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 to equip churches in their state to address pressing cultural issues. His insights offer a helpful look at how state conventions and local churches can work together to serve their communities and engage the culture. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 president of the North Carolina Baptist Convention. He now brings that background in pastoral ministry and service to his work in the U.S. House of Representatives.Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 in need. Dr. Quinn's story offers us a personal look at how families can put that calling into practice and how churches can come alongside them in this important work. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 matters for Missouri Baptists and how this vote could affect families and communities in the state. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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. Prior to joining the ERLC, he served as senior counsel and director of U.S. government relations for Alliance Defending Freedom, the world's largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, parental rights, and God's design for marriage and family.  Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 understood across different evangelical traditions, as well as the biblical and doctrinal arguments for protecting this First Freedom. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 has been the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida since 2004 and has previously pastored churches in the Florida Panhandle and in Alabama. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 from a biblical perspective in today's culture. She also addresses how the church can help Christians, both single and married, navigate challenges stemming from cultural pressures and the effects of past sexual sin while finding hope and healing in Christ. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 arrest, Grace began publicly advocating for his release and for the release of other Christian leaders detained by the Chinese Communist Party. Her advocacy continued until her father was released on July 3, 2026. On today's episode, Dr. Evan Lenow talks with Grace about her continued work to see religious liberty restored for persecuted Christians in China, and how the American church can advocate for their brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for their faith. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 shares how Southern Baptists in Illinois are advocating for preborn lives and mothers facing unplanned pregnancies, particularly in a state known as an abortion destination. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.