Pastor Nikhil Chandane

About Pastor Nikhil

Pastor Nikhil was born and raised in Pune, India, by Christian parents. Pastor Nikhil earned his Bachelor’s degree in English through the University of Pune along with his Master’s. He then earned his Master’s of Divinity through Union Biblical Seminary, also in Pune.

       When Pastor Nikhil was in his teens, God impressed upon him the scripture Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” He began to feel God calling him into full-time ministry, and that calling was confirmed to him through Genesis 15:1, Joshua 1:1-9, and 1 Peter 5:2, which he considers his life verses.

       Pastor Nikhil began serving several churches in India, mentoring young Christian men there, teaching Bible classes, and spearheading an annual Bible study camp. He is able to continue much of this through live video streaming platforms such as Zoom. He also continues his father’s work of translating evangelical Christian literature from English to his native Indian language.

       While Nikhil was serving the Lord in these ways, his future wife felt God calling her to missions work. Raised primarily in Colorado and Indiana, Ruth had been on a couple of mission trips to Latin America, but had long held Amy Carmichael, British missionary to India, as a hero of the faith.

       When she was looking for mission work in India, she found out about Nikhil and his ministry. A while after that she came to India on a short mission trip where the two met in person. Shortly after her first visit, they began a long-distance courtship, and two years and a few visits later, Nikhil and Ruth were married in India and started their life together there.

       The couples first two daughters were born in India. Back in the United States, Ruth’s mother became ill with cancer, so Ruth and Nikhil traveled to the U.S. to be with her for a while. Nikhil admits that it was not his plan to remain long in the States, but God had other plans for him. Pastor Nikhil can now see that God was using him and confirming His direction in his life and the life of his family.

       In May of 2025, Pastor Nikhil answered one of the advertisements that Faith Community Bible Church had posted regarding their need for a pastor. Over the course of the next year and two months, Pastor Nikhil and the church communicated back and forth. More importantly, both the church and Pastor Nikhil and his family spent a great deal of time in prayer.  In the space of this time a third daughter was born to Ruth and Nikhil in Texas.

       In Pastor Nikhil’s words, “After spending time in fasting and prayer and prayerfully spending time in the Bible, the Lord confirmed this was the next step He wanted us to take. He also confirmed it further, by counsel given through Godly, seasoned mentors in my life.”

       Faith Community Bible Church extended their call to Pastor Nikhil in the spring of 2026, but housing difficulties delayed his arrival until late July.

       Nikhil states, “The hearts of the people at FCBC are excited to grow deeper in their walk with God and in His Word, and to hold firm to the truth of the Bible. They also really love and care about people, have a heart for the communities around them, and are excited to serve and reach out.”

       In his limited spare time, Nikhil enjoys reading, playing the harmonica, listening to music, target practicing, and learning new things—especially developing mechanical skills.

       “I would like to know the people and life here in a way that would hopefully allow me to serve the Lord and help the community here,” Pastor Nikhil said. “FCBC loves the Lord and loves people; we’re willing to help people in their walk with the Lord. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is a lot of chaos going on in the world and in life, but Jesus is calling. He gives His peace which surpasses all human understanding. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior are given new hearts and become God’s children. We hope people will be able to know Christ and His love through the ministry of FCBC.”