DALLAS (BP) — Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) President Brent Leatherwood opened his report on Wednesday morning (June 11) to messengers of the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) speaking about “a moment of choosing.”

“We stand at a moment of choosing in our nation, fellow Southern Baptists,” Leatherwood said during his fourth annual meeting report as ERLC President.

“It’s a moment when the course taken will have reverberations or consequences that will ring down through the generations.”

The moment of choosing Leatherwood was referring to is the ongoing congressional budget reconciliation process which could potentially defund Planned Parenthood, a long-held Southern Baptist priority.

“This is a moment when the lives of so many, born and pre-born alike, will be forever changed because of this pending decision before our nation. These are the very ideas that our federal lawmakers are wrestling with even at this very hour while we are gathered here.

“For the last 55 years, Planned Parenthood has received federal funding and has chosen to wage war on our society’s pre-born children for those five decades. They have corrupted a nation founded on a declaration of life and turned it into a culture that prizes death. They have done so fueled by hundreds of millions of your tax dollars each year.

“For more than 40 years, it has been Southern Baptists who have objected and fought this wicked scheme. Countless pastors, ministers and faithful laymen and women have preached, marched, shared and served to end this practice and save lives.”

Leatherwood explained this moment of decision on defunding Planned Parenthood is a long-awaiting moment for Southern Baptists, and the ERLC has walked alongside thousands of Southern Baptists in these years of pro-life advocacy.

“This has required patience, fortitude and strength as we have pleaded with culture to recognize the inherent dignity of children and took up the cause in capitols and courtrooms,” he said.

“Our prayers and efforts finally bore fruit with the end of Roe v. Wade and the numerous states that have moved to outlaw abortion and pass pro-family reforms. Now the opportunity is at hand for the next great pro-life achievement, stopping Planned Parenthood.

“In 40 years of SBC advocacy in this area, it is your ERLC that has been carrying the light on the hill for this righteous cause. We have worked to amplify our efforts in this area, in the spirit of Baptist cooperation, by enlisting local pastors from across the country to come with us as we meet with key leaders in Washington.”

After speaking about Planned Parenthood, Leatherwood acknowledged the upcoming discussion on a motion to abolish the ERLC as an entity.

He said that ultimately, the ERLC belongs to the convention and is fueled by the Cooperative Program (CP).

“But in this room, I must acknowledge that you also have a defunding question that has been presented to you,” Leatherwood said.

“I realize that even as your smallest institution, we attract outsized attention and scrutiny. Over the last year I have felt this weight while guiding this institution, but this has only deepened my appreciation that this is not my entity, but yours.

“The Cooperative Program is responsible for over 98% of the ERLC’s funding … and the remaining 1.5% is through state conventions, churches and individual Southern Baptist contributors. As a result, we are closer to the churches now than we’ve ever been. We champion the CP because we are powered by the CP.”

Leatherwood closed by speaking on the privilege he has of leading the ERLC, and asked the convention to continue supporting its historic work. 

“I will be the first to admit, we are not perfect,” Leatherwood said. “But as challenging as this space of the public square is, I consider it a mighty privilege to go into it as a messenger from this convention.

“I just want to offer my personal gratitude for the grace and prayers you have provided our team as we contend the most complex and thorny matters plaguing our nation. Despite what some claim, I do not believe you are seeking an end to this ministry and our advocacy. I believe you clearly see the fruit of these efforts and the heart behind them. We will strive to continue the good work you stirred up over 100 years ago. Let it continue on for 100 more.”

In a vote later in the day, messengers declined a motion to abolish the ERLC with a vote of 56.89% to 42.84%.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Timothy Cockes is news editor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.)