Elder Jonathan J. Kyle Nicholson, Pastor
Elder Jonathan J. Kyle Nicholson was born to the late Bishop Alfred L Nicholson and Evangelist Iris Meeks Nicholson on August 19, 1980, in Hackensack, New Jersey. He is a 4th generation preacher and lifelong student of best practices in church health and leadership. He always excelled in music as a youth and credits God for the anointing early in his life for music and ministry. He and his older brother, Deacon Tiwan Nicholson, were the original music department of Gates of Faith Ministries, the church founded by Bishop Nicholson in 1985. Elder Nicholson attended Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. He married his college sweetheart, the former Kesha Burnette, and they will celebrate 18 years of honorable marriage in the sight of the Lord on October 1, 2023. To this union they have been blessed with two wonderful sons, Joshua Kyle and Jonathan Christian
Elder Nicholson’s call to resounded throughout his formative years, but he finally answered the call to the Gospel preaching ministry in 2006. After extensive training, he was licensed to minister in 2008 under the auspices of the 3rd Jurisdiction of Virginia, COGIC under the late Bishop LE. Willis Sr. He was ordained as an Elder under the auspices of the Virginia 4th Jurisdiction. Bishop G. Wesley Hardy, Prelate Elder Nicholson served his father. Bishop Nicholson in several roles: the most dear to his heart being “Co-Pastor alongside Bishop Nicholson at Gates of Faith Ministries, Elder Nicholson serves as the District AIM Chairman of the Richmond South District, the work that was founded by Bishop Nicholson. He serves as the Vice President of both the Music Ministry and YPWW (Young People Willing Workers), as well as the Secretary of the General Council of Pastors and Elders for the Virginia 4th Jurisdiction. COGIC. Elder Nicholson also serves in the National
Church of God in Christ in the Mens Ministry Institute as an assistant to the dean, under Bishop Michael B. Golden Jr. and Bishop Patrick L. Wooden Sr. He is a contributor and developer of the TEAC (Teacher Effectiveness and Advancement Certification) program offered by the International Sunday School Department, under President Mark Ellis.
Elder Nicholson is passionate about the advancement of the Kingdom of GOD in the earth, throughout the generations and has dedicated his life in ministry to the cause of Discipleship and Dominion. He is an advocate for church health. and believes that while there should be a perfecting of the saints, there must also be a protection of the perfecting process. He is passionate about helping the Body of Christ establish a culture that promotes spiritual and organizational health. He believes that while Christ built the Church, it is the responsibility of Church Leadership to design the Church’s Culture for maximum Kingdom impact.
To that end, Elder Nicholson is a “Church Culture@tect”, that is, an architect for Church Culture. He has taught extensively on church cultural design and cohesiveness in workshops and symposiums. Elder Nicholson has penned his first book entitled “Church eMERGEncy: Create Intergenerational Synergy NOW!” and has become a recognized authority in Church Health, Culture, and Intergenerational Ministry.