This is part of an ongoing series introducing the leaders, teachers, and staff who make St. Paul a special place.

Nicole Harstad serves on St. Paul’s Mission and Ministry Board and teaches Sunday school for the youngest members of the congregation. A lifelong member of St. Paul, she brings deep roots, genuine love for the community, and a servant’s heart to everything she does.

Born in Merced and baptized at St. Paul in 1992, Nicole was literally raised in the St. Paul family. Her parents were married at St. Paul in 1989 and continue as active members today. Nicole is one of three children, with older and younger brothers she adores. “They’re both married, giving me bonus sisters, and I’m a proud auntie to my younger brother’s two children,” she shares.

Nicole works for a local chemical transport company and is newly married to John Sykes, also a Merced native. The couple has known each other for over 25 years and were wed this fall.

Outside of work and church, Nicole maintains a rich and varied life. She enjoys reading and gaming, tends a backyard vegetable garden and multiple fruit trees, and has taken up canning to preserve summer’s harvests throughout the year. “Canning has become a beloved pastime to keep the tastes of summer’s harvests throughout the year,” she says.

Nicole sees St. Paul’s greatest strength in its people. “I think the greatest strengths we possess are the many people in both church and school that are dedicated in their service to each other and our Lord. We are so blessed to have our elders, board members, Pastor Doua, teachers, all our staff and so many others that are all working toward the same goal — bringing people to Jesus.”

Nicole’s Favorite St. Paul Memory

“My favorite memory of St. Paul was having the Lock-In sleepovers at church. We would stay up most of the night and catch an hour or two of sleep camped out in the Parish Hall on the benches or strewn across the floors. We’d play hide-and-go-seek in the dark and freeze tag, eat copious amounts of junk, and be picked up first thing in the morning completely sleep-deprived and happy.”

Nicole’s Prayer Request

“Please pray for patience, guidance, and allow some grace. Along with the others in service with me, we try to make the best decisions possible and have hearts for Jesus. I’m not alone when I say I love our St. Paul family and only want good things for our campus.”