Joel was born in Casper, Wyoming and was blessed to be raised in a Christian home. His father was raised in an orthodox Jewish home, but became a follower of Jesus through the Christian Business Men’s Association. The faith of both Joel’s parents had a profound influence on him and he devoted his life to ministry at the age of eleven. Joel started college attending Biola University in 1988 and ended up graduating from Cal State Fullerton with a major in Sociology and a minor in Women's Studies in 1993.
He then worked in a home for teens recovering from drug and alcohol addiction in Gilroy. In 1996, Joel married his best friend, Lyn. They have four adopted children, Brittany (born 1999), Jesse (born 2001), Hailey (born 2002), and Troy (born 2003). He has worn many hats in his 20 years of ministry including custodian, children, families, small group, and discipleship ministries. Joel started his ministry as lead pastor of Trinity Church January 1, 2011.
A Few Random Facts
Music: Joel was a Country Disc Jockey for five years.
Sports: While playing high school football, Joel once got a penalty for “praying in the end zone” . . . 15 yards!
Movies: Joel has a collection of over 50 John Wayne movies.
Relationships: Joel and his lovely bride, Lyn, went on their first romantic date one month AFTER they got engaged!
Interests: Joel loves the live theatre and believes every man should see “Les Miserables” and take his wife to see “Phantom of the Opera”.
Avery Stafford: Pastor of Worship Ministries
Avery grew up in a pastor's home in Central California. His passion for music and worship has always been evident throughout his ministry career. A graduate of Abilene Christian University (TX) and Multnomah Biblical Seminary (OR), Avery has served as a staff pastor for churches in California, Texas, Washington, and Oregon.
He is a sought after worship leader and teacher for church events and seminars. As a musical artist, Avery has recorded five albums and received critical acclaim and recognition as a vocalist and songwriter. He also leads Avery Stafford Ministries (ASM), a parachurch 501(c)(3) purposed to serve churches with resources in areas of worship, vocal music, instrumental music, sound and lighting, etc. But his greater passion is to lead God's people in worship through the arts.
At age 7, he confessed the name of Jesus Christ publicly and was baptized in San Jose, CA. And he has been faithfully walking with the Lord ever since. Avery and his wife Nina have three children; Marlea, Stephan, and Kerrington. The Staffords have been serving at Trinity since September 2006.
Ernie Morales: Student Ministries Pastor
Ernie grew up in a small town: Corcoran, California. All of his family still lives in that area. He became a follower of Jesus on August 11, 1996 at The Fatherís House in San Jose. While teaching 1st and 2nd graders in Sunday school, he was asked to volunteer in the youth ministry. It was during the first few years that God spoke to him and let him know he was going to be in full-time ministry serving students. He started attending Pacific Coast Bible College (now Advantage College) while serving in the youth ministry and working full time.
Eventually, he became the youth pastor, and served in that position for four years until God transitioned him to a Pastor of Student Ministries position at Twin Oaks Church for another four years. He loves seeing people come to know Jesus and then help them begin to fulfill the plan that God has for their lives.
A Few Random Facts
The Bourne Trilogy are some of his favorite movies
He gets his hair cut once a week
Pizza is his favorite food
The Dodgers are his favorite baseball team.
Jim Asselin: Community Pastor
Jim came to faith as a young adult through the testimony of an infirm patient at a senior care home. Not long after, trade school and his pursuit of construction management brought him to the South Bay in 1985. He began attending Trinity Church of Sunnyvale in 1989 where he began using his musical gifts leading worship.
His ministry experience includes:
Serving as an Elder board member
Foreign Missionary to Peru
Worship Pastor
Pastor of Spiritual Development
Community Pastor.
Jim is involved with Gateway Neighborhood Center (a community outreach in Sunnyvale), a member of Challenge Team (an outreach for youth in Sunnyvale), and Chaplain for City of Sunnyvale Public Safety. In addition, he is a licensed contractor, songwriter and musician.
Jim and his wife Karen were married in 1990 and have three children, James, Ellen and Zechariah. His hobbies are music, skiing and investing in people.
Tim Reilly: Evangelist
Tim grew up in the Los Angeles area, and moved to the south bay at the age of 13. He grew up angry towards God and spent a lot of time debating "believers" out of their faith.
Through God's spirit, and a family who didn't just show him the gospel but lived it, he came to faith June 13th 2001. Since then, Tim has led many people of all ages to an experiential relationship with Jesus Christ.
Tim married his best friend Erin in 2003. They have 3 beautiful daughters (Reagan born in 2007, Lorelai born in 2008 and Evangeline born in 2011). Tim's tent-making job is running an insurance agency.
He is a gifted Evangelist who leads an Evangelism Training and Equipping ministry called Compelled. Compelled is to train the Church at large on how to share the great news of Christ intentionally, relationally and relatably in our sphere of influence. Tim enjoys talking about Jesus, apologetics and the Red Sox.
Erin Reilly: Early Childhood Director
Erin began attending a church in Sunnyvale when she was four years old and has been a committed follower of Jesus since she was nine years old. Those early years in the church grounded her in the faith while developing in her a love for God's Word.
Erin has served in many different areas, including singing on worship teams and teaching youth small groups. The Holy Spirit has blessed her with a heart and passion for children and helping them have the same type of upbringing she had. It also doesn't hurt that she has a BA in Child Development, a Multiple Subject teaching credential and three beautiful daughters to draw her experience from.
Erin has been attending and serving at Trinity Church since 2009.
Joel was born in Casper, Wyoming and was blessed to be raised in a Christian home. His father was raised in an orthodox Jewish home, but became a follower of Jesus through the Christian Business Men’s Association. The faith of both Joel’s parents had a profound influence on him and he devoted his life to ministry at the age of eleven. Joel started college attending Biola University in 1988 and ended up graduating from Cal State Fullerton with a major in Sociology and a minor in Women's Studies in 1993.
Avery grew up in a pastor's home in Central California. His passion for music and worship has always been evident throughout his ministry career. A graduate of Abilene Christian University (TX) and Multnomah Biblical Seminary (OR), Avery has served as a staff pastor for churches in California, Texas, Washington, and Oregon.
Ernie grew up in a small town: Corcoran, California. All of his family still lives in that area. He became a follower of Jesus on August 11, 1996 at The Fatherís House in San Jose. While teaching 1st and 2nd graders in Sunday school, he was asked to volunteer in the youth ministry. It was during the first few years that God spoke to him and let him know he was going to be in full-time ministry serving students. He started attending Pacific Coast Bible College (now Advantage College) while serving in the youth ministry and working full time.
Jim came to faith as a young adult through the testimony of an infirm patient at a senior care home. Not long after, trade school and his pursuit of construction management brought him to the South Bay in 1985. He began attending Trinity Church of Sunnyvale in 1989 where he began using his musical gifts leading worship.
Tim grew up in the Los Angeles area, and moved to the south bay at the age of 13. He grew up angry towards God and spent a lot of time debating "believers" out of their faith.
Erin began attending a church in Sunnyvale when she was four years old and has been a committed follower of Jesus since she was nine years old. Those early years in the church grounded her in the faith while developing in her a love for God's Word.