We have heard it been said that if you want to keep your friends, do not talk about religion or politics.
Matthew Grove wants to talk about both.
“Faith and politics intertwine. We represent Christ in everything, especially politics, so you have to be extra careful of your witness.”
Grove, a senior political science major, has spent the last four years at Union University preparing for a life in public service. His friends lovingly refer to him as “Mr. President” or “POTUS” due to his politically savvy mind and interest in public policy.
“Growing up, I was really into American history and that led into me following the news a lot, which eventually evolved into getting into politics,” Grove said sitting across from me at a small table in Barefoots Joe.
Although he was wearing a more casual outfit, that of a Sojourn t-shirt and athletic shorts, he seemed no less professional, at least conversationally. His smile was welcoming, his hair pushed back and groomed at the part, and he made great eye contact. He is exactly what you would imagine a young legislator to look like: slap on a suit, a red tie and an American flag on the lapel, and you’d be golden. However, what made Grove different from most of the politicians we know and (with Christ’s help) love was the genuineness of his passion for what he wants to do.
“Long-term I would like to be a lobbyist in Washington D.C. for a Christian organization to fight for Christian ideals and principles on the national level.”
“So, like the ERLC?”
“Yes! The ERLC is a dream job!”
The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) is an organization out of the Southern Baptist denomination that works to ensure that Christian values and religious liberty are represented through policies in our government. Grove spent the summer working alongside members of their team in Washington D.C., researching current issues, writing policy briefs, attending different meetings and learning what it looks like to be a Christian in the political arena.
Grove’s political experiences are not just something that he has received off campus. He has been actively involved in Union politics for a majority of his time here. Last year, Grove ran for SGA president, and since first arriving at Union and getting involved with student government, one of Grove’s biggest goals was to hold that office. After months of campaigning and hard work, Grove lost the race against his opponent Binh Morris.
“It was hard. Being involved in SGA since my first semester of freshman year, to all the sudden not, after that has been the vast majority of everything I have done at Union, made me have to kind of reevaluate my identity,” Grove told me. “I had to make sure I wasn’t rooting all of my identity in being a campus leader in SGA but making it broader than that.”
After his loss, an opportunity arose for Grove to begin working as a college and worship intern at Englewood Baptist Church. Grove believes that this role has prepared him better for a life of ministry in his future occupation better than what the title of SGA president would have, and he is thankful for that.
“Looking back, I am glad I lost,” Grove said. “As always, the Lord knew better than I. Becoming SGA president was always part of my plan, but the Lord had another one.”
This was something that I found most compelling about Grove. His faith plays a massive role in how he wants to approach his future career in politics. Oftentimes we see politicians get up on a platform and claim to be born-again believers that are interested in pushing Christian values in lawmaking, but rarely deliver. It is hard to believe these people most of the time and can cause us to be cynical, brushing their words off like when you throw away junk mail. It doesn’t matter.
However, Grove was different. When he spoke, I believed him. I believed that Christ was the center of his plans. I believed that he held on to the fact that the Gospel is the only thing that can fix a broken world. I believed that men like him in powerful positions, positions that make changes, are what will ultimately make a difference in our country.
After asking him if he would ever consider running for our country’s highest office, the presidency, he laughed and said no. After asking why, Grove said something really profound that continued to prove to me the legitimacy of his faith.
“I believe that there are other ways I can make my impact on politics for the Kingdom that aren’t being president. I want to work in government just long enough to get out!” Grove said, smiling. “Being president was a young man’s dream, but there is something greater.”
While belief in American leaders can sometimes be sparse and scarce, after talking with men like Matthew Grove, it gives me greater hope that a generation is rising up that will make great things happen for not only America, but, more importantly, the Kingdom of God.
With that, you have my vote Matthew.
Photos by Campbell Padgett
