Mission to the Elite Stresses Christian Decisions

Once a missionary among the poor, the Rev. Emmit Young now ministers to the powerful--politicians, bureaucrats and business leaders.

His work, developed in the last 12 years under Presbyterian sponsorship, is carried on both in this country and several countries in Latin America.

It involves helping society’s leaders transfer “scriptural principles into the decision-making process of their professional life,” he says.

Young, based in Atlanta, had previously served for a decade as a missionary among the poor of Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, but he says working with the elite is just as important.

Scripture shows “God is concerned about public life,” Young says.

“I am absolutely convinced that the place for our obedience to Christ to be the most authentic is in the midst of our secular life.”

Prayer Groups

He shifted to his present work in 1975 in Brazil, moving his base to the United States in 1983 and establishing prayer groups among politicians in Washington and businessmen in Atlanta.

He also continues work with groups of legislators and other government leaders in Brazil and 11 other Latin American countries.

He said the meetings, including a Washington group, follow a general structure beginning with a short study of a biblical text on Jesus’ teachings.

The studies are led by members of the group and “are not a platform for professional religious people,” Young said.

The group then discusses such topics as: “What does it mean to be a congressman, or on the commission of education, responsible in that area of public life, and clearly to be a Christian?”

The Washington group consists of about 10 people, including officials of the Organization of American States and the World Bank, and is headed by Sen. Paul S. Trible Jr. (R-Va.).

Unlike some politicians who make their Christianity a part of campaign rhetoric, Young said most of the participants in his various fellowships go about their work quietly.

Whether in Brazil or in the United States, Young said, legislation is never sought nor decisions made in the name of the group.

But if the group decides a particular action needs to be taken, or a position put forth, they will work that into speeches and votes, Young said.

In Atlanta, where he has been given office space by a downtown Presbyterian church, Young has established the Atlanta Resource Foundation, which brings influential businessman together with people running various community programs.

The foundation’s goal is to tap the resources of business for use in underfunded programs, thus helping others pursue their aspirations.