Public Affairs & Advocacy

We represent Georgia Baptists as a voice on critical issues that affect our churches, families, and religious liberty.

Wherever the interests of Georgia Baptists, we go. Through interaction and negotiation with elected officials, government agencies, other influential bodies, we give special attention to religious liberty and church-state matters. We also give a voice on behalf of the Georgia Baptists to its thought and position on public issues as approved in reports or resolutions by the Georgia Baptist Convention. The Committee on Public Affairs also articulates the thinking of the Convention on subjects of public policy and social issues upon which the Convention has declared itself.

Ongoing issues

Encouraging religious freedom

Preventing child abuse

Connect with our team

770-936-5365

mgriffin@gabaptist.org

Mike Griffin

Public Affairs Representative

Read Mike's Bio

Mike Griffin is a native Georgian from Thomasville, Ga. He graduated from Thomas County Central High School in 1978 and earned his undergraduate degree at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville in 1984.

Mike and Liza have been married since 1978; they have four children and ten grandchildren. He and his wife live in Hartwell, Ga.

Mike had served in the past as a Southern Baptist pastor for over 35 years. In 2019, Mike completed serving 22 years as the founder and senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Hartwell, Ga.

In 2006, Mike ran as the Republican candidate for Georgia State Representative in the 29th District. After his run for state office, Mike represented Georgia Right to Life at the State Capitol and served as the organization's State Field Director for eight years. Mike has also served in the past as Vice President of Georgia Right to Life.

In April 2010, Mike was chosen as one of Georgia’s top 50 “most influential” Republicans at the state Capitol. The AJC article: “Georgia Influencers” ranked Mike at #11 among Republicans with the most influence at the Capitol.

In 2010, he served as State Field Director for former state Senator Jeff Chapman’s bid for the Republican Governor nomination. He has also served in the past as President of Ten Commandments Georgia and the former Chairman of board of Evangelizing India for Christ.

In January 2014, Mike accepted a position with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board as their Public Affairs Representative. In January 2020, he began working full-time for the GBMB. His duties include lobbying at the state Capitol and speaking on ethical and religious freedom issues around the state.

Since 2020, the editors of Atlanta magazine chosen Mike six years in a row to be one of Atlanta’s most powerful leaders and included him in the publication, “The Atlanta 500.” Also, in 2025 he was chosen by the James Magazine to be one of the new inductees to the Georgia Capitol “Lobbyist Hall of Fame."

Alliance Defending Freedom Church Alliance

Church Alliance was created to specifically assist churches with a wide range of concerns such as governing documents, policies, bylaws, and matters relating to religious liberty. ADF provides legal representation in cases involving religious liberty for their members.

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Ministry Safe: Preventing Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse Awareness Training equips staff members and volunteers to better understand the risk of child sexual abuse. The Georgia Baptist Mission Board provides FREE access to Awareness Training, the first step in the MinistrySafe 5-Part Safety System, to help protect children in your care.

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