Center for Baptist Leadership
by Center for Baptist Leadership
The Center for Baptist Leadership podcast aims to cultivate courageous and biblical Baptist leadership for 21st-century America. Our mission is to revitalize the Southern Baptist Convention from within, defend it from those who seek its destruction, and serve as a better Baptist voice in the public square. Learn more at www.centerforbaptistleadership.org.
Episodes
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Blue Wave Reality Check: 5 Lessons Republicans Must Learn NOW after the 2026 Midterms
William Wolfe reflects on the 2026 midterm elections and shares five lessons he believes Republicans and evangelical Christians should take from the results. He discusses the Iran war, congressional inaction, immigration enforcement, affordability and opportunity, and candidate recruitment…
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SBC President Willy Rice on Midterms & Christian Voting: Not Right vs Left, but Right vs Wrong
Do Christians have a moral obligation to vote? SBC President Willy Rice sits down with William Wolfe to discuss the U.S. midterm elections. Christians have a duty to speak out and stand up for biblical issues. It's not about right vs. left, it's about right vs. wrong. Abortion, marriage, gender,...
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Virginia Pastors Take Bold Stand for Life & Marriage, Call on Christians to Reject Amendments 1 & 2
In this episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe speaks with Virginia pastor Ben Purves and Ryan Helfenbein of Liberty University’s Standing for Freedom Center about Virginia’s proposed constitutional amendments concerning abortion and marriage. William, Ben, and Ryan...
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Truth & Transparency in An Age of Apostasy: SBC President Willy Rice Shares Bold Conservative Agenda in First Major Address
SBC President Willie Rice’s first major address to the Executive Committee set out a vision for renewal, doctrinal clarity, greater transparency, and a renewed commitment to gospel mission. William Wolfe and Jon Whitehead discuss what that vision could mean for the Southern Baptist Convention—and...
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We Do Win Down Here: Why the Church Must Reject Loser Theology (ft. Michael Clary)
Pastor Michael Clary joins William Wolfe on the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast to unpack Loser Theology—why Christians are told to "lose" and why we need high-agency Christianity instead. They hit Russell Moore, Tim Keller, persecution, SBC "managed decline," and what courageous Baptist...
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Why Christians Should Reject IVF: The Pro-Life Case Against Test-Tube Babies with Dr. Josh Holler
Is IVF truly pro-life? Pastor and author Dr. Josh Holler joins William Wolfe on the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast to unpack his book “Misconceiving IVF”—explaining how IVF works, why it violates biblical ethics, and what hopeful, Christ-centered alternatives Christians should pursue...
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Offensive Christianity & Strong Men: Countering Feminism in the Church & Nation with Chase Davis
Pastor and author Chase Davis joins us to discuss his new book, "Offensive Christianity: Restoring the Strength of Men in a Feminized Age." J. Chase Davis (M.Div, Th.M, Denver Seminary) is Lead Pastor of Ministry of The Well Church in Boulder, Colorado. He is the author of Offensive Christianity:...
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SBC Reformers Win Two Major Votes: 2026 Annual Meeting Recap (ft. Jon Whitehead)
SBC Reformers Just Scored Their Biggest Win in Decades. Here’s What It Really Means. On the heels of the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Executive Director William Wolfe and attorney Jon Whitehead break down two massive victories for conservative reformers: Willie Rice elected SBC...
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Go, Vote, Win: Preview of SBC Annual Meeting Top Issues
The 2026 Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Florida is here—and this episode is your go, vote, win battle plan. Executive Director William Wolfe sits down with Jon Whitehead and Sam Webb to break down the most consequential decisions messengers will make this year: • Willie Rice vs. Josh...
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SBC Conservatives on the Verge of MAJOR Win Against Woke Takeover, with Jon Harris & Megan Basham
Megan Basham and Jon Harris join to preview the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting and discuss how Orlando is shaping up to be a major turning point in stopping the last ten years of a woke drift and liberal decline –––––– Follow Center for Baptist Leadership across Social Media: X / Twitter –...
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No More Women Pastors: Dr. Mohler's Truth & Unity Amendment and the Vindication of Mike Law
Is the Southern Baptist Convention about to split over women pastors? In this episode, William Wolfe sits down with Sam Webb and Jon Whitehead to unpack the fight over the pastorate, Dr. Al Mohler’s Truth & Unity Amendment, and the vindication of Mike Law heading into Orlando. From Saddleback to...
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Are Reformers About to Win Big in the SBC?
Is a conservative reform wave about to flip the Southern Baptist Convention? In this episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership Podcast, William Wolfe sits down with pastor and writer Michael Clary to unpack his now-famous “taxonomy” of SBC factions—Platform, Loyalists, Reformers, Normies, and...
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$80 Million in Damages: NAMB Church Trial Explained
A local Florida SBC church just held a two‑day “church trial” over the long-running conflict between Will McRaney and the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and its president Kevin Ezell—and assessed $80 million in damages. Attorney Jon Whitehead walks through the backstory, the failed civil...
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Rising Tide of Egalitarianism Will Sink the SBC
The rising tide of egalitarianism will sink the SBC unless messengers act in Orlando! Highlight clip from episode seven of SBC's Weekly Roundup: Coundown to Orlando featuring Jon Whitehead. –––––– Follow Center for Baptist Leadership across Social Media: X / Twitter –...
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SBC Weekly Roundup: Countdown to Orlando | Ep.7
In this special "SBC Weekly Roundup" edition of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe and Jon Whitehead break down seismic news in Southern Baptist life including the ERLC’s new president Evan Lenoe, trustee failures and need for reform, as well as post–Cooperative Program “secret” strategy meetings and...
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SBC Weekly Roundup: Countdown to Orlando | Ep.6
SBC Weekly Roundup: Countdown to Orlando | Ep.6 In this special "SBC Weekly Roundup" edition of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe and Jon Whitehead break down a seismic week in Southern Baptist life—new seminary and ERLC presidents, the future of Baptist politics, and a behind-the-scenes immigration...
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SBC Weekly Roundup: Countdown to Orlando | Ep.5
In this special "SBC Weekly Roundup" edition of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe and Jon Whitehead are joined by David Schrock, Michael Clary, and Rhett Burns to discuss Christ Over All's monthly focus on "Can the Center Hold? The Southern Baptist Convention in the 21st Century." Explore the theme:...
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SBC Weekly Roundup: Countdown to Orlando | Ep.4
In this special "SBC Weekly Roundup" edition of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe and Jon Whitehead analyze the SBC presidential race between Willy Rice and Josh Powell, paying particular attention to Willy's latest appearance on "The Baptist Review" podcast. They discuss the decline in Cooperative...
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SBC Weekly Roundup, Countdown to Orlando | Ep.3
In this special "SBC Weekly Roundup" edition of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe and Jon Whitehead unpack breaking news within the Southern Baptist Convention, including the Executive Committee’s new $186M Cooperative Program budget and ongoing financial strain on the EC. They discuss the...
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SBC Weekly Roundup: Countdown to Orlando | Ep.2
In this special "SBC Weekly Roundup" edition of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe and Jon Whitehead dive deep into breaking news about a quiet gathering of roughly 30 of the SBC’s largest Cooperative Program–giving churches and what it may signal about a post–Cooperative Program future for Southern...
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SBC Weekly Roundup: Countdown to Orlando | Ep.1
In this week's "SBC Weekly Roundup" from CBL, William Wolfe and Jon Whitehead break down the SBC presidential race between Willie Rice and Josh Powell, the growing trust crisis at the ERLC, and serious questions about the future of the Cooperative Program. They examine past statements, current...
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Shocking: Anti-ICE Mob Storms Baptist Church
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe reacts to the shocking incident where an Anti-ICE Mob stormed into a Baptist Church disrupting worship and raising serious concerns about First Amendment rights. Joined by legal experts Will Chamberlain and Jon...
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"God Bless ICE" — Minnesota Pastor's Bold Prayer After Minneapolis Shooting
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Joe Rigney, Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrews College and Author of Leadership and Emotional Sabotage, and Andy Naselli, Professor of Systemic Theology at Bethlehem College and Pastor of Christ the...
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"America will always be a Christian Nation" - JD Vance, AmFest, and the Future of the Right
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Chase Davis, Lead Pastor of The Well Church, to discuss Christian identity in America, revelations from JD Vance's America Fest speech, and why evangelical leadership cannot compromise on critical race...
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Pastor Defends ICE Raids and Deportations: "It's Biblical Justice"
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Lewis Richerson, Lead Pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church, to unpack his recent interview with the New York Times on biblical justice and immigration. Pastor Lewis came to Woodlawn in May 2012. He…
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Woke & Weaponized: New Details Reveal SBC Abuse Investigation was Biased from the Beginning
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Megan Basham, Author of "Shepherd's for Sale" and Jon Whitehead, Attorney and former Trustee of the SBC's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, to unpack new and disturbing revelations about the SBC's...
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Baptists with Backbone in the Public Square (ft. Wolfe, Deevers, Davis, Money, & Colter)
Alongside SBC 2025 at CBL's "For the Faithful Majority" Conference, Dusty Deevers, Chase Davis, Brent Money, and Dr. Scott Colter sit down to discuss "Baptists with Backbone in the Public Square." Panelists emphasize Christ's sovereignty over all areas of life, including politics, and criticize…
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Working Across the Calvinist Divide for the Good of the Convention
Alongside SBC 2025 at CBL's "For the Faithful Majority" Conference, Dr. David Allen, Dr. Lewis Richerson, Mark Coppenger, Dr. Tom Ascol, and Sam Webb sit down to discuss how to work across the calvinist divide for the good of the SBC convention. –––––– Follow Center for Baptist Leadership across...
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Whether we DOGE or Die: Lifesaving Reforms for SBC (ft. Rice, Whitehead, Burns, Schrock, & Gentry)
Alongside the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting 2025 the Center for Baptist Leadership hosted the "For the Faithful Majority Conference," William Wolfe emphasized the importance of the SBC's strength and fidelity to the Bible. He highlighted the 40th anniversary of W.A. Criswell's...
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Silent Massacre: The Muslim Slaughter of Nigerian Christians with Judd Saul
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Judd Saul of Equipping the Persecuted about ongoing crisis in Nigeria where Muslims are slaughtering Christians. Judd Saul is the founder and executive director of Equipping The Persecuted, a nonprofit...
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SBC Roundup: Fighting Wokeness & Woman Pastors with Tom Buck
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Tom Buck, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Lindale, TX for an SBC Roundup on the fight against wokeness and women pastors. Tom Buck is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas. He...
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Charlie Kirk and the Cognitive Dissonance of the Christian Elites (ft. Michael Clary)
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Michael Clary, to discuss Charlie Kirk and the cognitive dissonance of the Christian elites. Michael Clary is the Lead Pastor of Christ the King Church in Cincinnati, OH, co-founder of King’s Domain...
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Egalitarian Word Games in the SBC: Fielder Church, Female “Shepherds,” and a Failure to Act by SBTC
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Marc Minter, to discuss how the SBC and SBTC are handling Fielder Church, which has female pastors renamed as "shepherds." Marc Minter has served as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Diana, in...
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Is Christian Revival Coming to America? What We Saw at Charlie Kirk's Memorial Service
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe, Dusty Deevers, Steve Gentry, and Nate Schlomann recount their experience attending TPUSA's Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. –––––– Follow Center for Baptist Leadership…
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The SBC's Turning Point (ft. Steve Deace)
"One of the most important talks I've ever given" - Steve Deace at CBL's "For the Faithful Majority" conference at SBC 2025. Steve Deace is the host of the “Steve Deace Show” and a columnist for Blaze News. On his show, he serves up principled conservatism daily, with a snarky twist. He is a...
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A Faith Under Siege: The True Story of Christian Persecution in Ukraine (ft. Colby Barrett)
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Colby Barrett, to discuss his new documentary, "A Faith Under Siege," exposing Russia's brutal crackdown on faith in occupied Ukraine Colby Barrett is an entrepreneur, filmmaker, and former U.S. Marine...
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Fired for His Faith: How the Transgender Movement Claimed Another Christian Victim (ft. Luke Ash)
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with bi-vocational Pastor, Luke Ash, to discuss his story and legal case after being fired for refusing to use trans pronouns at his job for the Baton Rouge Parish library. Luke in the News:...
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Battle for Biblical Counseling: Sufficiency of Scripture vs. Secular Therapeutic (ft. Nick Sevier)
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Nick Sevier, Founder of Biblical Counselors Society, to discuss the state of biblical counseling and soul care, the nefarious encroachment of secularism via so-called "trauma-informed" or...
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Will Obergefell be Overturned? (ft. Mathew Staver)
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Mathew Staver, Senior Pastor, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, to discuss if the Supreme Court Case which sanctioned same-sex marriages, Obergefell v. Hodges, will be overturned? Mat Staver…
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CBL Report: Leatherwood Leaves the ERLC
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe provides on update on Brent Leatherwood's resignation from the SBC's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. –––––– Follow Center for Baptist Leadership across Social Media: X / Twitter –...
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Conviction, Courage, and Christ: The Life and Legacy of John MacArthur (ft. Grant Castleberry)
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Grant Castleberry, Senior Pastor of The King's Chapel, to share personal stories about John MacArthur, his life, and legacy. Grant Castleberry is the senior pastor of The King’s Chapel, Raleigh, NC and…
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Red State Madness: Mayor Rob Burns Politically Punished for Being an Outspoken Christian Leader
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Robert Burns, Mayor of Monroe in North Carolina, to discuss political persecution for being an outspoken Christian leader. Robert Burns is the Mayor of Monroe, North Carolina, elected in November 2023...
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Pastor, Congressman, Diplomat: IRF Amb. Designee Mark Walker on the Global Fight for Religious Freedom
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Ambassador Designee for International Religious Freedom at the State Department, former Congressman and Pastor, Mark Walker, to discuss the global fight for religious freedom, working with President…
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The Four Groups in the SBC and Every Other Denomination (ft. Michael Clary)
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Pastor Michael Clary to discuss the four groups within the SBC: the Platform, which controls the agenda; the Reformers, advocating for transparency and reform; the Loyalists, aspiring to join the…
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New Boss, Same Problems: Four More Years of Failure at the ERLC Part 2
In today's part 2 episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with John Whitehead, an Attorney and ERLC Trustee to discuss the ongoing issues at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) under Brent Leatherwood's leadership. Whitehead lays out the facts…
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New Boss, Same Problems: Four More Years of Failure at the ERLC Part 1 (ft. Jon Whitehead)
In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with John Whitehead, an Attorney and ERLC Trustee to discuss the ongoing issues at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Whitehead criticizes the lack of...
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Is the SBC for Sale? How Progressive Money and Influence Is Subverting the SBC with Megan Basham
Keynote Address from SBC at a Crossroads, hosted by Center for Baptist Leadership and Founders Ministries at the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting. Show Notes: https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/cbl-at-sbc/ Megan Basham is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and a culture reporter for The Daily Wire and…
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SBC Elites Have Forgotten the Local Churches: Lewis Richerson on Calvinism, Cooperation, and the future of the SBC
In Today's episode of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Lewis Richerson, Lead Pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church, to discuss the state of the SBC heading into the annual meeting, issues with the ERLC, the need for financial transparency, and also theological clarity through the law...
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The Danbury Institute and SBC 2025 with Scott Colter
In Today's episode of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Scott Colter, Chairman & CEO of The Danbury Institute, to discuss SBC 2025, why and how Christians should engage in politics, and the upcoming Life and Liberty Forum at the Southern Baptist Convention which will feature key...
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Congressman, Pastor, Baptist: Mark Harris on Fighting for the SBC and Serving in the Political Arena
In Today's episode of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Mark Harris, United States Congressman (R-NC), Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, and former North Carolina State Baptist Convention president, to discuss the SBC's drift towards "wokeism," why Christians must engage in politics,...
About this show
The Center for Baptist Leadership podcast aims to cultivate courageous and biblical Baptist leadership for 21st-century America. Our mission is to revitalize the Southern Baptist Convention from within, defend it from those who seek its destruction, and serve as a better Baptist voice in the public square. Learn more at www.centerforbaptistleadership.org.
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