Presidential Search
Meet President Dr. Evan Lenow
Dr. Evan Lenow has been unanimously elected to fill the role as the next president of the ERLC by the organization’s board of trustees.
Previously on March 30, the ERLC’s presidential search committee announced Dr. Evan Lenow as the candidate to serve as the entity’s next president. Lenow’s candidacy follows a seven-month search led by the search committee, composed of seven trustees approved by the full board.
Dr. Evan Lenow
Dr. Evan Lenow is the president of The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He currently serves as associate professor and chair of Christian Studies as well as director of the Institute for Christian Leadership at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. He also directs the Clinton Extension of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary on the Mississippi College campus. He will begin his role at the ERLC on June 1.
Before joining Mississippi College, Dr. Lenow served at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where he was associate professor of ethics, director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement, director of the Center for Biblical Stewardship, and held the Bobby L. and Janis Eklund Chair of Stewardship.
Since 2012, he has served as a research fellow in Christian Ethics for the ERLC. Dr. Lenow is the author of “Ethics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship” (co-authored with Mark D. Liederbach, 2021), “Biblically Sound: Embracing Doctrine for Life” (2014), and “Biblically Correct: Engaging Culture with Truth” (2013).
Dr. Lenow holds a Ph.D. in Theological Studies with a concentration in Christian Ethics from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), an M.Div. in Advanced Biblical Studies from SEBTS and a bachelor’s in communication from Mississippi College.
He is married to his wife, Melanie, and they have four children.
A Word from Dr. Lenow
“I am humbled that the board of trustees elected me as the next president of the ERLC.
The Lord has worked through my academic and professional life to prepare me for the work entrusted to this very important entity by Southern Baptists. I believe the best days are ahead for the ERLC as our team comes alongside SBC churches and leaders to equip them to address the essential ethical and moral questions of our day with confidence and biblical fidelity.” – Dr. Evan Lenow
Affirmation for Dr. Lenow
Dr. Daniel L. Akin
President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Evan Lenow is a distinguished graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and an outstanding ethicist. I have known him for many years and have been blessed and encouraged by his commitments to biblical truth, theological fidelity and moral clarity. I believe he will serve Southern Baptists well, and he will have my prayers and support as he takes on this important assignment.”
Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr.
President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Evan Lenow is a man of substance and conviction and long Southern Baptist pedigree who will serve well in this strategic leadership role in the SBC. Let’s pray for him. I look forward to serving with him in a new day for the ERLC.”
Dr. James “Jamie” K. Dew
President, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
“I first met Evan in August of 2000 at Southeastern Seminary where we studied for our M.Div. and our Ph.D. together—me in philosophy and him in ethics. He has excellent qualifications as an ethicist and has always been a helpful resource for Southern Baptists in thinking about the moral issues of our day. He has also been a valuable partner to us at NOBTS in his role at Mississippi College where he also teaches for us at our extension center. I am grateful for his training and look forward to serving alongside him in his new role.”
Dr. Jason K. Allen
President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“I rejoice with the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention in the election of Dr. Evan Lenow as their new president. I know Dr. Lenow to be a man of Southern Baptist conviction and commitments, and as one who is determined to serve Southern Baptist churches. May the Lord strengthen Dr. Lenow for the leadership task before him, and may the Lord use him to renew the mission and ministry of the ERLC.”
Dr. Adam P. Groza
President, Gateway Seminary
“I rejoice in the nomination of Evan Lenow. He’s a humble and convictional leader who has stood consistently, courageously, and unapologetically for the biblical truth of the BF&M 2000; truth which unites and energizes our collective work to advance the gospel. This is a wonderful day for Southern Baptists.”
Dr. Shawn Parker
Executive Director-Treasurer, Mississippi Baptist Convention
“Dr. Evan Lenow has been an outstanding leader for Mississippi College over the last years. He’s a true scholar and genuine friend to the local church. He understands grassroots Southern Baptists and has the ability to clearly communicate biblical convictions on cultural issues that concern us. I’m thankful for the search committee’s recognition of his leadership potential, and I’m confident he will serve Southern Baptists with excellence.
Dr. Madison Grace
Provost, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Having known and worked with Dr. Evan Lenow for many years, the ERLC has a candidate who is a dedicated Southern Baptist. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated growth as a leader, adapting effectively to both challenging and stable circumstances. His ability to connect and unite pastors and churches, as exemplified by his recent work at Mississippi College, is an invaluable asset that will undoubtedly benefit the ERLC and Southern Baptists.”
Dr. Nathan Lino
Pastor, First Baptist Church in Forney, Texas
“Nicole and I are very excited about Dr. Lenow’s nomination as the next ERLC president. We have known Evan and Melanie for over 25 years. They have modeled how to build a family on the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ in today’s culture. They love and have a very high view of the local church and pastors. As a leader, Dr. Lenow has great integrity and is brilliant, full of grace and truth, and a man of conviction.”
Media Kit
The ERLC regularly engages with national and local media, shaping public policy discussions and helping reporters understand a biblical perspective on cultural issues. For interviews, contact Press Secretary Elizabeth Bristow, [email protected].
Bio
ERLC presidential search committee announces Dr. Evan Lenow as the candidate to serve as ERLC president
High Resolution Photos
Dr. Evan Lenow has been announced by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s presidential search committee as the candidate to serve as the entity’s next president.
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The ERLC exists to assist your church by helping you understand the moral demands of the gospel, apply Christian principles to moral and social problems and questions of public policy, and to promote religious liberty in cooperation with churches and other Southern Baptist entities.
Search Committee
At a special called meeting of the trustees on Aug. 14, Scott Foshie, chairman of the ERLC board of trustees, nominated the following trustees to serve on the presidential search committee.
Words of Support for Dr. Lenow’s Candidacy
Dr. Mitch Kimbrell
Chair, ERLC Board of Trustees Presidential Search Committee
“Evan Lenow is the product of Southern Baptists, having grown up in a flagship church of our Convention, Bellevue Baptist, under the leadership of one of our greatest pastors, Adrian Rogers. He has repeatedly demonstrated his ability and desire to equip Southern Baptists from the scriptures and the Baptist Faith and Message. He co-wrote the ethics textbook used at our seminaries and has served, without fanfare, large and small Southern Baptist churches as they seek to faithfully stand on the scriptures amid ethical and cultural tumult.”
Dr. Gary Hollingsworth
Interim President, ERLC
“We are excited to hear of the unanimous affirmation of the ERLC presidential search committee for Dr. Evan Lenow’s candidacy to become the next ERLC president. He brings a wealth of experience and passion to this important role. He will represent Southern Baptists well in both the pulpit and the public square.”
Dr. Richard Land
President Emeritus, ERLC
“I could not be more pleased with the nomination of Dr. Evan Lenow as the next president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. I cannot think of anyone more qualified and prepared by background, training, experience, and conviction to lead the ERLC in assisting Southern Baptists and other faithful Christians in being the gospel ‘salt and light’ in America that our Heavenly Father has called us all to be.”
Dr. Adam Groza
President, Gateway Seminary
“I rejoice in the nomination of Evan Lenow. He’s a humble and convictional leader who has stood consistently, courageously, and unapologetically for the biblical truth of the BF&M 2000; truth which unites and energizes our collective work to advance the gospel. This is a wonderful day for Southern Baptists.”
Dr. Stephen Rummage
Executive Director-Treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention
“Having known Evan Lenow since he was a seminary student, I have rejoiced to watch him serve the Lord faithfully across the years. Dr. Lenow is convictionally conservative and engaged with the challenges facing our culture. I believe he will lead the ERLC to serve our Southern Baptist pastors and churches with grace and clarity.”
Dr. Madison Grace
Provost, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Having known and worked with Dr. Evan Lenow for many years, the ERLC has a candidate who is a dedicated Southern Baptist. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated growth as a leader, adapting effectively to both challenging and stable circumstances. His ability to connect and unite pastors and churches, as exemplified by his recent work at Mississippi College, is an invaluable asset that will undoubtedly benefit the ERLC and Southern Baptists.”