Capitol Ministries

10 history C apitol Ministries was established for one purpose: to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the political arena throughout the world. is mission may seem to be a common-sense objective; it certainly was during the founding years in America history. But aer the incursive and faux-Christian "social justice" Social Gospel period of American church history, Bible-be- lieving Evangelicals backed away from missions to and among political leaders. For this and other reasons, some pastors even pronounced government as evil and counseled believers against any involvement in politics. As a result, political leaders, who had historically been embraced by the church and had counted many pas- tors among them, became a forgotten and neglected mission field. Paradoxically, at the same time, the Reli- gious Right movement was born. Christians began to form organizations to lobby legislators for better laws rather than evangelizing and discipling public servants to create better hearts. Not surprisingly, the United States suffered continuing moral decline. Ralph and Danielle began discussing this problem on their second date. Danielle served as the execu- tive director of a successful political action commit- tee that helped Christians become elected to office in California. But once elected, over and over again, these Christians public servants failed to vote in keep- ing with the convictions they professed to hold. As a former professional athlete, Ralph was the director of America's trade organization for various and many sports ministries. He was very familiar with America's sports ministry movement that planted ministries to athletes in high schools, colleges, and on professional sports teams. Ralph had personally benefitted from one of Campus Crusade for Christ's ministries, Athletes in Action (AIA), on the UCLA campus where he played for two national championship teams under legendary coach John Wooden. Aer graduating, Ralph post- poned a professional career to play basketball for AIA, a Christian evangelistic basketball team that traveled the world playing national teams and sharing their Christian testimonies at halimes. As they lingered over coffee on their second date, Ralph and Danielle discussed their mutual frustration of weak-kneed Christian politicians. e problem wasn't so much getting Christians elected as much as it was the public servant's failure to show Christian maturity, act on their convictions, and display courage aer they were in office. e sports ministry model dried into the conversation, and the couple had an epiphany—what was needed was a discipleship min- istries for public servants in office similar to those es- tablished for athletes! ey immediately realized that idea—evangelizing and discipling public servants— was what was being overlooked by the Religious Right movement. At that moment, their prayerful vision was to establish ministries at all levels of government in "Laura and I knew our country was headed in the wrong direction, and we had been praying for the nation and those who serve. When we met Ralph and Danielle Drollinger, I was blown away to learn that Capitol Ministries was leading Bible studies to political leaders in states and the U.S. Capitol where laws and policies are made. Now foreign leaders are calling Ralph to bring the Gospel to their nations. I see God's hand all over this ministry, and it's a blessing to be a part of it." Tom Moiola Capitol Ministries Board Member Owner of Moiola Brothers Cattle Feeders, the business that Tom's father and his two brothers began in 1946.

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