Pastoral Staff of Tampa First Church

Jimmy Cruz - Hispanic & Youth Pastor

As a teenager, Jimmy was challenged by the words of a preacher, “young man! ...young man… Did you know that God has a plan for your life?” Moments later he gave his heart to the Lord. It was then, when he left the altar, he knew God was calling him into Pastoral Ministry.

He worked as Youth Leader for his local church, & later a regional speaker to the youth. His involvement in Festival and Concert planning led him to become technical director for Media & Sound at his local church. In 1994, he became a Youth Pastor for several years & served as a local & regional youth camp director. He has helped to develop & plan short term mission trips, allowing him to travel throughout the continents. He later developed Youth Explosion Ministries, a city wide networking ministry serving youth workers and ministries.

In 2003, he became Associate Pastor in Longwood, Fl. Shortly before the passing of his wife, he was asked to join the internationally known ministry of Evangelist Luis Palau. Being affluent in both English & Spanish, his role was to encourage, lead & train churches and their leadership to get involved in strategic “out of the box” evangelism. Jimmy’s has spoken to hundreds of youth and leaders world wide on anointed empowerment, leadership & the “out of the box church," while also speaking to thousands a message of hope, healing and salvation thru Christ.

Since April 2007, Jimmy has served as the Associate Pastor in Tampa First Church of the Nazarene, leading our Middle School, High School and College & Career Ministries, focusing every opportunity to share the message of the gospel of Jesus, while encouraging leaders & youth to connect for the Kingdom, across barriers of denomination & culture. His passion is to see young people empowered & passionate to serve. While in Tampa, God led him to his lovely wife Rose and together, with his two children Victoria & Jonathan, they now make Tampa Bay their home. Beginning November 1, 2009 Pastor Jimmy is also leading our Second Serivce in Spanish.

Pastor Jimmy's ministry at Tampa First Church has helped further develop the existing HighTide Youth Ministry, branching out to what are known as Lattetude Café, Quest, H2O and REEF.

Administrative Pastor - John Teter

Music Ministries Director - Jeanette Cloutier

Office Administrator & Children's Director - Penny Nichols

Senior Pastor Lynn Nichols

        Pastor Lynn began his ministry at Tampa First on January 4, 2009.  From 1976 to 1982, he traveled with a contemporary Christian band, Deliverance, performing concerts, preaching and ministering around the United States at churches, high schools, camps and other settings.  From 1982 to 1987, he ministered as a Youth/Worship Pastor in Nebraska, Ohio and Missouri.  From 1987 thru to 2008, he ministered as the Lead Pastor at Warren First Church of the Nazarene in Ohio. 

        Pastor Lynn is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and later attended Ashland Theological Seminary where he received his Masters of Divinity.  Pastor Lynn met his wife Penny, on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University.  They later married in 1982 and now have four children:  Peggy (19), Johnathan (17) and twins, Travis and Trevor (13). He enjoys time with his family and being engaged in ministry.  Pastor Lynn loves Jesus and being with people.  The joy of his life is seeing people transformed by God’s grace and love.

• Favorite Food – Not much he doesn’t like or won’t try!  But chocolate chip cookies are his weakness!
• Hobbies – He enjoys riding his bicycle and getting his hands on a Harle
• Favorite Pastime – Reading, watching his kids in sporting events, talking with people about God’s grace & love and building relationships.