My name is Tom Nicholas, and it is a joy to be stepping into ministry here in Montana. My wife Sarah and I, along with our three children, are grateful for the opportunity to make this state our home. We are a family that leans into homesteading and the rhythms of ranching life—gardening, raising animals, working the land—and we see those practices as deeply spiritual, shaping us to live simply, depend on God, and stay rooted in community.

Before pastoral ministry, my journey included working as a ranch hand, training horses, shoeing horses as a ferrier, and serving in the U.S. Navy. Sarah brings her gifts from the world of business and health care, having dedicated much of her career to senior in-home care. Together, we carry both practical and pastoral experience that keeps us grounded in everyday life and service.

At the core of my calling is a simple mission: to live and to lead so that people encounter Jesus as present and alive, and to equip His church through the Spirit to walk faithfully in discipleship, community, and hope. I believe the pastor is not the head of the church—Christ alone is—but one of the Spirit-gifted leaders called to nurture, equip, and encourage the priesthood of all believers. That conviction shapes how I serve, teach, and lead, always pointing back to the King who walks with us.

We look forward to joining hands with you in ministry—strengthening prayer, building community, and seeking fresh ways to share God’s love with our neighbors. Just as working the land takes patience, trust, and steady hands, we believe God is cultivating something here in Montana through His church. Our family is thankful to be part of that story, and we are excited to see what God will do among us in the Montana Conference.

Blessings,

Tom