Township Council

Nathaniel Goodson Jr. is the oldest of seven children born to Nathaniel Sr. and Ruth Goodson. Nate grew up in West Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School. After graduating, Nate enrolled in Cheyney State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Upon the completion of this milestone Nate answered his call to the ministry. In 1979 he was ordained and later became the pastor of Prayer Chapel Church of God In Christ. By 1996 Nate’s church had outgrown its space. After a long search for just the right place, Nate moved his church and family to Upper Darby, Pa. The church that started with just a hand full of members has grown to over 250 under his vision and leadership. Nate, a born teacher and visionary recognized that a growing church needed to provide ongoing training beyond bible study for those who have the desire to serve in leadership in their churches. Several years ago he was instrumental in helping his church create an institute “The Prayer Chapel Institute of Biblical Leadership.” Before this great achievement, Nate found great fulfillment working in the church and providing social services through his employment and community involvement. He realized that real change came with changing social policy. I n order to affect social policy in a more meaningful way and make a greater contribution to social services he pursued a degree in social work.

In 1988, Nate received a Master’s of Social Work, (specializing in family therapy) from the University of Pennsylvania while working fulltime for a State Representative in Philadelphia. In 1990 Nate made another career decision and accepted a position as a medical social worker at Temple University Hospital. Through his work at Temple, Nate discovered that there was an area where patients with medical/mental health issues were underserved. Nate convinced the Social Work Department at Temple to create a new position called “guardianship” and he served as its first social worker and court liaison. Nate redefined the social worker’s role in the disposition of the patients who previously had no family or advocate. Nate had held this position for several years when he announced that he was called to pastor fulltime. Nate then began to work on a vision he had of his own agency. In 2003 he left medical social work to pastor fulltime and serve as the executive director of Guardian Associates of Pennsylvania, an agency he co founded. “GAP” is a court appointed agency that manages and protects the lives and assets of the most vulnerable members of society.

In 2004 Nate added to his busy life as pastor and director an opportunity to join the team of State Representative Mario Civera and serve as his outreach coordinator. Nate’s experiences as outreach coordinator provided a greater opportunity to first hand impact on and participate more in community services. In 2005 Nate accepted an appointment to fill the vacant council seat in the 7th District. In 2006 he was elected to council and become the first African American to hold a council seat in Upper Darby. Nate has become an influential and prominent figure in the community. He serves on the boards of several community agencies and partners with various groups to make Upper Darby a better community. Nate is a dedicated hard worker and has made a commitment to serve every resident of Upper Darby and especially the 7th District. Nate’s vision is to make the 7th District an example of what teamwork, diversity and community involvement can achieve in Upper Darby.

When Nate is not involved in one of his many civic activities he can found spending time with his wife of 35 years Audrey, his daughter Dea (a school teacher in Philadelphia) son in law Kwan (a Philadelphia firefighter) and the joy of his life his new granddaughter, Layla.