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 shares what he learned from working alongside pastors, state convention leaders, and policymakers to advocate for the priorities and convictions Southern Baptists care deeply about regarding issues in the public square. 

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 save lives. On May 8, North Carolina Baptists joined the ERLC in a milestone dedication by placing the Psalm 139 Project's 100th ultrasound machine at Mercy House Pregnancy Resource Center in Elizabethtown, North Carolina. 

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 in their own state, they're committed to building partnerships across the country and around the world for the sake of the gospel. The SBTC is committed to assisting churches in dealing with issues like protecting the sanctity of life, gender and sexuality, and more. Just last year, the SBTC was involved in the Supreme Court case Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton, which contested a Texas state law that required age verification to protect children from sexually explicit content. By God's grace, the Texas law was upheld in a six three ruling communicating that states have authority in such decisions.

On today's episode, Dr. Gary Hollingsworth, ERLC interim President, chats with Nathan Lorick about the opportunities and challenges they're facing in equipping Texas pastors to minister well in their communities. 

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 professionally. They’ll also discuss Dr. Lenow’s passion for building relationships across the convention and equipping churches to address complex, cultural issues from a biblical worldview.

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 Dr. Nathan Finn and Dan Darling. In light of this significant milestone in America’s history, they’ll discuss what healthy, Christian patriotism looks like and how to cultivate a steadfast, public witness in our current context. 

Dr. Nathan Finn serves as senior fellow at the ERLC and a professor of faith and culture and executive director of the Institute for Transformation Leadership at North Greenville University. He is also a bivocational teaching pastor at Taylors First Baptist Church. 

Dan Darling serves as a research fellow for the ERLC. He also serves as director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Darling is a bestselling author of several books, including "A Defense of Christian Patriotism" and his upcoming book to be released this May, "Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Life."

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 Canada, the country has formally recommended expanding medical assistance in dying to include mature minors. In the U.K., Parliament has advanced multiple bills that would legalize the practice. And just this past year, three U.S. states have moved to legalize physician-assisted suicide, bringing the total to 14 states (including D.C.) that have legalized the practice.

On today’s episode, you’ll hear from Katy Roberts, senior policy manager for the ERLC, as she speaks with ERLC Interim President Dr. Gary Hollingsworth, about the moral, ethical, and legislative concerns around physician assisted suicide.  Prior to joining the ERLC, Katy worked on Capitol Hill in both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, and previously worked in clinical healthcare—experience that informs her policy work today.

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

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 released a new resource, "Desiring Children: A Practical Guide to Addressing Assisted Reproductive Technologies in the Church". 

On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the ethical and moral considerations around assisted reproductive technologies and how church leaders can counsel couples on this issue with clarity, conviction, and compassion. Jason and Evan also share several scenarios from the guide that reflect the kinds of questions pastors and ministry leaders are increasingly hearing from couples in their churches.

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

Chemical abortion, or what many refer to as the abortion pill is now the most common method of ending a pregnancy in the United States. Yet the legal landscape surrounding its approval, safety standards, and reporting requirements is riddled with gaps, inconsistencies, and misconceptions. The medical realities behind how these drugs work—and what happens when they don’t—are rarely discussed honestly, leading many women down a dangerous road that can result in life-threatening issues.

On this episode of the ERLC Podcast, Rachel Wiles, deputy chief of staff at the ERLC and director of the Psalm 139 Project, talks with Dr. Donna Harrison, director of research for the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Erica O’Connell, legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom’s Center for Public Policy. 

They’ll help Southern Baptists better understand what’s at stake surrounding chemical abortion. Together, they’ll unpack the safety concerns tied to abortion pills, the myths that continue to circulate, and the ways coercion quietly shapes far too many women’s decisions about terminating life in the womb. They’all also discuss the legal landscape since Roe v. Wade was overturned and how the church can care for women, defend the vulnerable, and pursue a future where every life is protected and cherished. 

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

In this episode of the ERLC Podcast, Interim President Dr. Gary Hollingsworth sits down with Dr. Fred Luter, senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, to discuss racial reconciliation in the life of the church. Together, they reflect on the power of the gospel to break down dividing walls, share encouraging stories of progress within the SBC, and offer practical guidance for pastors seeking to lead their congregations toward greater unity. As Southern Baptists observe Racial Reconciliation Sunday, this conversation reminds us that a free and faithful church should reflect the diverse, redeemed multitude we will one day worship alongside in heaven.

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

Southern Baptists have had a longstanding commitment to advocating for the protection of preborn lives and opposing abortion in every form. This is rooted in the biblical revelation that all people are created in God's image and have inherent value. During a recent pro-life advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., Southern Baptist college students, leaders, and pastors joined us for the 2026 March for Life and advocated alongside us on Capitol Hill. 

On this episode, you'll hear from two individuals involved in that trip, Dr. Dub Oliver, president of Union University, and Jason Marlin, lead pastor of First Baptist Church in Kirksville, Missouri, and an ERLC trustee. Both men reflect on their recent experience at the 53rd annual March for Life and share about the importance of educating and equipping the next generation to engage faithfully on pro-life issues. 

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.