FORT WORTH (BP) – Imagine being a child at the mall asking Santa Claus for a wish he cannot possibly fulfill. Now imagine watching as Santa bows his head in prayer to ask God to make your wish come true.
The moment might be unforgettable.
For Bruce Hickman, chaplain for the Texas-based Lone Star Santas and a retired pastor, the rare but God-given opportunity to pray with a child in a secular setting is one reason he devotes hours each Christmas season serving as Santa Claus.
At the mall, when Hickman heard the child’s request that her grandmother be home from the hospital for Christmas, he secured the mother’s permission to pray, then bowed his head and quietly asked God to heal the grandmother.
“I don’t know any results and I don’t know what the organizer of the event thought,” Hickman explained. “But there was a need. There was an opportunity. And the Lord had me there.”
Raised as a “missionary kid,” Bruce is fluent in Spanish and holds two master degrees and a doctor of ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He brings 20 years of pastoral ministry and experience in working with special needs children to the job.
A professional Santa since 2004, Bruce and his wife Toni – “Mrs. Claus” – see what they do as both a ministry and a business. As a business, Toni sews and sells her “Santa Casual” clothing line to members that includes Santa gear suitable for the often mild winters of Texas. As Santa, Bruce is booked daily – often twice daily – from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day.
The couple is available for tree lightings, public as well as private events, cookie-baking opportunities with Mrs. Claus, and other events, according to the organization’s website.
Though Mrs. Claus is not as much in demand as Santa, Toni said the “Mrs. Claus” aspect of the business is growing and that her role is important. Children who are hesitant to go to Santa will often come to “Mrs. Claus,” she explained.
“Santa has the starring role,” Toni said. “I am happy as a supporting actress.”
While some may be surprised at a pastor working as Santa, others see that God uses believers’ connections with the culture as opportunities for the Gospel.
Todd Pylant, pastor of First Baptist Church, Benbrook, Texas, where Bruce and Toni are members, said the couple’s work reminds him of Paul’s prayer in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. Paul prayed for believers who had stepped out in faith determined to do good works, yet who recognized they “still needed God’s power” to accomplish that work, Pylant explained.
“Bruce and Toni are doing the same,” Pylant said. “Not only do they feel called to this work, but they are resolving to do good, to put themselves in positions where God can work through them, and then are depending on God’s power to do something only He can do.”
The couple’s venture into the Santa “business” came after Bruce’s co-worker 21 years ago recognized that his white beard and “jolly” belly fit him for the part. From there, the business side took off. Soon after, the couple joined Lone Star Santas, a new organization at the time.
When the organization learned Bruce was a pastor, they enlisted him to give a devotional. Leaders soon realized the need for a chaplain and Bruce was asked to fill the role.
Bruce leads in worship and prayer at Lone Star Santas’ gatherings. Throughout the year, he makes hospital visits, leads or participates in funerals, and prays for and attends to members’ spiritual needs.
“I act as their pastor,” Bruce explained.
As the organization grew, so did the need for chaplains. Bruce is chaplain for the North Texas region of Lone Star Santas and works alongside three chaplains from other regions across the state to serve more than 100 Santas. Together, the chaplains formalized a “Code of Ethics for Santas” a few years ago.
For the organization’s upcoming annual meeting and service project, Bruce will lead the group in assembling hygiene kits to be distributed by a local non-profit.
Though the story told to children has Santa at the North Pole making toys all year, Bruce and his fellow Santas collect and deliver toys to children impacted by a home fire or a natural disaster.
Children’s needs too often are overlooked in times of disaster, Bruce explained. In those moments, Lone Star Santas come with Convoys of Toys, trailers filled with gifts for the children.
Recently, the organization arrived in Kerrville, Texas, to serve a region devastated by severe flooding in July. About 30 members participated, and their gift giveaway allowed about 275 adults and children to select Christmas gifts.
Prior to the giveaway, Bruce gave a morning devotional drawing from Psalm 1 and led the group in a time of prayer. When families arrived, Bruce was in his Santa “chair” to welcome them.
“Bruce is soft-spoken, which is good for putting parents and children at ease,” Toni said.
The long, snowy white beard Bruce keeps all year can draw looks and comments from children whenever they are in public.
Recently, a mother approached the couple to apologize for her child’s excited comments about seeing “Santa.” Bruce and Toni don’t mind, they assured her, but they do keep their business cards handy.
Following the Kerrville event, Bruce was approached by a member who saw a need for bringing men in the group together “who are prayer warriors” to pray, Bruce explained. He added, “So here comes another ministry opportunity.”
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