REVEREND JOHNNY RAY YOUNGBLOOD. He's the leader of St. Paul Community Baptist Church in one of Brooklyn's poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods. YOUNGBLOOD came to the church and turned it around from a dying institution, to a thriving center for religious and community activity. The church has created a school, and through innovative programs, brought young black men back into the church. St. Paul's has also (as part of a coalition with other churches) built housing in the area and replaced brothels and numbers joints. "Upon This Rock: The Miracles of a Black Church" by Samuel G. Freedman (published by HarperCollins) is about REV. YOUNGBLOOD and St. Paul's
Copyright 1993 Fresh Air