Team Profile: Rhema Trayner

Gracie

In every great team, there’s someone who steps up to take on the behind-the-scenes responsibilities.

At Liberty Church, Rhema Trayner is that someone. A few days ago I got to sit down with Rhema to talk a little bit about her role and experience at Liberty, and I learned even more so, just how blessed we are to have a leader like her as part of our church family.

How did you get involved in Liberty church?

I was living in Southern California and was involved in another church there. On a visit to New York [my husband] Steve and I knew God was calling us here, so we made the move in October 2010. I truly believed I was supposed to be a part of Liberty even though I didn’t know at all what that would look like.

What is your role at Liberty Church?

My role is ”whatever needs to get done.” I manage all church operations - office, volunteers, database, etc. - Monday through Friday.

Did you anticipate having as large of a role as you have?

The role sort of evolved into what it is now. I signed up to build the church, whatever that looked like!

What has been the most rewarding experience for you at Liberty?

The discipleship - to get involved in people’s lives and be able to see how much they can grow and develop over the course of just a short time. I don’t have an administration job; it’s a people job with administrative clothes on.

I don’t have an administration job; it’s a people job with administrative clothes on.

What advice would you give someone interested in working in church ministry?

With ministry, it’s like you think you’re going to save the world, but what’s put in your hand never looks like that. Never throw out what someone gives you to do just because it doesn’t look like what you thought it would. You have to take the opportunity that’s in front of you, commit to it, and do your best. Commit with your heart, not just your hands.

Commit with your heart, not just your hands.

What would your advice be for someone looking for a new church?

Find a church that feels like home, and stay there through the seasons of life! You can’t build community if you follow around “whatever is happening this week.” Community is built over time. If you never stay anywhere long enough, you won’t have the opportunity to experience true depth in your church relationships.

Why do you think that Liberty already has such a strong sense of family?

Everything starts with leadership. That’s what pours out of Paul and Andi’s lives - that’s how they are in “real” life - and the church reflects that. Being around them as leaders rubs off on you as well, and as a result, it becomes the spirit of the church.

Most memorable moment at Liberty so far?

The very first service in January and having a big role in helping it happen logistically - all the effort that led to that and knowing I had such a big hand in it - and it still went well. It made me confident that I was in the right place, doing the right thing, with the right leaders. We worked up to the launch months and then it was effortless. It was like, wow, I can do things I didn’t think I could do!

What are you most excited about for Liberty’s future?

I’m excited for the new community launching in September and to see how God expands the church in NYC. I’m also excited to continue working together with other churches here in the city. We would be crazy to think that we could do this thing on our own! I think one of the main things that keeps us moving forward is the belief that we will actually see measurable change in a city where that could be hard to believe at first glance. I guess the darker the place spiritually, the bigger the difference light can make.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Still doing whatever it takes, whatever it looks like. My goal is not a “career in ministry”; my goal is to see the people of New York saved, and I’ll be here until that happens.