We run to you and with you because no one runs alone.
We run to you and with you because no one runs alone.
Our Mission
We are on a mission to love people where they are. Our heart is to help lead them into a full life that Jesus promises, and launch them into their God-Given purpose.
LOVE
Each of us know someone who is far from God, Jesus asks us to love them where they are.
(Matthew 22:39)
LEAD
Jesus also commissioned us to “make disciples,” so we lead people to trust Jesus with more.
(Matthew 28:19)
LAUNCH
We believe that Jesus has a calling for each one of His children to live on mission wherever they go, launching them into their God-given Purpose. (Psalm 139:13-16)
Our VISION for Buffalo Church is to…
MAKE FOLLOWERS
Jesus commanded us to make followers (Matt. 28:18-19) of the Gospel. To baptize them, teach them, and then train them for the works of the church (Eph. 4:12). We will teach people how to pray, read the Bible, and tell others about the love of Jesus.
BLESS FAMILIES
We believe God has placed us uniquely in the city of Helena to be a blessing to the families, communities, and city we love (Matt. 22:39, Heb. 13:16). We will focus on building healthy marriages and pouring into the next generation.
SERVE HELENA
God has called us to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus. To serve others and show them the love of Jesus as we care for our city (Phil. 2:7, John 13:34-35). We will partner with nonprofits and serve people through local outreach.
Our Values
WE PRAY FIRST
Prayer is the way we stay on God’s Agenda and how He reveals His will for our church and our lives. So, we pray first.
JESUS AT THE CENTER
We are passionate about the Presence of God and developing dependency on Him, so that we may live a life that looks more like Jesus. Because we love Him, we trust His Word and believe what He said.
SPEAK LIFE
It is our desire to help our neighbors, friends and coworkers to feel the love of Jesus before they ever step foot inside our church. We call out the good in others, encourage them prayerfully and extend a helping hand.
HAVE FUN
We take God seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We believe that laughter brings hope and healing. Following Jesus is anything but boring, so our church shouldn’t be either.
RAISE UP LEADERS
We believe God uses us to raise up the next generation of leaders. We are called to lead, not sit on the sidelines. It is our responsibility to steward the next generation of leaders both in the church and in the community.
THE MISSION WINS
Whatever is mission critical for Kingdom advancement takes precedent over our emotions, desires and preferences for the sake of the vision.
Why Buffalo?
We wanted to choose a name that was both significant to the area of Montana and held great meaning for the people of our church.
Buffalos are not only known for their strength and steadfast stance, but they also run through storms.
When a storm begins to develop near a herd of buffalos, instead of running away from the storm, the buffalos will turn toward the storm, face it head on, and run through it.
This is who Buffalo Church will be. A community of people who will link arms and run through the storms of life together. No matter what comes, we will be a force for Jesus!
Like the father to his son in Luke 15:20, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
OUR HEARTS DESIRE IS TO RUN TO YOU AND WITH YOU, BECAUSE WE ARE FOR YOU!
Our Beliefs
We are committed to sound Biblical theology. Even though our methods and worship styles may be progressive, our doctrines are as traditional as they come. Below you’ll find our statements of faith to be quite similar to the vast majority of evangelical churches. And even though we are a contemporary church, we are accountable to two large and notable evangelical organizations, The Wesleyan Church and the Association of Related Churches.
OUR SENDING CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FAITH
The sole basis of our belief is the Bible. The Scripture in its entirety is composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, which originated with God, and was given through the instrumentality of many different chosen authors.
We believe that there is one living, true, Holy God, eternally existent in the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus was miraculously conceived, born of a virgin, and sinless in life. Christ was fully man and fully God, walked our earth, lived a life of obedience, suffered at the hands of men, and died on the cross. He paid the price for the sins of all, was resurrected from the dead and enthroned at God’s right hand as our Intercessor.
Salvation is wholly a work of God’s free grace, received by repentance and faith. Each person can be made new in Christ by the Holy Spirit and thereafter continuously grow in the knowledge of God.
We are a Wesleyan Church that is held accountable by the Northwest District of the Wesleyan Church.
Our Team
TODD + MICAH met in college at Indiana Wesleyan University. They were married in 2004 - Micah with a music degree and Todd with his sights on serving in the local church. Todd and Micah love to travel, hike, and spend time with their three favorite people - their kids. God has blessed them with a beautiful family, and they are excited to be raising their family in Helena.
Part of their story is unseen; Micah and Todd lost 2 babies in the season of having their children. One, a miscarriage in 2009, and another, Jacob, born on 4/6/13. This heartbreaking loss in their family has shaped the way Todd and Micah lead ministry. They care deeply, they know and believe in the power of Hope – they strive to overflow with a Hope that only comes through the amazing power of the Holy Spirit. They long to serve others and help them find their Hope in Jesus as they have.
TODD NICHOLSON
Lead Pastor
MICAH NICHOLSON
Ministry Lead
After completing his Religion Degree in Intercultural Studies from Indiana Wesleyan, Todd and Micah have served at 3 different churches before planting Buffalo Church. While serving at Emmanuel Church in Maryland, Todd was Ordained in the Wesleyan Denomination and served as a Student Pastor for 11 years at Emmanuel Church and Skyline Church, and then a Spiritual Formation Pastor and Campus Pastor for 6 years at 12Stone Church.
In 2021, Todd and Micah believe God was calling them to go “all-in” for Helena, Montana to plant a brand-new church called Buffalo Church. On January 29th of 2023, God brought that vision to a reality when the church launched with over 350 people.
DAKOTA BLUE
Kids Lead
ANGIE HOWELL
Administration Lead
Angie@Buffalo.Church
Our Partners
The Associated of Related Churches (ARC) is an association of related churches working with church planters and church leaders to provide support, guidance, and resources to launch and grow healthy, life-giving churches.
12Stone Church is a large, multi-site church in Atlanta. Nationally known for their investment in church leadership, 12Stone is leading a cohort of young, innovative church plants bridging denominational differences for the cause of Christ.
Skyline Church is a multi-site, evangelical megachurch with its main campus in East County San Diego. Skyline’s purpose is to help people find and follow Jesus seven days a week! Skyline believes in the relentless dedication to teaching the truth and relevance of scripture, passionately pursuing the lost, and producing champions for Christ.
The Wesleyan church is a movement with a rich tradition and inspiring history in America. Specifically, The Northwest District is composed of over 75 churches from Alaska to Utah. The district places a high value on team spirit that embraces us all – no matter the size or location of the church. Every church matters!
Emmanuel Church is a multi-site, evangelical megachurch with its main campus in Salisbury, Maryland. Their mission is to reach people by “Engaging Everyone, Everywhere.” Emmanuel believes their highest calling is to spread the Gospel of Jesus through evangelism, discipleship, and planting churches.
Bethlehem Church is a multi-site church based in Bethlehem, GA that exists to lead people to discover new life in Christ and is nationally known for its commitment to being a church for all people with a heavy emphasis on special needs families. Bethlehem is committed to building a better community by serving through multiple strategic partners across 3 church campuses. Their desire to support the "local Church" is paramount not only in Georgia but nationally and internationally.