affiliations
Current
Adjunct faculty, Philosophy
Adjunct instructor at Columbia State Community College’s Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. Classes taught include Intro to World Religions and Intro to Philosophy.
Co-host & Senior Producer, Crossing Faiths Podcast
Two friends, Matt Hawkins (an Evangelical Christian) and John Pinna (a Muslim) talk religion and politics. What could possibly go wrong? The podcast delivers weekly, 1 hour episodes featuring commentary on news, politics, multifaith experiences, and expert guests. The conversations build on almost a decade of their collaboration, advocating in Washington, D.C. for religious freedom domestically and around the globe. The two developed the podcast with a desire to share conversations that model friendship and collaboration despite deep differences in religion and background. Listen & subscribe via iTunes, Google, Overcast, iHeartRadio, Spotify, or TuneIn.
PhD Student, Public Theology
Matt is a PhD student in public theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC). His primary research interests include the political witness of local churches, multi-faith engagement by theological conservatives, and bringing together the spheres of theologians and public policy makers. His 17 years of practical experience with the ERLC inspired this scholarly pursuit.
Associate Fellow, ERLC Research Institute
The Research Institute, an initiative of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, seeks to be a persuasive, prophetic witness engaging the academy and equipping the church. Assembled from among the most gifted Southern Baptist thinkers across a wide array of disciplines and institutions — law, theology, business, economics, medicine, ethics, foreign policy, and public policy — the Research Institute exists to produce public theology commentary on the complex moral questions of the day, and to do so at the highest levels of academic scholarship for the good of local congregations.
Board Member, One America Movement
Founding Board member. Board chair (2021—__) The One America Movement’s mission is to build bridges and solve problems. We bring Americans together across racial, religious, political and geographic divides to address pressing social problems—poverty, opioids, racial tension and more. Our work is guided by faith and science. We work with experts in neuroscience, social science and conflict-resolution to design our work. And we promote the core values of our faith traditions: to treat others as we wish to be treated, and to advance a vision for a stronger and more united country.
Former
International Religious Freedom Roundtable
The multi-faith International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable in Washington, D.C., is a proven platform for bringing people together—despite deep political and theological differences—and building mutual understanding, respect, trust and reliance among groups and citizens. In fact, it is a model of good citizenship and governance that will contribute to the long- term security and economic interests of all countries and regions. Matt previously participated in the Roundtable as co-chair of the Congressional Working Group and, later, on the Steering Committee. He now collaborates as needed.
Associate Producer
The broadcast team of WORLD News Group hosts the Legal Docket Podcast, telling the stories behind cases expecting decisions from the Supreme Court. Matt assisted with some preproduction in a contract capacity early in 2020.
Board Member, Sanctity of Life Ministries
Sanctity of Life Ministries (SLM) exists to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and affirm life in the womb. We fulfill our mission by offering compassionate support, education and medical services to those who face challenging sexual health decisions. Our driving motivation is to present “Life in Christ…Life in the Womb” to the many women who come through our doors. SLM consists of the Nova Pregnancy Help Centers of Alexandria and Fairfax, which are equipped with the latest ultrasound technology and provide excellent medical care with a compassionate heart.