NASHVILLE (BP) — The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) convened a diverse group of leaders from various Southern Baptist fellowships in Washington, D.C., for crucial discussions with members of Congress on Wednesday (May 7).
Topics discussed with elected officials included the dignity of all human life, which encompassed the ERLC’s ongoing efforts to advocate for the defunding of Planned Parenthood and concerns SBC fellowship leaders have regarding the nation’s current immigration systems.
“At the heart of these meetings was our unwavering commitment to the dignity of all human life and our continued advocacy for defunding Planned Parenthood — an issue that remains central to our mission,” ERLC President Brent Leatherwood told Baptist Press.
Human Dignity is one of the ERLC’s four areas of focus, alongside life, religious liberty and marriage and family.
“Additionally, we had constructive conversations with lawmakers about the ways some of our churches, many of which were represented by these fellowships, have been affected by the ambiguity surrounding some of our nation’s immigration laws,” Leatherwood continued.
“We shared the (Southern Baptist Convention) SBC’s long-established view that critical border security and immigration reforms can be accomplished together. As the ERLC fulfills its ministry assignment given by the churches of our convention, we will continue to serve on the front lines where policy and culture intersect, while being a champion for policies that uphold life, religious liberty, marriage and family and human dignity — ensuring that Southern Baptists have a strong voice in the halls of government.
“I am grateful for the leaders who joined us in this important effort, and I look forward to continuing this work in the days ahead.”
The group of ethnic leaders and ERLC staff met with congressional offices from each of the leaders’ states, which included California, Virginia, Texas and Florida. The group met with House offices from all four states and Senate offices from Texas and Florida.
In addition to expressing their desire for Planned Parenthood to be defunded, the ethnic leaders also discussed their concerns regarding immigration, asking for more clarity regarding enforcement and describing how the nation’s current system impacts their ability to do gospel ministry in their context.
The gathering served as a way for the ERLC to continue strengthening church engagement, as the ethnic fellowships represent thousands of the convention’s churches.
Among the SBC fellowships represented was the National Hispanic Baptist Network, led by Executive Director Bruno Molina.
“It was an honor to represent the National Hispanic Baptist Network and work with Brent Leatherwood, his staff and other ethnic leaders,” Molina said.
“We met with congressional leaders and were able to discuss our concerns related to immigration policy, advocating for reforms that provide greater clarity, treat everyone with dignity, and protect our ability to share the gospel with the people the Lord has placed in our communities.
“This experience instilled in all of the participants a greater appreciation for the ERLC’s diligent work in promoting our Southern Baptist biblical values in the public square.”
Leatherwood and other ERLC staff members had additional meetings with Brett Guthrie, chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, related to defunding Planned Parenthood as well as with domestic policy staff in the White House concerning Southern Baptists’ moral and ethical concerns with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The Trump administration is expected to issue policy recommendations in the coming weeks on IVF at the directive of an executive order.
Defunding Planned Parenthood is the ERLC’s highest current priority, as Congress is going through a budget reconciliation process which may allow such changes in federal funding to occur more easily.
The ERLC launched a campaign to defund Planned Parenthood in February which has been signed by more than 25,000 Southern Baptists and other pro-lifers. The budget reconciliation process is expected to last into the summer months.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Timothy Cockes is news editor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.)
