WASHINGTON (BP) – Gene Mills, president of the nonprofit Louisiana Family Forum (LFF), has joined the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom as an appointee of House Speaker Mike Johnson.
In leading LFF, Mills has worked with various churches across Louisiana including Southern Baptists, promoting life, the traditional family unit, and public causes including the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. He himself serves as a presbyter on the leadership team of The Church International, a nondenominational, charismatic congregation in Baton Rouge, La.
“For nearly four decades, I have advocated for communities, states and nations where ‘God is honored, life is respected, families flourish, and religious liberty reigns,’” he told Baptist Press, referencing LFF’s mission. “I will do the same in this new assignment. I have heard the cry of the unborn, seen the chains of the justly and unjustly imprisoned, and felt the burden of the marginalized and oppressed. My conscience and conviction tell me I must do what I can.”
As a USCIRF commissioner appointed through May 2028, he’ll promote religious liberty for Christians, Muslims, Jews and others globally, issuing timely reports, holding public hearings and upholding tenets of the International Religious Freedom Act.
“My immediate goal as a commissioner is to become proficient in the plight of those persecuted for their faith around the world, and to shed light on the dark religious oppression wherever it may be found, then to work toward a global understanding that every person is, in fact, entitled by their Creator to freely express deeply held religious convictions and beliefs without fear of reprisal,” Mills said. “I am deeply honored by my appointment to the USCIRF. I am particularly grateful to Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for their nomination and vote of confidence.
“I look forward to continuing the great work of commissioners who have honorably served before me, and I am committed to working diligently for those who are suffering from religious persecution around the world.”
The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission embraces the work of the bipartisan group and has long supported its reauthorization, occurring every two years. Its current authorization is set for renewal by September.
Mills was appointed alongside new commissioners:
- David A. Anderson, founder and senior pastor of Bridgeway Community Church near Baltimore, Md., and founder of Gracism Global, focused on building bridges across races, faiths, cultures and wealth. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) appointed Anderson.
- CeCe Heil, senior counsel and international legal director for the American Center for Law and Justice. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) appointed her.
- Gunisha Kaur, a physician, medical anthropologist and scientist who has advocated two decades for human rights amid humanitarian crises globally.
Commissioner Asif Mahmood, reappointed to an additional term, welcomed the new commissioners.
“Their skillsets offer an invaluable perspective to the work of the commission as it confronts threats to freedom of religion or belief,” Mahmood said July 16 as USCIRF announced the additions.
Current commissioners Rachel Laser was also reappointed, as commissioners Mohamed Elsanousi, Maureen Ferguson, chair Vicky Hartzler, Stephen Schneck and Meir Soloveichik completed their service.
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