Public Affairs Ministry
The Committee on Public Affairs is responsible to give voice on behalf of the Georgia Baptist Convention to its thought and position on public policy and social issues as approved in reports or resolutions by the Georgia Baptist Convention.
Public Affairs Representative
Mike Griffin
Public Affairs Representative
706-436-2646 cell
Email Mike
Click here for full Bio (PDF)
Connect With Us
Mike has been 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 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 moral and religious liberty issues around the state.
Committee on Public Affairs
The Committee on Public Affairs, composing of fifteen members, is responsible to give voice on behalf of the Georgia Baptist Convention to its thought and position on public policy and social issues as approved in reports or resolutions by the Georgia Baptist Convention.
- Act in the field of Public affairs wherever the interest go Georgia Baptists requires conferences or negotiation with the government of the United States, the State of Georgia, or other government bodies or agencies, with particular attention to religious liberty and church-state matters.
- To give voice on behalf of the Georgia Baptist Convention to its thought and position on public issues as approved in reports or resolutions by the Georgia Baptist Convention. The Committee on Public Affairs shall also articulate the thinking of the Convention on subjects of public policy and social issues upon which the Convention has declared itself.
Committee on Public Affairs
Georgia Baptist Mission Board
6405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097
Phone: 770-455-0404 / Toll Free: 800-746-4422
Latest Posts
NEW Podcast on Fighting Human Trafficking
It was honor to represent Georgia Baptists and be interviewed by Patrick Sullivan and Jon Sullivan on their new podcast on Human Trafficking called Go Beyond the X. The Sullivan’s are both apart of GRACE: Global Relief Association for Crises & Emergencies. Patrick is the Director of US Operations and Dr. Jon Sullivan, CEO of […]
Church Autonomy: What It Is and Why It’s Important
The following information in this article was put together the by the Alliance Defending Freedom Ministry Alliance Team member: Scott Blakeman. Its purpose was to inform Americans on the legal term of church autonomy and how it relates our First Amendment rights. Feel free to contact me at mgriffin@gabaptist.org if I can be of help to you […]
CURRENT ISSUES
Under the Dome 2021
The Christian Index
- Georgia Baptists learning to use their influence to impact moral, ethical issues July 14, 2021
- COMMENTARY: Georgia should join other states in protecting children from ‘sex change’ interventions June 24, 2021
- UNDER THE GOLD DOME: School libraries should not be excluded from obscenity laws June 4, 2021
- 2021 Georgia Baptist Capitol Report: Legislative Wrap Up April 22, 2021
- COVID-19 restrictions rolled back on churches, camps April 1, 2021
The Georgia ‘Vulnerable Child Protection Act’ Information
Out with School Obscenity Act Information
Guns In Church
ONGOING ISSUES
Religious Freedom
Child Abuse
Guns In Church
Marijuana
Predatory Gambling
- Sports Betting Alert! Letter to Georgia Baptists (PDF)
- Stop Predatory Gambling in Georgia Brief (PDF)
- Fact Sheet for Georgia H-118 (PDF)
- Download Testimony Opposing SB 264 (PDF)
- Download Testimony before the House and Senate Study Committee (PDF)
- Why a Christian Should Not Gamble
- Facts About Sports Gambling (PDF)
- The Devastating Effects Online Gambling Has On Children (PDF)
Alcohol
Same Sex Marriage
Georgia Baptist Convention Disagrees with SCOTUS Rulings in Obergefell v. Hodges
Download (PDF)
ERLC Partners with ADF in Creating Legal Resource for Churches Amidst Changing Marriage Culture
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention has partnered with Alliance Defending Freedom to create a legal guide for churches, schools and nonprofit organizations to use for their organizational structure in light of changes in the culture concerning marriage.
Download Legal Guide (PDF)
GET INVOLVED
“They understood the times and they knew what to do.” 1 Chronicles 12:32
Our Authority To Get Involved:
A Constitutional Authority
- The first three words of the Constitution: “We the People”
- The three most basic rights in our Country: Life, Liberty, Property Rights (Pursuit of Happiness)
- We are “Endowed by Our Creator”
A Biblical Authority
- The first three words of ‘God’s Constitution’ is “If My People” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
- Three God-given Institutions: The Church, The Home, The Government
- Two Basic, Primary Responsibilities of Government: Protect Innocent Life, Punish Evildoers (Romans 13)
Georgia Baptist Convention’s Role at the Capitol
Observation, Education, Motivation, Activation
Georgia Baptist Convention’s Role In the State of Georgia
Locate: Pastors, Churches, Citizens
Educate: Biblical Worldview, Current Events/Trends, How to Become Involved
Motivate: The Gospel! The Constitution! The Love of Our Family!
Ways To Get Involved:
Make Your Voice Count
Attend Events on Cultural Issues
How to Contact Your Representatives
- Office of the Governor
- Georgia House of Representitives Members List
- Georgia State Senate Members List
Election Information
- Voter Registration Online
- Voter Guides (will post as they are available)
Become an Intern at the Capital
Sign-up for Public Affairs Alerts:
To Get Public Affairs & Urgent Legislation Updates, Text “alerts” to 678-324-3284.
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VIDEOS
RESOURCES
Ethics and Public Affairs Reports
2020 Georgia Baptist Convention Resolutions
Approved at the 2020 Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting
2019 Georgia Baptist Convention Resolutions
Approved at the 2019 Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting
2018 Georgia Baptist Convention Resolutions
Approved at the 2018 Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting
2017 Georgia Baptist Convention Resolutions
Approved at the 2017 Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting
Dangers of Marijuana Resources
Georgia Baptist Convention Position Statement on Marijuana
The Georgia Baptist Convention has not taken an official position for or against the use of medical marijuana for certain medical conditions. However, the Georgia Baptist Convention does oppose both the cultivation of marijuana and the legalization of recreational marijuana in the State of Georgia.
- Report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division – The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research (2017)
- Mike Griffin: Testimony before the Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis
- Christian Index Article: The Trajectory of Marijuana Is Tracking Lust Like Alcohol – Downward
- Christian Index Article: Incremental steps toward recreational marijuana
- ERLC Article: The Church must respond to marijuana’s destructive march
- Pew Research Center Article: 6 facts about marijuana
2016 Georgia Baptist Convention Resolutions
Approved at the 2016 Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting
2015 Georgia Baptist Convention Resolutions
Approved at the 2015 Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting