NICKI MINAJ I FLEWED OUT MY PASTOR … To Officiate My Wedding

Nicki Minaj wanted a familiar face to help her tie the knot … so she brought in her pastor from the other side of the U.S. of A. to officiate the ceremony.

Sources close to Nicki tell TMZ … the singer flew out her pastor, Lydia Woodson-Sloley, from Brooklyn to Los Angeles for her nuptials with Kenneth Petty.

We’re told Nicki and Pastor Lydia — who fancies herself as a poet, author, Christian life coach and music producer — go way back, so Nicki just had to have her as the wedding minister.

Lydia founded “Life in Its Poetic Form Christian Ministries” way back in 2000, and Nicki’s a huge supporter of her work — even thanking her in front of millions of people at the 2015 VMAs after accepting the award for best hip-hop video.

Nicki and Pastor Lydia also joined forces in 2017 to rebuild a village in India, making sure people there gained access to clean water.

We broke the story … Nicki and Kenneth got hitched Monday in L.A. in a low-key ceremony, rushing to the altar because their marriage license was set to expire at month’s end.

Nicki and Kenneth are following the blueprint of Justin and Hailey —

no-frills nuptials, followed by a church service and blowout celebration — so it’s a good bet Pastor Lydia will continue to be involved moving forward.