In April of last year, we commenced the process of nominating officer candidates to raise up additional (and much-needed) elders and deacons. We noted the prerequisites that needed to be true already of the person(s) you would nominate:

1. They have proven their ability to work with others in a mature and loving way.

2. They are committed to Trinity’s Mission and Vision.

3. They line up theologically with our denomination, the PCA.

4. Elder nominees are currently spiritual leaders, possibly they have effectively led a Trinity Community Group, or in another volunteer role.

5. Deacon nominees currently are showing, or have effectively shown, generosity, a willingness to serve others, and compassion for the needy.

In addition to these pre-requisites, do they show a willingness or a desire to serve?

You responded resoundingly with the nomination of 47 men! Most of these then entered our officer training process, which started back in June and ran throughout the remainder of 2025. We covered the nature of the offices of elder and deacon. We gave a lot of attention to the importance of Christ-like character and an ability to work graciously with others, to serve, love, and lead in the Gospel. We did a deep dive into our Mission, Vision & Values, and finally, we covered our biblical and theological distinctives.

Throughout the entirety of this, we emphasized that success is not “getting ordained.” Success is being faithful to whatever God has called you to at this season of your life. And with that many people, there are a lot of variables, stories, and personal needs. While from the beginning, some nominees withdrew from the process, most actually completed our training, even if they believed that they would not at this time seek to be ordained. Yet.

Whether it is the needs of a family, time and scheduling limitations due to work, health, conscience, or a sure belief that they’re just not yet ready, many nominees finished the training but deferred ordination until a later time.

But for those who completed the training and believe that they want to serve now, they faced thorough examinations, as our Book of Church Order requires. These inquiries looked into: 1) a brief summary of how they had come to faith, and their devotional practices; 2) a sense of their call and readiness to serve; 3) a review of the ordination vows; 4) a review of their endorsement of Trinity’s Mission, Vision, & Values; 5) a written exam (about 15 pages worth) of their knowledge of the Bible and our theological convictions, along with a verbal exam reviewing these tests; and 6) a review of their understanding of the appropriate reasons to take a break from office (i.e. for marriage, parenting, work, health, etc.)

These nominees have demonstrated an amazing commitment to the work, and they all deserve to be commended for weeks and weeks of meetings, scores of pages read, and conversations had.

But one last step remains. After these exams and our elders’ approval — voted and approved last night at our elders’ meeting — the remaining nominees seeking ordination must be approved by you, the members of Trinity.

On Sunday, March 1st, at our worship services, we will conduct a congregational vote seeking just this — your approval of the nominees for elder and deacon.

This allows you to have the final say. For all that a nominee has invested in terms of time and preparation, they are still serving at your approval. If you are a member of Trinity, will you please do your best to attend in person and vote in this very important process?

The nominees approved to stand for election are:

Deacon Nominees:
• Josue Blanco
• Bob Bodolay
• Chris Cerjan
• Elijah Goodrum
• Josh Henson
• Nathan Patterson
• John Pierce
• Thomas Rule
• Kris Smith

Elder Nominees:
• Bruce Gaynair
• Dean Nederveld
• JR Pierce
• Todd Riggs
• Jason Roland
• Jeff Sandman
• Mike Zavada

On the ballot, you will be asked if you can affirm a nominee. If you have a reason not to do so, you have every right to refrain from approving them. But if you do not know them personally (Trinity is a big church), I would ask you to consider all that they have demonstrated and done, and our elders’ examinations, because we cannot ordain them if you do not elect them. And our elders are recommending them for your affirmation.

At the end of all of this is a clear, simple story. Nominees have submitted themselves to a profound amount of training and scrutiny, and in the end, they are submitting their ability to serve to your approval.