Dr. Evan Lenow Elected to Serve as ERLC President.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 13, 2026—Dr. Evan Lenow has been unanimously elected to fill the role as the next president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention by the organization’s board of trustees.
The ERLC board of trustees voted to appoint Lenow during a special called meeting on April 13 in Nashville, Tennessee. Lenow, age 47, is coming to the ERLC after serving as the director of the Institute for Christian Leadership, director of Church and Minister Relations, and chair of the Christian Studies Department for Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi.
“Dr. Lenow is a proven, trusted servant to Southern Baptists, and he has a demonstrated love for helping churches live out the Great Commission fully in their contexts,” said Scott Foshie, chairman of the ERLC board of trustees. “His biblically rooted ethics resources are trusted by our seminaries, and many local churches have benefitted from his faithful preaching and helpful consultations. We are overjoyed that he has answered God’s call to use his keen intellect and shepherd’s heart to lead the ERLC.”
The ERLC trustee presidential search committee, chaired by Dr. Mitch Kimbrell of Williston, Vermont, recommended Lenow to the full board after a seven-month search process. He was announced as the presidential candidate on March 30. As the next ERLC president, Lenow will succeed Dr. Gary Hollingsworth, who has served as interim president since October 2025.
“I am humbled that the board of trustees elected me as the next president of the ERLC,” Lenow stated. “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.”
Before joining Mississippi College, 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. 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).
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.
Southern Baptist seminary presidents, pastors, and leaders have offered their congratulations to Lenow, voicing strong support as he assumes this new role of service to Southern Baptists.
“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. Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern 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. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, The Southern 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. James “Jamie” K. Dew, president, New Orleans 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. Jason K. Allen, president, Midwestern Baptist Theological 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. Adam P. Groza, president, Gateway Seminary
“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. Shawn Parker, executive director-treasurer, Mississippi Baptist Convention
“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. W. Madison Grace II, provost and vice president for academic administration, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“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.” Dr. Nathan Lino, pastor of First Baptist Church in Forney, Texas.
Lenow will assume his full-time role on June 1, while Hollingsworth will continue serving as the ERLC’s interim president until that transition occurs.