Johnathan Newman ('90)
State Representative, Ohio House of Representatives
In the fall of 2023, Johnathan Newman filed to have his name placed on the ballot for the 2024 Ohio State Representative race. For the senior pastor and 1990 Union graduate, this was a deviation from his expected path, but one he felt led to walk.
Newman says recent events deepened his conviction about the importance of equipping Christians to engage culture with a biblical worldview.
“Many things happened to make me see the importance of preaching the word, making disciples to help people see how to look at the world through a biblical worldview, a biblical lens, how to engage lostness, and how to engage the culture that does not know God,” he says.
After witnessing the swing from a generally pro-life Ohio populace to the state codifying the right to abortion, Newman felt compelled to act. His heart’s cry was, “If I can find a way, if the Lord would give me a way to be more engaged, I’ll do it.”
“It made me realize more Christians, including pastors — especially me — need to find more ways to engage people outside my church in the marketplace, in the culture, in the government.”
He prayed, talked to his church elders, his wife and a few trusted friends. The path became even clearer.
With his wife by his side, he entered the world of politics, but he says his calling remains unchanged.
“I’m called to Christ, and to preach the word, to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness,” he says. “That’s the calling of every Christian.”
On Jan. 6, he was sworn in as State Representative for Ohio’s 80th District.
Newman is passionate about encouraging younger Christians to rise up and engage their communities. “Know the word,” he says. “And know that you’re called to live your life for God’s glory.”
He is quick to add, “That includes fearlessly speaking truth to the world, to the culture, and not forgetting the gospel that lost souls need.”
As he went door-to-door throughout the community, Newman realized that people were hungry for an “outsider” to be running for political office. Often, he says, those conversations turned to Jesus. Many times, he or those on his team had the opportunity to share the gospel.
“Our priority is to proclaim Christ and his gospel,” Newman says. “We should never trade political influence for the priority of preaching the gospel to the world.”
Thinking back on his time at Union, Newman says that some of his greatest influences came from a group of friends that “God put together.”
Newman recalls, “Conversations late at night, day to day, around the clock, praying together, discipling one another, helping each other grow — those are the moments right there in the dorm room, in the Baptist Student Union, the mission trips. That was incredibly formative.”
“My experience at Union exposed me to experiences where I found the Holy Spirit deepening my faith in God as never before,” he says.
“To any young Christian considering a college education, I would advise you to commit yourself to God’s word and … get your degree rooted in a biblical worldview,” Newman says. “That’s what I found at Union University.”
Though new to his role as a State Representative, Newman remains deeply committed to ministry. He and his wife are launching Thrive, a ministry designed to walk alongside pastors and their families, providing gospel-centered coaching and support.