A fourth degree black belt in karate and one of the original pioneers of cage fighting, Nico Hill fought in Russia, Brazil, and the United States. As a martial arts expert, he was known as “Nico the Dragon” and starred in a TV series and many action feature films. Onscreen, he played the tough guy who always came out on top. Off-screen, he was sinking in a seemingly bottomless pit of despair. He lived life fast and hard — custom Harleys, expensive cars, women, money, alcohol, and drugs. At rock bottom, he decided to end his life by overdosing on crystal meth.
But then, the “Voice” that had spoken to him as a child returned, calling him to make a promise. Just days away from his death wish becoming reality, Hill cried out to God, “Lord, if you save me and give me peace of mind, I will cease and desist from this darkness and try to be your soldier.” Today, he lives by that promise, devoting his life to saving others from making the wrong choices that nearly robbed him of his life and telling them about the love of God.
After being rescued from the brink of despair, Hill founded God’s Soldier Ministries, an independent ministry meant to reach the dark underworld of hardened prisoners and broken drug addicts. In five years, the ministry grew beyond his expectations. His personal testimony was published in the book “Called From the Abyss,” co-authored by Ken Wade.
Debra Brill, North American Division vice president for ministries, said, “Nico’s message is as close to presenting the Great Controversy in its most horrific and unglamorous reality of good versus evil as I’ve ever heard.” From California to Illinois to Texas, Ohio, and Kansas, Hill speaks at prisons, churches, schools, rehab facilities, and juvenile detention centers, as well as ministering to the homeless and conducting Celebrate Recovery classes for men every Monday night at Eagle Rock church.
“Monday nights are such a blessing,” Hill said. “They are a perfect illustration of the power of the Holy Spirit in our community. These people are broken, lost, addicted, and homeless. When I first started this, they wouldn’t listen to the word of God in any shape or form. Now, they listen to the Word, share testimonies, and ask for personal prayer.”
The L.A. Metro Region committee has endorsed God’s Soldier Ministries as one of the outreach ministries of the region. “Nico’s testimony speaks to the heart,” said Elder Gerard Kiemeney, L.A. Metro Region director. “As you listen to his story, you can sense the universal appeal of the Holy Spirit. Give Nico a listen, and you will hear God speaking through this humble servant of Jesus.”
