The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), in consultation with the International Mission Board (IMB), will develop “strategic relationships” to mobilize churches for defending religious liberty and advocating social justice across the world. The announcement was made during the ERLC report at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio, on June 17.
ERLC will do this through an international religious freedom office in the Middle East, which will:
- 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.
Travis Wussow will serve as ERLC’s director of international justice and religious liberty and oversee the new office.
Extending advocacy
Wussow most recently served as an ERLC legal consultant and as an executive pastor and the general counsel for Austin Stone Community Church, Austin, Texas.
He received a bachelor of business administration degree in finance from the University of Texas at Austin and a doctor of jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the ERLC and to extend the ERLC’s capacity to confront international religious liberty and international justice issues,” Wussow said.
“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.”
IMB President David Platt said, “Surrounded by the global reality of religious persecution and driven by our love for God, we must act. In a land of religious liberty, we have a biblical responsibility to stand up and speak out on their behalf.”
(ERLC)
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