Capitol Conversations

Over the past two weeks, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on two important cases for religious liberty. The court convened via conference call, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and as such, the public could listen live for the first time in history. Josh Wester, from the ERLC’s Nashville office, joins Jeff Pickering, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, and Travis Wussow, to discuss the cases critical for conscience rights, Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey Berru and Little Sisters of the Poor v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This episode is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of Talking Points: Abortion by Dr Lizzie Ling & Vaughan Roberts

Joshua B. Wester serves as Chair of Research in Christian Ethics. In this role, he provides analysis, content, and counsel on ethical issues to advance the ERLC’s internal and external needs, directs research and content development for the President, and coordinates the ERLC’s academic partnerships. He holds an M.Div from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a Th.M. in Public Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Josh is married to McCaffity, and they have two children.

As spring fades to summer, ERLC intern Hannah Daniel joins Jeff Pickering, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, and Brooke Kramer to reflect on her experiences. The group discusses favorite projects, memorable meetings on Capitol Hill, and how the coronavirus pandemic changed everything.

Our internship program exists to prepare students and young professionals with a gospel-centered, kingdom-focused perspective on the issues of everyday life. We offer semester and year-long programs in both of our offices in Nashville and D.C. The ERLC is dedicated to seeing each generation engage the culture with the gospel of Christ. For more information and to apply, visit ERLC.com/internships.

This episode is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of Talking Points: Abortion by Dr Lizzie Ling & Vaughan Roberts

Kim Jong Un has not been seen in North Korea for weeks and rumors are churning with reports about his health and possible death. The 36-year-old supreme leader was notably missing during a national ceremony on April 15, the birthdate of his late grandfather and founder of the communist country, Kim Il Sung. Right now, the world has more questions than answers. Is Kim Jong Un alive? Who would succeed him in power? What does this mean for human rights and religious freedom in this persecuted country? Jeff Pickering and Travis Wussow welcome back Olivia Enos, a senior policy analyst in the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation, to share her insights to this strange situation.

This episode is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of Where is God in a Coronavirus World? by John Lennox

Olivia Enos serves as a senior policy analyst in the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation specializing in human rights and transnational criminal issues. Enos has published numerous papers on human trafficking in Asia, human rights in North Korea, and reforming the U.S. refugee program and writes a bi-monthly column in Forbes. Her commentary has appeared in The Washington Post, The National Interest, The Diplomat, and Real Clear World, as well as numerous scholarly publications. She has also appeared on Fox News, CNN, and the BBC. She earned a bachelor’s degree in government from Patrick Henry College in Virginia, and a master of arts in Asian studies at Georgetown University.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, changing industries and technology led to massive shifts in American life. And now, after stay-at-home orders end, we will likely emerge to a different world than the one we once knew. Jesus commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves and churches can help people fight against despair by meeting the needs of their communities. This is something Pastor Travis Lowe and his West Virginia church have experienced first hand. He joins Jeff Pickering to share their stories of facing uncertain times with the hope of the gospel.

This episode is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of Where is God in a Coronavirus World? by John Lennox

Pastor Travis Lowe was born and raised in the Appalachian mountains and is proud to call Bluefield, West Virginia home. He is married to the love of his life, Jessi and they have two children Graci and Dayne. Travis is the pastor of Crossroads Church and he also leads REBUILD.REVIVE.THRIVE., a local business owner think tank for the common good. He is a graduate of Maranatha Bible College and is currently completing a Masters of Ministry through Richmont Graduate University.

Former CIA analyst and White House National Security Council staffer Paul Miller joins Jeff Pickering and Travis Wussow to discuss how the early warnings of a pandemic like COVID19 were missed and what this global event means for the future of politics and international relations. Miller is now a professor at Georgetown University and a research fellow with ERLC. He writes frequently on government, military, and international issues.

In Part 1, we discuss Paul’s stunning article, How the Intelligence Community Predicted COVID-19, and why pandemics are ultimately a governance failure.

In Part 2, we discuss how Christians can cling to the hope of Christ during such difficult times, and why the communist government of China bears ultimate blame for the coronavirus pandemic.

This episode is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of Where is God in a Coronavirus World? by John Lennox

Paul D. Miller is a professor of the practice of international affairs at Georgetown University, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, and a research fellow with the ERLC. Before his career in academia, Dr. Miller served as Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan on the National Security Council staff; worked as an intelligence analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency; and served as a military intelligence officer in the U.S. Army. Miller holds a PhD in international relations and a BA in government from Georgetown University, and a master in public policy from Harvard University.

Former CIA analyst and White House National Security Council staffer Paul Miller joins Jeff Pickering and Travis Wussow to discuss how the early warnings of a pandemic like COVID19 were missed and what this global event means for the future of politics and international relations. Miller is now a professor at Georgetown University and a research fellow with ERLC. He writes frequently on government, military, and international issues.

In Part 1, we discuss Paul’s stunning article, How the Intelligence Community Predicted COVID-19, and why pandemics are ultimately a governance failure.

In Part 2, we discuss how Christians can cling to the hope of Christ during such difficult times, and why the communist government of China bears ultimate blame for the coronavirus pandemic.

This episode is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of Where is God in a Coronavirus World? by John Lennox

Paul D. Miller is a professor of the practice of international affairs at Georgetown University, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, and a research fellow with the ERLC. Before his career in academia, Dr. Miller served as Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan on the National Security Council staff; worked as an intelligence analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency; and served as a military intelligence officer in the U.S. Army. Miller holds a PhD in international relations and a BA in government from Georgetown University, and a master in public policy from Harvard University.

As the coronavirus pandemic rages across the world, Christians are on the front lines offering medical care to those in need. Jeff Pickering welcomes Edward Graham of Samaritan's Purse to the show talk about how their worldwide aid organization is mobilizing medical volunteers to join local hospitals and government authorities in Italy and New York City to respond to the pandemic.

This episode is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of Where is God in a Coronavirus World? by John Lennox

Edward Graham is Assistant to the Vice President of Programs and Government Relations at Samaritan's Purse. He is the youngest son of Franklin and Jane Graham, and the grandson of Billy Graham. Edward graduated from the United States Military Academy where he went on to serve 16 years in the US Army. After multiple combat deployments within Special Operations and serving in various leadership positions, he felt called by the Lord to return home and serve in the ministry starting in the winter of 2018. Edward and Kristy have been married for 14 years, and have one daughter and three sons. They are raising their four children in the mountains of North Carolina.

Going into this past weekend with the Senate in session to work on its response to the coronavirus pandemic and economic turmoil, the ERLC called for a two-year, no cap Universal Charitable Deduction (UCD) to encourage charitable giving. Jeff Pickering and Travis Wussow discuss why bold action from Washington is needed to propel American generosity during this crisis.

This episode is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of the Oxford Apologetics series. Learn about the titles in this bestselling series here.

The coronavirus has upended our lives and the uncertainty is unsettling. As the country confronts this new reality, Jeff Pickering visited United States Senator James Lankford in his Washington, D.C. office to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s ongoing response to this rapidly developing situation.

This episode is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of the Oxford Apologetics series. Learn about the titles in this bestselling series here.

James Lankford is a United States Senator from Oklahoma. After serving four years in the U.S. House of Representatives, James was elected to the U.S. Senate to complete an unexpired term in November 2014 and re-elected to a full six-year senate term in November 2016. Before Congress, James served students and families for more than 20 years in ministry, including 15 years as the Director of Student Ministry for the Baptist Convention of Oklahoma and Director of the Falls Creek Youth Camp. James lives in Oklahoma City with his wife Cindy. They have been married more than 27 years and have two daughters, Hannah and Jordan. He enjoys spending time with his family, working in his yard, and reading.

On Wednesday, March 4, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in June Medical Services vs. Russo, a significant case out of Louisiana dealing with medical standards and patient health as the legislature found that abortion clinics in their state neglect both. Jeff Pickering and Chelsea Patterson Sobolik bring highlights from the pre-trial press conference with the elected officials and pro-life adovcates are the center of the case. Tom Strode joins at the end to share his reporting from inside the Courtroom about which Justices asked questions and what it might tell us about their impending decision.

This episode is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of the Oxford Apologetics series. Learn about the titles in this bestselling series here.

Tom Strode serves as the bureau chief and Washington, D.C., correspondent for Baptist Press, the Southern Baptist Convention's news service. He is also a pastor at Covenant Community Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia.