ERLC Podcast

The ERLC's Psalm 139 Project is an incredible initiative that places ultrasound machines in pregnancy centers, giving vulnerable mothers a window into the womb so they can see the precious lives growing within them. And now, through a new initiative of the Psalm 139 Project called "Across State Lines," Southern Baptist individuals, churches, state conventions, and other entities can work together to extend pro-life ministry from conservative states into abortion-permissible states where the need is great. On today's episode, you'll hear from Beth Moore, Compassion Ministries Specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, about how Tennessee Baptists are living this out by promoting a culture of life in their state and beyond. Since 2022, they’ve helped place 14 ultrasound machines in pregnancy centers across Tennessee. They're currently offering life-saving care and the hope of the gospel by partnering with others to help fund an ultrasound placement in Vermont, where abortion is much more accessible.Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

State Baptist Conventions help mobilize, unify, and equip churches who are bound together by state lines. On today's episode, Dr. Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, talks with ERLC Interim President Dr. Gary Hollingsworth. They discuss the unique challenges Alabama Baptists are facing from supporting bi-vocational pastors to navigating pressing cultural issues such as abortion. They also highlight the significant pro-life work taking place through a partnership between Alabama Baptists, the ERLC’s, Psalm 139 Project, and the Alaska Baptist Resource Network that's promoting a culture of life across state lines, especially in abortion permissive states.Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

Mitch Kimbrell, chairman of the ERLC Presidential Search Committee and senior pastor at Christ Memorial Church, dives into the ongoing search for the next ERLC leader. He discusses how prayer and Scripture guide the committee's work and the importance of feedback from Southern Baptists nationwide. Mitch highlights the hope for a stable president who will strengthen the ERLC's mission and raise awareness of its resources. He expresses optimism about the strong applicant pool and the need for a leader who can engage with contemporary cultural challenges.

Today we're talking with Dr. Stephen Rummage of the Florida Baptist Convention. Our Baptist State conventions are vital in equipping and supporting Southern Baptist churches in their gospel mission. On today's episode, ERLC interim president Dr. Gary Hollingsworth talks to Dr. Rummage about the unique challenges churches in Florida are facing and how the ERLC can continue to serve them as they take the gospel to their communities. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

Technology has always shaped the way we live and think with AI rapidly evolving. The question is an if it's shaping us. On today's episode, we're joined by RaShan Frost, director of research and senior fellow at the ERLC and Jason Thacker, director of the research institute at the ERLC. Together, they'll walk through the ERLC's new AI guide for churches, sharing the principles behind it and how it can help pastors and leaders think well about who God is, what it means to be human, and how we understand the nature of the world around us. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

Welcome to the ERLC Podcast, where our goal is to help you think biblically about today’s cultural issues. I’m Lindsay Nicolet, and today we're talking about Artificial Intelligence and the Church. This summer, the White House released its AI Action Plan, highlighting how winning the race for AI “will usher in a new golden age of human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security.” But as Christians, we have to ask: How do we leverage this technology in ways that honor God’s good design? and How do we ensure AI is used to uphold human dignity rather than undermine it?On today’s episode, we’re joined by RaShan Frost, director of research and senior fellow at the ERLC, to explore AI’s impact on discipleship, education, family, and the fundamental question of what it means to be human.Learn more: https://erlc.com/erlc-podcast/what-you-should-know-about-ai/.Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

Before the Supreme Court rightly ruled in favor of a Tennessee law protecting minors from gender transition procedures, we hosted a discussion at SBC25 to talk through this important case.ERLC President Brent Leatherwood spoke to Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Alliance Defending Freedom’s Vice President Ryan Bangert about why this case matters, how we can protect our kids with helpful legislation, and ways the ERLC advocates for Southern Baptist interests before the courts.Jonathan Skrmetti was sworn in to an eight-year term as Tennessee’s Attorney General and Reporter in September 2022. Prior to his current role, General Skrmetti served as Chief Counsel to Governor Bill Lee and as Chief Deputy Attorney General to his predecessor. He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and four children. Ryan Bangert serves as senior vice president for strategic initiatives and special counsel to the president at Alliance Defending Freedom. He oversees ADF’s regulatory practice, government relations, and corporate engagement teams. He also advises executive leadership with strategic initiatives and appears as counsel for ADF clients. Bangert is an active member of the Texas Bar and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and various federal trial courts and courts of appeal.Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

This summer, in conjunction with anticipated Supreme Court decisions, we hosted a conversation about how Baptist state conventions are partnering with the ERLC to protect their churches’ biblical convictions when they are challenged at the Supreme Court. Panelists Nathan Lorick, executive director of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention; Julio Guarneri, Executive Director of Baptist General Convention of Texas; and Randy Davis, executive director of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, talked with ERLC President Brent Leatherwood about how both states filed amicus briefs alongside the ERLC in Supreme Court cases for 2025. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

How does being a Christians affect one’s public service? And what can Southern Baptists do to influence the public square? During SBC25 in Dallas, ERLC President Brent Leatherwood spoke with Ambassador designate Mark Walker, President Trump’s appointee for the Office of International Religious Freedom, Congressman Nathaniel Moran from Texas, and Sen. James Lankford from Oklahoma about being a Christian in Washington, D.C.Before being named as the Ambassador designate, Mark Walker represented North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2015 to 2021. Congressman Nathaniel Moran serves the first district of Texas, and is one of five Republicans appointed to the Ethics Committee, the body which upholds the House Code of Official Conduct. Lastly, Senator James Lankford served four years in the US House of Representatives for central Oklahoma, until he was elected to the US Senate in 2014.Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

This week marked a decisive victory in protecting minors from harmful gender transition procedures. The Supreme Court justices ruled 6-3 in favor of the Tennessee law banning healthcare providers from prescribing medication or performing procedures on minors to “transition” to an identity opposite of their biological sex. The protection of minors from harmful “gender transition” surgeries and interventions is good and appropriate. Furthermore, states have a constitutional responsibility to protect children from harm. Because of this, the ERLC advocated against such procedures, and filed an amicus brief alongside the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board in favor of the Tennessee lawmakers and the protection of children. Before the ruling was released, we talked about the importance of this case with Matt Sharp, who serves as senior counsel and director of the Center for Public Policy at Alliance Defending Freedom. Sharp earned his J.D. in 2006 from the Vanderbilt University School of Law. Since joining ADF in 2010, Sharp has authored federal and state legislation, regularly provides testimony and legal analysis on how proposed legislation will impact constitutional freedoms, and advises governors, legislators, and state and national policy organizations on the importance of laws and policies that protect First Amendment rights. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.