Jody Livingston

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson look back at the first seven months of 2025 to highlight seven areas of interest across the Southern Baptist Convention. From legal and financial updates to missions and church planting, they discuss the stories that have shaped 2025.

In this episode, Laura Erlanson and Brandon Porter discuss the life and legacy of John MacArthur, Bellevue Baptist Church's calling Ben Mandrell as senior pastor and how Lifeway will make a leadership transition, continued flood recovery in Texas, the implications of pastors taking on politics, the 100th anniversary of the Scopes Monkey Trial and how a Texas pastor was kidnapped and driven at gunp...

In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson talked about the sorrow and devastation due to the floods in Kerrville, Texas, Ben Mandrell being named the pastoral candidate at Bellevue Baptist in Cordova, Tenn., SBC President Clint Pressley opening the U.S. Senate in prayer, the clarifying of the Johnson Amendment and an interview with Jen Wilkin and Scott McConnell on deep discipleship.