About Us...

Pastor Nick & Family

A Southern California native, Nick was born and raised in San Juan Capistrano, CA (with a year stint in a cabin at the base of Saddleback mountain). An avid-movie watcher, Nick’s first (real) job was at a movie theater until after high school, where he attended Saddleback College, earning an AA in media. He then attended Biola University where he met his wife, Allison, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in screenwriting with a minor in biblical & theological studies. They married in 2013 after she completed her MDiv at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Nick continued on to Fuller Theological Seminary where he graduated with an MA in New Testament. He has served churches in Redlands and Claremont since 2018 before accepting the call in September 2023 at First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes.

An ordained American Baptist pastor, Nick is currently a PhD candidate in New Testament at Ridley College Melbourne (Australian University of Theology) where he is studying the scope of salvation in Pauline theology under Rev. Dr. Michael Bird. He has published academic articles in Priscilla Papers, Evangelical Review of Theology, and Canadian-American Theological Review and a book with Wipf & Stock on Pauline Sanctification. He also serves on the board of the American Baptist Theological Center, and is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) and the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL).

Nick loves preaching, teaching, listening, and learning. He finds great joy in serving this wonderful historic American Baptist church. Nick is married to Allison who is the Registrar at Trinity Law School and teaches theology for Houston Christian University, and they are the proud parents of Nolan (2020) and Jane (due November 2025).

When he isn’t pastoring or reading theology books or trying to finish his PhD, Nick can be found agonizing over the starting rotation of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the non-existent offensive output of the Texas Rangers, chasing Nolan around the house, drinking coffee, brewing his own cider, and enjoying 90s sitcoms.

Why we are here...

We have been placed in a unique location to serve a diverse community. Our greatest desire is to be of service in the name of Christ to all who will come. Whether it is ministering to the homeless in Wilmington or opening up our church to the Equestrian community that surrounds us, we seek to be part of the life of everyone around us. In serving our neighbors in the South Bay and Los Angeles, we have learned that the most valuable thing we can bring to a person is the time that we spend with them. We have learned that by being present and available that we eventually are invited to join in the journey that God is already doing in their life. We just need to show up where God is already at work and be ready to offer the greatest gift of all, the love and truth of Christ, offered through us.

Our Purpose

To joyously celebrate God – we call this worship! My worship provides me with power to live on; it is my force for living. As I worship the God who loves me, I receive emotional stimulation for life!
To declare salvation through Jesus Christ – we call this outreach! My outreach provides a purpose to live for; it is my focus for living. As I reach out to others with God’s love, I discover my significance in life!
To bring others into relationship with Him and into the nurture of His church – we call this membership! My membership provides me people to live life with; it is my family for living. As I fellowship with God’s family, I experience loving support for my life!
To grow in Christian faith – we call this discipleship! My discipleship provides me with principles to live by; it is my foundation for living. As I mature in God’s love, I enjoy stability in my life!
To equip for the work of ministry to the glory of God – we call this service! My service provides me with a profession to live out; it is my function for living. As I minister with God’s love, I express myself through my life!