WASHINGTON (BP) – U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson heard Southern Baptist priorities Feb. 5 as Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) President Brent Leatherwood met with the congressional leader in Washington.
“Shared priorities” including protecting life, defending religious liberty and supporting God’s design for marriage and family, were among topics discussed, Leatherwood told Baptist Press, as well as the contemporary dynamics of governmental leadership.
“Our conversation also centered on how the Lord is using him in such a critical role and at such a pivotal time for our country,” Leatherwood said. “There are a number of competing challenges in our nation’s Capitol right now, and Southern Baptists should be encouraged that a man who lives by and shares their principles is leading the U.S. House of Representatives.”
Most recently in legislation ERLC endorsed, the House passed on Jan. 23 the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.” But the Senate blocked the bill that would have protected babies born alive in abortion procedures.
Johnson, who served for eight years as an ERLC trustee during the term of former ERLC President Richard Land (1988-2013), is a fellow Southern Baptist and member of Cypress Baptist Church in Benton, La.
He said prayer is an active priority among believers serving on the Hill, greeting Leatherwood and ERLC team members in the speaker’s conference room.
“There’s a remnant of believers that work here in Congress. We’re on our knees constantly,” Johnson said.” We meet right here in the speaker’s conference room once a week and seek the Lord’s guidance and answers.”
Leatherwood asked how Southern Baptists might support congressional members in prayer.
“The prayer request is pretty simple. We need wisdom, discernment and stamina to do the thing that God’s called us to do,” Johnson said. “And to have this great moment of opportunity for the country, we take it very seriously. We want to do well by that.”
In a federal public policy agenda released Jan. 16, ERLC listed 42 specific items under the four categories discussed with Johnson: protecting life, safeguarding religious liberty, bolstering marriage and families and upholding human dignity.
ERLC’s full agenda is available here.
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