Letter from Brian Hobbs
Thank you for visiting the Ethics & Religious Liberty Committee (ERLC) home page. In these challenges times within the culture, how can Christians make an impact with the Gospel?
Many churches in Oklahoma have established an ERLC committee or contact within their congregation, to help make them aware of critical moral and ethical issues that affect Christian life.
At the state level, Oklahoma’s ERLC Committee, which consists of committee members elected by Oklahoma Baptists annual meeting messengers and select Oklahoma Baptists staff, exists to alert and serve as a resource for Oklahoma’s Southern Baptist Churches and Associations regarding moral and ethical issues that affect families, churches, communities and the nation.
We sincerely hope this web page offers resources to your church that are edifying and useful. We would love to serve with you and stand ready to assist your church.
Sincerely in Christ
Brian Hobbs
Editor, Baptist Messenger
ERLC Committee Liaison for Oklahoma Baptists
Contact Your Legislator
Gather phone numbers, email addresses and other information about Oklahoma legislators on the Web at http://www.oklegislature.gov/. A directory of Representatives and Senators from any legislator’s office is available at the capital.
CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR
If Internet access is unavailable, call:
The House switchboard at:
(405) 521-2711or (800) 522-8502
The Senate switchboard at: (405) 524-0126
Should you write, fax or email a Representative or Senator:
(Your legislator’s name)
Oklahoma State Senate or House
State Capitol Building
2300 North Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
In order to be effective in influencing legislation, the right people must be contacted in the right way.
Always be polite and identify:
- who you are
- where you live
- your address
- your phone number
Do this for every form of communication you use – a call, fax or email without this information will be ignored by most legislators. Never cover more than one bill at a time, and be brief, but polite. You may contact a legislature by phone, fax, email or mail, but it is best to use three methods of communication. By contacting a legislator and key people, (such as committee chairs and members and conferees) a powerful message is sent that a certain bill or issue is important to Oklahomans. Remember, a non-voter or person who lives outside the legislator’s district carries less weight than a voter who lives in the district, but all communication is important. If the line is busy… do not give up.
Featured Article
PRAY. VOTE. PRAY.
You may have heard the slogan “Pray, Vote, Pray.” That is an excellent reminder for voters of faith living in America.
Foster Care Grants
Through the generous giving of Oklahoma Baptist churches, we are able to offer grants for foster care ministry in our state, showing the compassionate love of Got to children and families in need.
Rose Day
Each year, hundreds gather at the Capitol at the beginning of the new legislative session to promote and support the lives of unborn babies by meeting with their state senators and representatives and presenting them red roses, which represent the sanctity of the unborn.
Opposing Marijuana Legalization
Even as Oklahoma Baptists continue to provide ministry for those facing substance addictions, we have spoken out strongly against the legalization of recreational marijuana, warning the drugs leave “neighborhoods and schools vulnerable for exploitation.”
Sanctity of Life Sunday
As Southern Baptists, we have strongly held beliefs, grounded in Scripture, regarding the sanctity and value of all human life. We believe every person’s life, from conception to natural death, is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27).
Ethical and Theological Considerations
Scripture clearly speaks to the dignity and value of every human being, no matter their location or capacities (Genesis 1:26-28, Exodus 20:13, Joshua 20:3-6, Psalm 139:13, Proverbs 6:16-17, Luke 1:41). This value is not dependent on what one does or contributes but simply on the fact that they are made by God as biological human beings on whom God bestows value.
ERLC Podcasts
Other News:
Senate Nixes Religious Liberty Amendments, Approves Same-Sex Marriage
With 12 Republicans joining all Democrats present, the Senate voted 61-36 for the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) after defeating three GOP-offered amendments intended to heighten safeguards for religious liberty. By passing the bill, senators voted to repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and to require federal and state recognition of any same-sex marriage considered legal in the jurisdiction where it took place… Read More
2023-2024 Committee Members
Mrs. Saundra Burchill
Mrs. Emberly Kincer
Pastor Kevin Moss
Pastor Tristan Martin
Pastor Jim Paslay
Pastor Luke Sills
Pastor Jeremy Smith
Pastor Ryan Smith
Mrs. Mitzi Woodson
ERLC Liaison
Mr. Brian Hobbs
Oklahoma City, OK
OKC, Quail Springs
Ex Officio Board Members
Dr. Todd Fisher
Executive Director-Treasurer
Oklahoma Baptists
Michael Butler
President, Oklahoma Baptists
Chickasha, First