Nicole Caldwell-Gross
Favorite TV show or movie
Anything Masterpiece on PBS (Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Endeavour)
Favorite book
Finding Me by Viola Davis
Favorite music or band
Anything Ella Fitzegerald or Beyonce
Favorite Bible verse, parable or passage
“There is a light in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Family
I’m married to Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross and we are outnumbered by our 3 children: Joshua, Olivia and Isabella and our Yorkie: Nina Simone.
Hobbies
Voracious reading, Zumba, Podcasting, Monon Walking, Non-profit board leadership, Writing (New Book The Big Picture: Seeing God’s Dream for Your Life) and Hosting Dinner Parties (Charcuterie Boards are my JAM)!
Where are you from originally?
Originally from the Motor City: Detroit!
Where do you live now?
Noblesville
What do you like most about living there?
I love the pond behind my house where I get a daily reminder of God’s ecosystem of abundance.
What led you to Noblesville First?
God led me to Noblesville First. It wasn’t something I was seeking but God always has a plan that is bigger than we ask, think or imagine.
What do you look forward to most about your new role?
I am most looking forward to GROWING: Growing new relationships, new ministries and new disciples. Let’s GO and GROW people!
What else do you think the congregation might enjoy learning about you?
I have dared myself to go skydiving for my next birthday. Who is coming with me?
Noblesville First is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rev. Nicole Caldwell-Gross as the new senior pastor. As you’ll read in her bio below, she brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and skill to the position and we look forward to the energy and creativity she brings to the role.
Rev. Nicole Caldwell-Gross is a woman on FIRE for Christ! This flame was fanned on the front pew of her grandparents’ church in Detroit, Michigan and lit her path to Mount Holyoke College where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Politics (2007) and Princeton Theological Seminary where she received a Masters of Divinity and was awarded the George L. Rentschler prize in Speech Communication (2010).
A gifted storyteller of the Gospel, Rev. Nicole is an ordained minister, sought after preacher, published author, conference facilitator, coach and millennial ministry thought leader. She began her ministry journey as an associate pastor of youth and non-profit public relations director. She then served as Director of Mission and Community Development for the United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey (2014) where she oversaw 550 congregations’ outreach and community development initiatives. Here she developed and launched Hope centers across the region that provide wrap around services for families experiencing poverty. She regularly preached, equipped and developed teams of disciples in rural, suburban and urban congregations. A skilled resource developer, she successfully procured thousands of grant dollars from the general church to support innovative and impactful community initiatives.
She currently serves as the Pastor of Mission and Mobilization at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis (2018) one of the largest congregations in the United Methodist Church. She leads a team that serves 10,000 people annually in housing, education, justice and food insecurity while deploying over 3,000 volunteers. She also manages over a dozen partnerships, large scale events and program initiatives that increase the depth of ministry impact and provide a plethora of volunteer opportunities.
A visionary and bridge building leader, she has led the congregation in the launch of a small business incubator, Northside Indianapolis’ first Freedom School, and community-wide trainings on becoming Anti-Racist which equipped over 1,500 people. An advocate for children’s education and equity, Nicole was twice awarded Washington Township School’s Superintendent’s Service Award by Dr. Nikki C. Woodson. Her church and community development passion is further engaged as she serves on the boards of Crooked Creek Food Pantry and The Cabaret Theater.
When she’s not serving and leading in the local church she’s innovating and connecting with people in God’s largest mission field: the digital space. In 2018 she founded The Well, a virtual community of women that grew to 500 members in 90 days. She has since transformed this community into a podcast, The Well Unfiltered, which has over 1500 downloads and reaches listeners in 6 countries, 12 states and across Indiana. Noting her ability to connect with people in digital and physical spaces, Nicole has been tapped to develop resources and convene conversations with Amplify Media and Abingdon Press. In 2020 she co-authored Justice or Just Us: A Biblical Call to Confront Racism and in 2022 she will release The Big Picture: Seeing God’s Dream for Your Life with her co-author the Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross.
While God’s call has led Nicole to Dubai, U.A.E. Calcutta, India, Johannesburg, South Africa and Havana, Cuba, her most meaningful mission field is in Noblesville, Indiana where she resides with her partner in marriage and ministry: Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross. They are outnumbered by their three children: Joshua Alexander, Olivia Grace and Isabella Joy.