Wednesday's Woman: Nicole Lock

Nicole Lock had planned to teach French at the high school level. Part of that goal was realized. As associate pastor of adult discipleship at Westminster Presbyterian Church, she's just doing a different kind of teaching.

Lock, a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary in 2007 and ordained in 2009, and began serving her first ordained call as associate pastor for adult discipleship at Westminster.  She participates in oversees Sunday School and Wednesday night classes, as well as other small group opportunities for adults, the deacon ministry, and the Stephen ministry.

“What I enjoy most is the people,” said Lock, 37, about her work. “It’s an amazing, wonderful, caring congregation.”

Lock studied French at Davidson College, north of Charlotte. She also traveled to France and “loved being able to communicate with people from all different cultures,” she said.

However, she had also volunteered and enjoyed her experiences with Young Life, a non-denominational Christian ministry, throughout college.

“As graduation got closer, God kept reminding me of that time I had with Young Life,” she recalled.

She was a Young Life intern for two years, participated in a Young Life church partnership in Charlotte from 1998-2001, then decided to get out of her comfort zone by applying for a position at a church in Norfolk,Va.

She got a call from the Norfolk church the next day. She became the director of youth ministries there before moving with husband James Lock, three years later, back to Atlanta in late 2008. She started her work with Westminster in January 2009.

“I have a huge heart for missions,” said Lock, who added that local, community outreach is just as important as farther-reaching mission work. “I was looking for a position for a missions pastor. We’re sharing Christ’s love and sharing Christ’s hope.”

“One of my biggest passions in ministry is small groups,” she continued. The church is working on developing holistic small groups that have several components –study, prayer, fellowship, and missions.

Lock’s energy and inspiration come from influences close to her heart, including her mother, Barbara Howard, and her grandmother, Laurene Buist.

 “The women who have most inspired me aren’t necessarily famous,” she said.  Her inspirations live “everyday, authentic, transparent lives with a joy for serving others. They keep on dancing through the sun and the rain.”