News Release
For Immediate Release: 7.1.26
Direct: 972-941-4453
First Liberty Launches Effort to Renew Civic Life, Create New Civics Curriculum
Plano, TX—First Liberty Institute today announced that Hunter Baker has joined the legal firm’s Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy (“CRCD”) as senior fellow, leading a project designed to bring about a renewal of American citizenship and civics education. Baker comes to First Liberty after serving as provost at North Greenville University since January of 2024.
“Hunter’s wealth of experience and knowledge will greatly complement our incredible work,” said Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief Counsel for First Liberty. “As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of our nation, it is vital that we remember and teach future generations that religious liberty is the foundation of all of our liberties. We are excited to add Hunter to our efforts to educate all Americans.”
Jordan Ballor, Executive Director of CRCD added, “Hunter Baker has a passion for cultivating faith-leaders in all areas of society. He brings unique expertise to our efforts to contribute to the renewal of American civic life grounded in religious freedom and free exercise.”
Baker said, “Religious liberty is the foundation of our freedom because where the soul is free, the government must necessarily be a limited one. My hope in joining First Liberty is that I will successfully promote the understanding that our freedoms must be accompanied by a commitment to virtue. Self-government implies both government by consent and government of the self and its desires. It is the need of the hour for American citizens to take their liberties seriously and to embrace the duties that naturally accompany their rights.”
The CRCD has also engaged Jacob Wolf of the University of Austin as a research fellow to develop a civics textbook focused on American ideals, institutions, and culture. Wolf is a founding faculty member of the University of Austin, where he is Director of the Program in American Civilization and an Assistant Professor of Politics. Wolf holds a Ph.D. in political science from Boston College, and in
a recent essay wrote that “a true education in civic life is therefore not the transmission of ideas, but the formation of a citizenry capable of sustaining common life.” Luke Brooker, recent graduate of Dallas Baptist University, also joins CRCD as a program coordinator.
Baker will lead the civics initiative as well as continuing his own work and scholarship on American history, civics, and politics. Baker is a senior leader in Christian higher education with a record of accomplishment in management, scholarship, writing, speaking, and teaching. He has considerable expertise in the intersection of Christianity, the U.S. Constitution, church and state, political thought, public policy, and economics. He has a Ph.D. in religion, politics, and society from Baylor University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law School, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Georgia.
The mission of CRCD is to engage in civilization-affirming scholarship, education, and programming, which advances the importance of religion as a public good for strengthening social bonds and preserving foundational freedoms.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
