Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro hosted the first-ever “Government Day” sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Christian Schools on Friday at its campus located at 1000 Oak Hill Avenue. Five political leaders spoke to students and representatives of four MACS affiliate schools during the three-hour program about government operations. Shown here, from left, are the following participants in Friday’s program: 1^st row, Attleboro City Councilor George Ross, Massachusetts Rep. Elizabeth Poirier, Christian Greve of the Massachusetts Coalition for Marriage and Family, Brad Hansen (a Boston-based constituent services officer for U.S. Senator Scott Brown) and Paul Smith, founder of Citizen Impact, a Georgia-based political action committee; and 2^nd row, Kelly Andrews of Faith Baptist Christian Academy of Palmer, Montel Wilder of Pepperell Christian Academy, Jerry Johnson of Calvary Christian Academy of Easthampton and Pastor Jeffrey Bailey of GBCA. (Photo courtesy of Grace Baptist Christian Academy)

        ATTLEBORO – Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro served as host Friday (Sept. 17) at its campus located at 1000 Oak Hill Avenue to the first-ever “Government Day” program sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Christian Schools.

          An estimated 75 students in grades 7 through 12 and faculty representatives of MACS affiliate schools participated in the three-hour symposium, which featured presentations by local, state and national political leaders. In addition to GBCA, representatives of Faith Baptist Christian Academy of Palmer, Pepperell Christian Academy and Calvary Baptist Christian Academy of Easthampton attended.

          Delivering presentations during the program were Massachusetts Rep. Elizabeth Poirier (R-North Attleboro), Attleboro City Councilor George Ross, Christian Greve of the Massachusetts Coalition for Marriage & Family and Brad Hansen, a constituent services officer in the Boston office of U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.). The keynote speech was given by Paul Smith of Loganville, Ga., founder of Citizen Impact (a political action committee advocating increased participation in public policy matters).

          Friday’s program was emceed by Pastor Jeffrey Bailey, GBCA’s superintendent, who termed it “a success” at its conclusion.

          “The purpose of today was to give students at MACS schools a general idea as to how governments work on the local, state and national levels, and what opportunities are available to them to participate in the political system,” Pastor Bailey said. “It is especially critical for young people in America to become involved and stay involved in the political process, and I think we succeeded in getting that message across today.”

Massachusetts Rep. Elizabeth Poirier, center, discusses the workings of state government Friday during the “Government Day” program sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Christian Schools at Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro. (Photo courtesy of Grace Baptist Christian Academy)

Each of the five speakers Friday explained their roles in the American system, relayed personal experiences and answered questions from participants. Rep. Poirier presented an overview of the legislative process in Massachusetts, while Ross described the challenges of handling “mundane” matters at the local level. Greve explained the structure and purposes of political action committees and Hansen stressed the significance of constituent services.

          In his keynote address, Smith urged students to take an active role in shaping public policy in the United States today and in the future.

          “I believe Christians should become involved and stay involved in matters of public policy and that we are commanded by God to become involved in our culture,” Smith said. “Your youth and enthusiasm can be a tremendous asset to our nation.”

Attleboro City Councilor George Ross speaks to the gathering Friday during the “Government Day” program sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Christian Schools at Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro. (Photo courtesy of Grace Baptist Christian Academy)

During the program, Smith also supervised a mock electoral campaign between two students in attendance, climaxed by an “election.” The program concluded with a lunch, during which attendees chatted with speakers about issues and raised questions on their political positions.

          Based in Boston, the Massachusetts Association of Christian Schools annually sponsors several activities among member schools, including competitions in athletics, fine arts and speech.