Nast was born on 15 June 1807 in Stuttgart, capital of the German Kingdom of Württemberg, with the original forename Wilhelm.

He was educated at the University of Tübingen with a view to entering the ministry, but preferred literary pursuits, and after his graduation was connected with the press.

He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1835, was licensed to preach, and at the conference of that body in 1837 was appointed to establish a German mission in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He proved so successful in that enterprise that in the course of twenty years German Methodist churches were established in almost every state in the Union, and in various parts of Germany, Norway, and Sweden.

[1] After 1859 he edited the German publications of the Methodist church, and after 1840 was in charge of the Christian Apologist, the organ of his branch.