Marks of a Man

Matthew Gambill


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Matthew Gambill grew up in Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia. Except for college, Matthew has lived in Cartersville all his life. Matthew lists the influences in his life as first, Jesus, and second, his maternal grandfather, Frank Harris, not to discredit his father. Frank was from the rural mountains of North Georgia. He went to work in the seventh grade to support his widowed mother and siblings. After rising as far as he could at one company, he started a business in 1945, Harris Cement Products. Frank helped build their Church in the 1950s. Matthew talks about how his grandfather invested in people. God rewarded him with a wonderful family and great success, which allowed him to help others and support the ministry and missionaries around the world.

 

Frank Harris served on the Cartersville City School Board and was chairman in the 1960s when Cartersville integrated the schools. Frank and his wife had observed that blacks were not treated right in the South. Frank worked with other leaders to ensure peaceful integration. Matthew praises the Lord for setting Frank in a position to influence others to do the right thing. Jim affirms that Frank Harris had the mark of a man in treating all with equity.

 

Matthew’s uncle, Joe Frank Harris, ran for office and won the same Georgia House of Representatives seat that Matthew holds now, against a well-funded incumbent. Joe Frank Harris served for 18 years in the House. In 1982, Joe Frank was elected Governor and served for two terms until 1991. Matthew credits God with putting Joe Frank in the right place at the right time. Matthew’s uncle, Fred, was a commercial real estate developer in Cartersville, after working at Harris Cement. Matthew’s father served a term on the Cartersville City School Board. Leadership, responsibility, and service to the community were all part of the Harris family way of life, instilled in them from youth. That was Matthew’s motivation for running for the Georgia House two years ago.

 

Matthew shares his early education and Church membership. He was blessed with good friends who would meet on Saturday nights for prayer and listen to Christian bands and evangelists. Through those friends, God led Matthew to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee to study political science in a Christian framework. Jim affirms that Matthew’s grandfather had expectations for Matthew’s behavior. Matthew says his Church affiliation growing up was in the Wesleyan Holiness movement, emphasizing the way you behave to have more of God’s influence in your life. Matthew benefited more from mastering the discipline of getting a degree than he did from the particular degree he earned. After school, God opened a door for Matthew to work at the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education representing teachers of vocational programs in middle school and high school.

 

If there is a need that God has put in our heart to address, then we need to do it with a heart of gratitude. Matthew felt a call to government service so he ran for office and won a seat in the Georgia House. Matthew shares how he was drawn to run for the seat. Matthew respects anybody who steps up to the plate to run for office, as it is not glamorous, fun, or easy. Georgia has a part-time citizen legislature. The 236 men and women serving also hold full-time jobs. For two years, Matthew has been working for NFP, providing insurance benefits.

 

Generally, constituent calls are from people who are unhappy and need help with a complicated matter. As a Christian, Matthew serves others to glorify God and not for personal thanks. Matthew credits his wonderful wife, Danae, who also served in the Georgia House of Representatives, with a great understanding of his burdens.

 

Matthew tells of his 2018 campaign. Because of Matthew’s grandfather and family, he was a known entity with credibility in the community. Only one person ran against him. In April 2020, no one ran against Matthew, which was a blessing during the COVID-19 shutdown.

 

Matthew talks about passing a budget and passing bills. There are a lot of steps to passing a bill and it can get torpedoed at any one of them. Matthew describes the steps from writing the bill to passing it and having it signed into law. Matthew explains why it seems that nothing gets done in the Legislature and explains why it takes so long to pass a budget. Jim invites listeners to go to the Georgia House website, linked below. Pull up a bill and look at the vote breakdown. Jim affirms Matthew’s willingness to serve God and to serve the citizens of Georgia and expresses gratitude for Mattthew’s service.

 

Matthew asserts, as seen in the Bible, when you have righteous leaders, the people are blessed. Matthew prays for righteous people to be called to run for office. It’s okay to support certain platforms, but always remember, Jesus is our Savior and our hope.

 

We need to take a more active role in understanding those we send to represent us. Do we represent God as well as we ask our elected officials to represent us? Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (KJV) Matthew treasures the spiritual inheritance his grandfather left him. What influence is Matthew leaving on those he serves? Jim talks about living up to your word. Your word is more important than money.

 

Matthew is serving where God has called him to serve. He is building relationships to become a more effective representative. He is trying to do his job well. He looks for community and state needs that he can help by introducing a bill. Matthew shares the things he wants to see preserved and protected in Georgia. Matthew wants to protect the U.S. Constitution from those who believe that the United States is fundamentally flawed. Matthew is a proponent of law and order, liberty, and freedom, which we enjoy because of the sacrifices of men and women for generations. In October and November ideas start coming forward for bills for the next legislative session. Georgia residents can contact Matthew with their ideas for changing something, he is all ears.Call to Action: Jim invites men and boys who are looking to engage in society to develop their work ethic through hard, diligent work; start today. Consider Matthew’s story of continuing successfully to represent his family and represent God in selflessness.

 

Find our podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, give it a five-star review, subscribe, share it, and help us get this word out! Send Jim an email with your suggestions on guests, topics, and traits.See our Website: MenBuildMen.comEmail: [email protected]

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Matthew Gambill on Instagram: @MatthewGambillMatthew Gambill on Facebook: @votegambill

Matthew Gambill on Twitter: @Matthew_Gambill

Matthew Gambill Campaign: Votegambill.com

Matthew Bambill email: [email protected]

Georgia House of Representatives

Lee University

Block USA

I-75

University of Georgia

Great Depression

Joe Frank Harris

Jentezen Franklin

Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education

NFP

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Marks of a ManBy Jim Nicklas

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