Leading With Purpose: Pastor Nicole Stellyā€™s Journey of Faith
In this episode of Won’t God Do It?, Dr. Anita Turner welcomes Pastor Nicole T. Stelly of Armed Church in Inglewood, California—a woman deeply rooted in faith, shaped by legacy, and obedient to God’s call. Nicole’s path to pastorship was not straightforward. Though raised in church, she strayed for a season before a divine encounter on a freeway became her turning point. “I couldn’t feel Him,” she says. That moment became her full surrender.
Legacy, Leadership, and Letting Go
Pastor Nicole was spiritually nurtured by her grandmother and father, both former leaders of Armed Church. Over the years, she moved from music ministry to operations, outreach, and finally the pulpit. Her training came not only from formal education and family mentorship, but through intentional discipleship and learning from the Holy Spirit. “God, what’s Your strategy for my life?” is her daily prayer—and it's the question she encourages her team to ask.
Women in Ministry: Standing on the Word
Nicole offers a biblically grounded defense of women in leadership. “God is intentional,” she asserts. From Deborah to Esther to the women acknowledged by Paul in the New Testament, Scripture is clear: women have long been instrumental in God’s work. Nicole didn’t step into her role blindly—she studied, waited for confirmation, and heard God’s call for herself. Her testimony is one of bold obedience to a purpose bigger than herself.
The Balance Between Ministry and Motherhood
As a wife and mother of two, Pastor Nicole is transparent about the tension between pastoral responsibilities and personal life. Guided by advice from her brother, Dr. Rob Thrash, she has implemented boundaries to prioritize her mental, emotional, and physical health. She’s learning to delegate, protect her family time, and lean into grace without guilt.
Relationship, Not Religion
At the heart of Nicole’s message is the importance of a personal relationship with God. Beyond tradition or performance, she seeks intimacy with God in prayer, study, and even casual conversation. “I want You, God,” she says. “None of the rest of this really matters.” It’s this posture of surrender and authenticity that fuels her ministry and invites others to see God's power made real.
