WASHINGTON, D.C., June 17, 2015The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention announced today its plan to establish an international religious freedom office in the Middle East. They also announced the appointment of Travis Wussow as ERLC director of international justice and religious liberty.
The ERLCs first international office in the Middle East will enable the ERLC to develop a holistic strategy to advocate for religious liberty and social justice around the globe, including the following elements:
– Provide training resources for churches and organizations on issues related to justice and religious liberty.
– Create original content to raise awareness and champion advocacy through research and storytelling.
– Collaborate with Baptist Global Response for advocacy and awareness of human needs opportunities.
– Develop strategic relationships with like-minded organizations to advance advocacy efforts.
The establishment of our international religious freedom office in the Middle East is a historic moment for the ERLC, said ERLC President, Russell Moore. This strategic location is a strategic key to working for religious liberty with world leaders, especially in the Middle East. Travis Wussow has the convictional leadership and Gospel courage that leading this office requires, and his work will be of immeasurable value in the ERLC’s goal of advocating for soul freedom around the globe.”
David Platt, president of the SBCs International Mission Board, also commented on the ERLCs new religious freedom office in the Middle East.
“Surrounded by the global reality of religious persecution, and driven by our love for God, we must act, said Platt. In a land of religious liberty, we have a biblical responsibility to stand up and speak out on their behalf. I am thankful that the ERLC will represent Southern Baptists on issues related to international justice and religious liberty.”
Prior to his appointment as director of international justice and religious liberty, Wussow served as an ERLC legal consultant and as an executive pastor and the general counsel for the Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, Texas. Wussow received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from The University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law.
Im honored to have the opportunity to serve the ERLC and to extend the ERLCs capacity to confront international religious liberty and international justice issues, said Wussow. Every day around the world, religious minorities face persecution and millions of people are held in slavery. We look forward to advocating on their behalf.
The Southern Baptist Convention is Americas largest Protestant denomination with more than 15.8 million members in over 46,000 churches nationwide. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is the SBCs ethics, religious liberty and public policy agency with offices in Nashville, Tenn., and Washington, D.C.
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