Nate Cole ministers with
Plus One, a contemporary Christian musical group that is rapidly gaining
an international audience. Nate grew up in Sacramento, Calif., attending
Capital Christian Center (Assemblies of God) where his grandfather,
Glen Cole, pastored, and father, Ricky Cole, currently pastors. Nate
recently talked with Scott Harrup, associate editor.
Evangel: How did you come to
Christ?
Cole:
I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home. I remember
saying a salvation prayer with my mom when I was just 4. My relationship
became more personal the older I got. I realized I couldn’t rely
on going to church and what my parents told me about Christ. Around
my sophomore year, I really began to pursue a one-on-one relationship
with God.
Evangel: You grew up in a minister’s
home. How did that shape your life?
Cole: When Dad came home
he was living the things that he was preaching. All the principles that
he taught at church he also taught me. I feel really blessed to have
grown up with that. My dad is one of the people I look up to the most.
I think a lot of the character I have now was placed into me by my mom
and dad. I’m only 19. I’ve only been out of my parents’
home for about two years. So pretty much all that I am is based on the
life I’ve known living with them.
Evangel: Describe how you got
into a full-time music career.
Cole: I sang in church and
in school choirs like a lot of kids. One summer our music pastor told
me about a competition in Estes Park, Colo. I went and competed and
met the guy who is now our manager. He told me of his vision to put
together a group like ours. He met with my parents. The next summer
there were auditions. I let God lead me. He placed this in my hands
as I trusted Him to supply all my needs.
Evangel: What steps do you take
to keep your walk with Christ vibrant?
Cole: We have group Bible
studies and keep each other accountable. We’re like any other ministry
team that needs to meet and maintain a focus. It goes even beyond that,
because each of us has our own struggles. You have to be persistant
with your walk and focus on establishing the right priorities. You have
to stay in the Word and in prayer. I’m really open with my parents.
Sometimes you need someone to get in your face and tell you how it is.
Evangel: What are the greatest
temptations and challenges for young people?
Cole: Everything that you
see, even some of the subtle things, is selling sex. It’s scary
to think that my kids will probably have to live in a day that’s
even worse than now. Drugs are another big problem. The people I hung
out with didn’t deal with that as much, but there are certainly
pressures there. Another problem is that young people in church can
go through the motions and fail to press in with God. It’s easy
to look around and compare yourself to other kids and feel like you’re
doing all right. But you have to look for that deeper level with God.
The only way you’re going to act like Him is if you know what He
is like. I constantly have to go deeper with God and grow.
Evangel: What message do you
want to communicate to your audiences?
Cole: We want people to find
out for themselves who Christ really is. Our name, Plus One, means us
plus God. There’s a lot of loneliness in kids and adults alike.
We want to show people there is a God who really cares for and loves
them. You’re not alone in life. Even when you feel alone, there
is Someone beside you who can help you through those times. Our messages
are simple but focus on God’s hope. We try not to come across in
a preachy manner that would turn people off. But who wouldn’t want
to hear that Someone loves you? Someone cares for you?
Cole:
I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home. I remember
saying a salvation prayer with my mom when I was just 4. My relationship
became more personal the older I got. I realized I couldn’t rely
on going to church and what my parents told me about Christ. Around
my sophomore year, I really began to pursue a one-on-one relationship
with God.