Capitol Ministries

11 OUR HISTORY Capitol 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 cer- tainly was during the founding years in American history. But aer the incursive and faux-Christian "social justice" Social Gospel period of American church history, Bible-believing Evangelicals backed away from missions to and among political leaders. For this and other reasons, some pastors even pronounced government as evil and counseled be- lievers against any involvement in politics. As a re- sult, political leaders, who had historically been em- braced by the church and had counted many pastors among them, became a forgotten and neglected mis- sion 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 to evangelize and disciple public servants to create better hearts. Not surprisingly, the United States suffered continuing moral decline. Ralph and Danielle began discussing this prob- lem on their second date. Danielle served as the executive director of a successful political action committee that helped Christians become elected to office in California. But once elected, over and over again, these Christians public servants failed to vote in keeping with the convictions they professed to hold. As a former professional athlete, Ralph was the director of America's trade organization for var- ious and many sports ministries. He was very famil- iar with America's sports ministry movement that planted ministries to athletes in high schools, col- leges, 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 na- tional championship teams under legendary coach John Wooden. Aer graduating, Ralph postponed 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 frus- tration of weak-kneed Christian politicians. e problem wasn't so much getting Christians elect- ed as much as it was the public servants' 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 need- ed was a discipleship ministries for public servants in office similar to those established for athletes! "It is very beneficial for lawmakers to be involved in a serious Bible study. We should look to the Bible for examples of leaders. In fact, when Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel spoke to a joint session of Congress he looked up from the speaker's rostrum and saw Moses staring down at him. Here is the face of Moses who provided the law. "Capitol Ministries' Bible study has been very helpful to me personally. I enjoy the account- ability of a weekly study that keeps us in the Word, as well as the interaction and fellowship with other members which is a real encouragement." STEVE DAINES U.S. Senator, Montana

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