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 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 34 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.
