Phil Thomas
Creative Director
Meet Phil! Phil oversees our creative department which entails our worship team, media team and graphics team here at Nickel City Church. Phil has a real passion for playing instruments and creating music!
He was born in Los Angeles, CA and later grew up in Toronto Canada where his dad pastors a church, and where he later met and married the love of his life, Christina.
God became most real to Phil when he undoubtedly experienced His presence during a church service. It was something so real he couldn’t ignore it- that is a huge reason why Phil is now passionate about leading others into that same powerful presence!
Phil is a full time social worker. He has a heart to help others learn truth, and implements that desire into his leadership style at NCC. He’s excitedly pursuing God and all He has in store for NCC and the Buffalo community! Phil leads with vigor, commitment, and a desire for excellence.
When he isn’t pouring himself out at church, you might find him eating Mexican food, working on a music album, cooking a new recipe, or being a great dad to his kids, Judah and Keturah!
Phil’s favorite Scripture Verse: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
He was born in Los Angeles, CA and later grew up in Toronto Canada where his dad pastors a church, and where he later met and married the love of his life, Christina.
God became most real to Phil when he undoubtedly experienced His presence during a church service. It was something so real he couldn’t ignore it- that is a huge reason why Phil is now passionate about leading others into that same powerful presence!
Phil is a full time social worker. He has a heart to help others learn truth, and implements that desire into his leadership style at NCC. He’s excitedly pursuing God and all He has in store for NCC and the Buffalo community! Phil leads with vigor, commitment, and a desire for excellence.
When he isn’t pouring himself out at church, you might find him eating Mexican food, working on a music album, cooking a new recipe, or being a great dad to his kids, Judah and Keturah!
Phil’s favorite Scripture Verse: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
Ian Ivancic
Operations Director
Meet Ian! He’s our Operations Director here at Nickel City Church, but his heart and talents don't start and end there! He and his wife Chelsea (see below) grew up in Niagara Falls, NY and met at NFHS where they became high school sweethearts (awww).
Ian works full time as an engineer. He’s detail oriented, down to earth, and enjoys playing and watching sports.
Ian experienced God in a real and genuine way for the first time at 13 years old during a youth retreat. Even though he grew up in church, his journey with God became most alive and active to him after he started attending NCC and dove all in. He is not only passionate about leading his team at the church, but leading people to know the goodness of God!
When he’s not at the church serving or leading projects, you might find him creating excel spread sheets for fun, watching The Office with his wife, being a dad, or cheering on the Buffalo Bills.
Ian’s Favorite Scripture Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 19:11
Ian works full time as an engineer. He’s detail oriented, down to earth, and enjoys playing and watching sports.
Ian experienced God in a real and genuine way for the first time at 13 years old during a youth retreat. Even though he grew up in church, his journey with God became most alive and active to him after he started attending NCC and dove all in. He is not only passionate about leading his team at the church, but leading people to know the goodness of God!
When he’s not at the church serving or leading projects, you might find him creating excel spread sheets for fun, watching The Office with his wife, being a dad, or cheering on the Buffalo Bills.
Ian’s Favorite Scripture Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 19:11
Chelsea Ivancic
Communications Director
Say hi to Chelsea! She’s one of our Directors here at NCC and is married to Ian (see above).
She oversees all of our online communications team from social media, to emails and even our website and app, as well as our Next Steps and Care teams. But on a Sunday you can catch her either on a mic or behind a camera... say cheese!!!
Chelsea is fun and full of creativity. She is passionate about pursuing God and the fullness of who He is and all He has in store for us.
God first became real to her when she started attending church with Ian and his family during high school. Since then, she has placed Him at the center of her life and fully embraced Him. For that reason, Chelsea leads with humility, grace, and a strong confidence of who God is!
When she isn’t at church, you might find her crafting, thrifting, pranking Ian, or being a mom to their son Carter and daughter Annie!
Chelsea’s favorite Scripture Verse: “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!" Psalm 113:3
She oversees all of our online communications team from social media, to emails and even our website and app, as well as our Next Steps and Care teams. But on a Sunday you can catch her either on a mic or behind a camera... say cheese!!!
Chelsea is fun and full of creativity. She is passionate about pursuing God and the fullness of who He is and all He has in store for us.
God first became real to her when she started attending church with Ian and his family during high school. Since then, she has placed Him at the center of her life and fully embraced Him. For that reason, Chelsea leads with humility, grace, and a strong confidence of who God is!
When she isn’t at church, you might find her crafting, thrifting, pranking Ian, or being a mom to their son Carter and daughter Annie!
Chelsea’s favorite Scripture Verse: “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!" Psalm 113:3
Jada Wise
Service Director
Say hi to Jada! Jada is one of our Directors here at NCC. You'll often see her front and center on the microphone, but she also does a lot of valuable behind the scenes work for the church!
Jada was born in Cape May, New Jersey but later moved to central PA where she eventually met and married her husband Zack.
Jada didn’t grow up in church, but discovered who God was later on when she branched off on her own attending Liberty University. Feeling lost and confused, she found herself when she found God, and committed to living a life that honors Him. One of her favorite things about NCC is an environment that cultivates meaningful relationships that challenge her to grow.
Jada is fun, down to earth, and easy to talk to. She leads with dedication, excellence, and a desire for godliness.
When she isn’t at church, you might find her going for runs or lifting weights, eating fudge-y brownies, or enjoying motherhood as she raises their sons, Roman and Ethan.
Jada’s Favorite Scripture Verse: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Jada was born in Cape May, New Jersey but later moved to central PA where she eventually met and married her husband Zack.
Jada didn’t grow up in church, but discovered who God was later on when she branched off on her own attending Liberty University. Feeling lost and confused, she found herself when she found God, and committed to living a life that honors Him. One of her favorite things about NCC is an environment that cultivates meaningful relationships that challenge her to grow.
Jada is fun, down to earth, and easy to talk to. She leads with dedication, excellence, and a desire for godliness.
When she isn’t at church, you might find her going for runs or lifting weights, eating fudge-y brownies, or enjoying motherhood as she raises their sons, Roman and Ethan.
Jada’s Favorite Scripture Verse: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Danielle Gale
Hospitality Director
Say hi to Danielle! She oversees all things hospitality, from the moment you walk in and are greeted at the doors by out team, all the way to the warm cup of coffee waiting for you in the cafe, it has Danielle's fingerprints on it and heart behind it!
Although Danielle didn't grow up in church, the second she said YES to Jesus it's been a fast track of her jumping ALL IN to all that God had in store for her! She has always had a heart for hospitality and through her saying yes to God He revealed to her that it wasn't just a personality trait- it was a part of His purpose for her life!
Through her passion and calling to hospitality God has revealed to Danielle how she gets to reflect His love in everyday ways to others! Danielle said she simply loves that through leading the hospitality team and ministry she gets to make people feel seen and welcomed by making sure they have a space where they can freely worship God and grow nearer to Him!
When she's not at church you can find Danielle soaking in the beauty of Gods creation in her garden! She has quite the green thumb!
Danielle's favorite Scripture verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Although Danielle didn't grow up in church, the second she said YES to Jesus it's been a fast track of her jumping ALL IN to all that God had in store for her! She has always had a heart for hospitality and through her saying yes to God He revealed to her that it wasn't just a personality trait- it was a part of His purpose for her life!
Through her passion and calling to hospitality God has revealed to Danielle how she gets to reflect His love in everyday ways to others! Danielle said she simply loves that through leading the hospitality team and ministry she gets to make people feel seen and welcomed by making sure they have a space where they can freely worship God and grow nearer to Him!
When she's not at church you can find Danielle soaking in the beauty of Gods creation in her garden! She has quite the green thumb!
Danielle's favorite Scripture verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13