Courage, Character, and CollegePlus!

Nathan Macias, candidate for state representative, casts a vision for young people interested in public policy

by Shawn Cohen

With the 2006 general elections just days away, Christians across the country are eagerly anticipating the possibility of seeing godly candidates placed into public office. The voters in the seventy-third district of Texas are no exception. Running on the Republican ticket in that election is Nathan Macias, a dedicated Christian, husband, and retired air force officer. Nathan is also a CollegePlus! dad whose son Luke has been in the program for several months.

The Push to Politics

In an interview just outside the Texas state capitol in Austin, Nathan shared his vision for serving in public office as well as how God directed him to run for state representative. According to Nathan, he caught the vision for serving in government thirteen years ago after listening to messages by Gregg Harris, a national conference speaker, and historian David Barton, president of Wallbuilders, a ministry dedicated to expounding the Christian truths upon which America was founded. View the video at the top of this page to see how God led Nathan to run for public office.

Big Picture Thinking

As a potential member of the Texas House of Representatives, Nathan wants to encourage more personal responsibility among Texas’ citizens as well as decreased governmental involvement in their individual freedoms. “I would like to lessen the burden of taxation and continue to see traditional family values [promoted] that have made Texas a great state, and this nation a great nation,” he said.

Nathan’s Vision for Young People Interested in Public Policy

Nathan faced a tough primary race, ousting the incumbent Republican by less than one percent of the vote. In addition to his vision for state government, Nathan has enjoyed mentoring the young people who have helped in his campaign. “In order for others to follow in your footsteps, it is vital to give them opportunities,” he said. And Nathan has given young people plenty of options for participating in the race whether by stuffing envelopes, going door to door, or talking with people at rallies. According to Nathan, these opportunities “increase their public speaking ability and help solidify their personal convictions for good government.”

The Biblical Mandate for Serving in Government

Nathan also sees a biblical basis for Christians serving in public office. Explaining that God has established government as a primary authority structure, he feels that it is imperative for believers to play an integral role in the development of public policy. This conviction has trickled down to his son Luke as well. “It has really turned the light on for him to someday seek public office whether on the community, county, state, or local level,” Nathan said.

A Representative's Responsibility

While the Texas legislature is only in session for 140 days every two years, Nathan plans to spend the remainder of his term talking with folks in his voting district, practicing what he calls “good constituent service.” In addition to these community relations, Nathan will take part in committee meetings for the next legislative session beginning in 2009.
Nathan also works in the private sector for a marketing and public relations company in San Antonio. “This is a meshing of everyday work in an environment of public service,” he said. That legislators also hold jobs as private residents “is a great mix because it keeps the legislature in the mode of citizens,” Nathan added.

Nathan Endorses CollegePlus!

Although a graduate of Texas A&M, Nathan sees the benefits inherent in the CollegePlus! program, especially for young people desiring to serve in public policy. “Oftentimes [the degree] is their ticket into public policy,” he said. View the video at the top of this page to see Nathan’s full endorsement of CollegePlus! and the impact he believes it can have on students entering the political realm.

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The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the interviewee and not necessarily those of Global Learning Strategies. Global Learning Strategies is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and does not officially endorse candidates running for local, state, or federal office or the policies they promote.