Elders

         Elders (also known as pastors) are those men whom the congregation chooses to watch over them spiritually, to lead them in the public worship of God, to feed them the Word of God both publicly and privately, to administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and to guard the church from doctrinal or practical dangers.  These elders are to be chosen in accordance with the requirements for such an office which are set forth in Scripture (e.g., 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5, etc.).  A plurality of elders is not only the Biblical pattern, but also a true blessing from the Lord.  These elders may differ from one another in experience and gifts, and one or two may labor more often in the preaching ministry than the others, but they are all equal in authority and title.  The Apostle Paul teaches in Ephesians 4 that pastors and teachers are gifts from the exalted Christ to His church and are therefore to be highly esteemed for their work's sake.                            

Pastor Arden Hodgins

  Arden was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Christian parents and received a good Christian education both in the home and in school. In 1976, when he was 12, Arden's family moved to the Seattle/Tacoma area in Washington State. Though Arden had made a 'profession of faith' when he was much younger, he nevertheless traces his 'true' conversion to his junior year in High School, when he came to grips with his sinful and hopeless condition and was enabled to trust in the Person and Work of Christ alone. A strong spiritual appetite and zeal ensued, as well as a desire to teach and preach the Word of God. Through the counsel of his then-pastor and parents and others, Arden began his studies for the ministry at Baptist Bible College Northwest. Despite the college's own Theological position, Arden graduated a fully-convinced Calvinist. During his time at BBCNW, Arden married Dani, and together they served as Youth Leaders for about two years in a small Baptist Church in the Seattle area. During these two years, Arden's convictions deepened as he continued to study and teach the Reformed Faith. In 1986, Arden and Dani began attending Providence Reformed Baptist Church in University Place, WA, pastored by Tom Lyon. At first, Arden lost all desire to preach, sensing that there was so much more to learn (and 'un-learn'). But with the encouragement and mentorship of Pastor Lyon, along with many opportunities to preach and teach given to him at Providence, Arden's pursuit of the gospel ministry resumed. During his nine years at Providence, Arden worked at The Boeing Commercial Airplane Company, while also taking coursework at Washington State Baptist Teachers College, Highline College, and Western Reformed Seminary. In 1995, with the blessing of Providence Reformed Baptist Church, Arden accepted a call to be the pastor of a church-plant in Lewiston, Idaho. For ten years Arden labored as pastor of Port Cities Reformed Baptist Church in Lewiston, while raising three precious daughters. During this time, he also took correspondence courses and earned another Bachelor's degree from Louisiana Baptist University. In 2005, Arden accepted a call to be pastor of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, California, where he has been laboring ever since. Besides the ministry of the Word, Arden enjoys fishing, cooking, reading, and spending time with family.

Pastor Rick Horist 

  Rick was born in Evanston, IL to a Catholic family. His parents grew tired of the cold weather of IL and relocated to Southern California when Rick was three. Being raised Catholic, Rick was devout in this false religion until he heard the Gospel at 26. The Lord saved Rick and his wife Karen around the time of their wedding in 1979. They attended a Baptist church for five years in Lake Forest, CA before transferring to Trinity Baptist Church in 1986. Rick served as a deacon for two years and was ordained as an elder in 1989. Rick and Karen have two sons, Bryan and Kyle, who profess faith in Jesus Christ and are members of the church. In his free time, Rick enjoys riding his bike down to the beach twice a week, and a weight lifting and stretching routine to alleviate back pain.

  Pastor Sam Renihan

  Sam was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, the fourth of five children.  He grew up in a Reformed Baptist home and church under the teaching and preaching of his father, a Reformed Baptist pastor.  At age five his family moved to Wisconsin for two years while his father pursued a doctoral degree.  Two years later they moved back to Massachusetts where his father took up a pastorate in the city of Worcester.  At age 11, the Renihans moved to southern California where Sam's dad took on the role of professor at the Institute of Reformed Baptist studies.  Although he cannot pinpoint a specific moment in which he was converted, Sam was baptized at age 14 upon profession of faith.  In 2006, after his first year of college, Sam married Kimberly Winton.  In 2008 they were blessed with a son, Owen.  Sam graduated from the University of California, Irvine in 2009 with a Bachelor's degree in Spanish Literature and Culture.  Having felt an internal call to the ministry, largely fueled by a gradual external call from TRBC, Sam enrolled in Westminster Seminary California and the Institute of Reformed Baptist studies.  In 2012 he graduated from Westminster as a Master of Divinity.  In September of 2012 Sam was ordained and installed at Trinity Reformed Baptist Church.  Aside from ministerial labors Sam enjoys good food, reading, playing & listening to music, and playing with his son, Owen.

Pastor George Thomason

  George "made a decision" in 1975 and was saved by God many months later through knowledge gained from the Scriptures. He was extremely quiet in high school, but grew in fellowship and leadership with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Arizona where he met Dianne in 1984. They were married in 1986 and have four children. Drawn from a non-denominational and charismatic background, he discovered Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in 1987. He was a deacon and treasurer for seven years and then ordained as pastor in 1996. George has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from USC and has worked in aerospace for the space shuttle and other satellite programs. He enjoys beach days and cabin trips with family as well as reading, computers, finances, and administration. George suffered a near fatal pulmonary embolism in 2003, and the Lord has graciously recovered him. He rejoices in God's kindness and loves to behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.   

Pastor Kirk Winton  

  Kirk was raised in a devout Roman Catholic family into his mid teens until his parents' were converted to Christ. Through his parents' testimony and being further exposed to the gospel through Reformed literature, He was brought to a saving knowledge of Christ in the early 70's. In 1978 Kirk and his wife Julie became members in a Reformed Baptist assembly that would later become TRBC through a church merger. After serving as a Deacon for 15 years, Kirk was called to the eldership of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in 1996. Kirk and his wife Julie have been married for 35 years and have three adult, believing daughters, Amy, Jill and Kimberly; as well as three grand-children, Zachary, Hannah and Owen. Kirk is currently working part time for the church in the area of counseling. He enjoys his time with his family as well as gardening and travel.

Click here to meet the Deacons of TRBC.