Calvary's Leaders
Trevor Behrns
What do you do at Calvary?
My title is Communications and Creative Arts Pastor. I mostly work behind-the-scenes to help create, clarify, design, direct, edit, express, plan, pitch and produce things to support all of the various ministries of Calvary Church in print, on the web and with media as well as by directing worship experiences and special events.
How did you come to Calvary and how long have you been here?
I got a phone call from Ron Rogalski in 1999 during my senior year at Biola. Ron had gotten my number from a favorite Biola professor of mine, Mike Gonzales. Calvary was looking to hire a part-time technical director to run worship services and special events. I gradually transitioned over the years from doing tech to doing design and then eventually into the role I have now overseeing it all.
What is your educational background and training?
I’ve always been into using the technical as a tool for creative expression. From experience with writing, art classes, computer, video, sound, and yearbook at both Bethany Christian Academy and then Calvary Chapel High School to a degree in Communications from Biola University with time spent on staff at Biola’s newspaper (The Chimes) or interning at a recording studio (Love and Laughter Music) to helping run a media production company (Riptide Productions), I’ve managed to gain just enough skill to do what I do.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in the high desert city of Lancaster, CA and came with my family to the OC when I was 2 years old. Since then I’ve lived in Garden Grove, La Mirada, Huntington Beach, Lake Forest, Santa Ana and now I call Old Towne Orange my home.
Tell us about your family...
I grew up with two wonderful parents Hank and Lynne, along with an older brother Tyson and younger sister Tiffany. I met my wife Leslie on a blind date in January 2004. We were married July 9, 2005. I gained three generations of incredible in-laws in the process with a sister-in-law Lisa, mother-in-law Billie and grandma-in-law Tootoo. Lastly, I have an amazing nephew Connor and niece Madison, the kids of my brother Tyson and his wife Shelley.
Tell us how you "popped the question," or how it was popped to you.
I proposed to my beautiful wife on Christmas morning 2004. I asked her to come over to the house I was living at in Lake Forest at the time to help me load up Christmas presents we were taking to each others families later that day. I gave her a card asking her on our very first Christmas if we could spend the rest of our Christmases together. I gave her a white heart-shaped box that held a ring and she said, “yes.”
What is your favorite memory from your time at Calvary Church?
I met my wife here. That was certainly a memorable experience.
Who have been the biggest spiritual influencers in your life?
Both my mom and my dad in unique ways have modeled what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. I also had key men who spoke wisdom and encouragement into my life at key points like Steve Sewell, Paul Root, Jim Stewart, Dave White and Jason Loftis. Some of my fellow staff members here at Calvary like David Mitchell, Jeff Biddle, Matt Davis, Matt Doan, Eric Wakeling and Ron Rogalski have all been a part of shaping who I am in my walk with the Lord.
Favorite place you’ve been in the world and where do you want to go next?
My favorite place I’ve been is definitely Israel. I was so fortunate to be able to go with an amazing group from Calvary in the spring of 2009. It was a life-changing experience.
I love a good road trip. I hope to someday drive all the way up the coast of California through San Francisco, over all the great bridges of Oregon, visit Seattle and wind up somewhere in British Columbia.
When I can't be found at Calvary, I can be found...
On a hike somewhere clearing my head of all the noise.
Hidden Talent?
I learned how to say the entire alphabet backwards when I was in third grade, and I can do it now in under five seconds.
What do you count as the greatest invention of the last 100 years?
I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like without computers. There are some days though when I’m not sure if that’s a great thing or not.
On what reality show would you most want to be a contestant?
I guess they don’t really have contestants, but I’d love to be on Mythbusters.