Sunday School • 9:45am
13100 Warwick Blvd • Newport News • VA 23602
Tel: 757.249.0374
Pastor James P. Nickols
Pastor James P. Nickols was installed as Reformation Lutheran Church's pastor on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 2, 2004 after completing more than 31 years as a chaplain in the United States Navy.
Pastor Nickols was graduated from Concordia Bronxville, New York (A.A., 1968) and Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana (B.A., 1970). He attended Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, Missouri and was graduated from Christ Seminary, Saint Louis, 1974 (M.Div.). He was ordained in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS) in August 1974 at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, East Northport, New York by The Rev. Rudolph Ressmeyer, President of the Atlantic District, LCMS. Prior to entering the Navy chaplaincy, Pastor Nickols was an assistant pastor at All Saints Lutheran Church, Brookville, NY and a faculty member at Long Island Lutheran High School, Brookville, NY. From 1977 to 1979, he served as Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church, Saint Louis, MO.
Pastor Nickols earned a Master of Arts degree in Communication from St. Louis University (1978), a Sacred Masters of Theology degree (STM) in
Christian Spirituality from General (Episcopal) Theological Seminary, New York City (1989) and a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Management from Salve Regina, Newport, R. I. (1996).
Pastor Nickols began his affiliation with the Navy in 1972 as a theological student. Since 1979, his assignments were: 2d Battalion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Regiment (1979-1980), Okinawa, Japan; USS CALIFORNIA (CGN 36) (1980-1982); Naval Training Center, Orlando, Florida (1982-1985); Advanced Course, Chaplain School, Newport, Rhode Island (1985-1986); U.S. Coast Guard Base, Governors Island, New York; USS NEW JERSEY (BB 63) (1989-1991); USS MISSOURI (BB 63) (1991-1992); 7th Marines Regiment (Reinforced), First Marine Division (1992-1993); Director, Religious Ministries Directorate, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California (1993-1996), USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) (1996-1998), Director, Operational Ministries, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, and Command Chaplain for the Pre-Commissioning Unit RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) and USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76).
In addition to his pastoral responsibilities at Reformation, he is the campus minister for the Lutheran Students Association at Christopher Newport University and the chairperson of the board of United Campus Ministries that serves Christopher Newport University. Pastor Nickols represents the Virginia Synod's Peninsula Conference on the board of the Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center, Newport News. He is a trained facilitator in Healthy Congregations and Bridgebuilders. Pastor Nickols is active in the James City County Rotary and serves on its board. Additionally, he was elected to serve a four year term on the Williamsburg-James City County School Board. Pastor Nickols served for two years on the Virginia Synod’s Stewardship of Life Ministry.
Pastor Nickols is married to the former Janell Osborne. They reside in Williamsburg with their daughter Jennifer. Their son, Joel, is a Virginia Commonwealth University student.
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 2:06 PM