Pastor's Room

New pastor for Upper Lake and Lakeport SDA churches 

Pastor Bruce Nicola will now lead two Seventh-day Adventist churches, one in Upper Lake and one in Lakeport. 

LAKE COUNTY – Pastor Bruce Nicola, BA, M. Div., begins his new pastoral call at the Lakeport Community and Upper Lake Seventh-day Adventist churches, beginning Sabbath, Aug. 4.

As with many other rural churches, his duties will be divided between both congregations. Pastor Bruce comes from the Arcata-McKinleyville SDA Church, north of Eureka.

Pastor Nicola was born in Loma Linda. After graduating San Gabriel Academy in 1969, he furthered his education at Pacific Union College and then Andrews University where he obtained his master's in divinity. During this time he also took some time for missionary work in Liberia and became a board-certified chaplain.

He has applied his chaplain talents by supporting a number of substance abuse programs at Loma Linda Community Hospital and Battle Creek Methodist Hospital in Michigan. While in Battle Creek, Pastor Nicola was ordained in 1987.

Twenty-eight years ago Pastor Bruce interned in the Clearlake (Highlands) and Middletown SDA churches, going on to serve as chaplain of St. Helena Hospital. Then Pastor of Churches in Livermore, Weaverville, Hayfork and Lewiston before moving to the Arcata-McKinleyville area.

Worshipers of all faiths are invited to join in welcoming Pastor Bruce Nicola and his wife Ginger to our community. 

He will begin his ministry at the Lakeport Community SDA Church, Aug. 4, and in the Upper Lake SDA Church Aug. 11.