Health & Fitness
A Life of Service and the Glimmer of Hope
Meet a young Manchester man using his business and his skills to support the community.
By Kyle S. Reyes, Director of Marketing for Carter Chevrolet and Mazda of Manchester
“If there’s an area of your life where you don’t have glimmering hope, than you are believing a lie.”
A few years back, a friend invited Nathan Oldham to a conference. Truth be told, he wasn’t that excited about going. But sometimes life has a way of surprising you.
“The speaker stood up and shared that message about glimmering hope,” said Oldham. “And the more I thought about it, the more it rang true. I started identifying areas of my life where I didn’t have a lot of hope and you begin to see the lies you believe. Over time, it has made me a more-well rounded person and deepened my character.”
Oldham is the kind of guy that reminds you about how good it feels to do the right thing. He’s the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Manchester Area Conference of Churches. He is an incredible photographer. He’s a loving father and a smitten husband.
And he’s a man of faith.
“I got my start in 2006 when my church saw that I had done some video work before and really liked it. They gave me a camera and sent me to Haiti. I documented the trip and that’s what gave me my first boost of excitement in film and photography,” said Oldham.
Three years later, they sent him to Panama for a similar shoot.
“Those were the two events that got me excited about the potential of media in general and what it could do for a cause,” he said.
In 2008, Oldham started his own photography business. But it wasn’t just about the photographs. It was about God.
“I never wanted to do anything in life that didn’t tie back into faith. When I started my photography business I wondered how I could do it in a way that honored that faith,” said Oldham.
After reflecting on Scripture, Oldham decided he’d give back to the “poor and widowed”.
“I thought I could do it by giving a portion of the proceeds to organizations that were doing important and significant work – specifically with children,” he said. “I was passionate about it. I couldn’t imagine spending so much of my time and not tying it into God. I never wanted to work 40-60 hours a week and feel like I hadn’t made a difference.”
Whether it be his photography business or his work in helping change lives through M.A.C.C., Oldham has perhaps the greatest support structure a man could ask – or pray – for.
“My wife has been my biggest supporter in all of this. Several times, she’s asked me what I would do if I could do anything. At the end of the conversation, she always told me to do it.”
In 2011, they became proud parents. Their son, Eli, changed things for Oldham – in a very positive way.
“Having a kid changes you. I went from thinking about me… to my wife and I … to my wife and child and I. It was a lot of transition that happened really quickly. But there’s nothing more important than family and relationships,” he said.
The family and the juggling of work keep Nathan busy. His faith is what keeps him grounded. It’s also something that has helped build his business.
“When you do business with a photographer, you’re really investing your money in not just an art or a skill…but you’re investing it in someone who is going to be preserving the most important moments of your life for years and years to come,” he said. “On top of that, when you decide to hire me, you’re also giving 10% of that away to whatever causes I’m partnered with that particular year. You’re getting someone who takes photography very seriously and is also giving your money towards a great cause.”
To see some of Nate's work - both photography and a video he put together for M.A.C.C. - along with a video interview with him - click here.
