Long before Trina Drayton became a Pastor's wife, she had already discovered something that would define who she is: Trina loves helping people — especially children. Whether working for decades as a therapist for children with disabilities and other serious health challenges, mentoring teenage girls, raising four children of her own or serving the youngest members of LOJ Caldwell, Trina has spent much of her life doing what comes naturally to her — caring for others.
And perhaps that should come as no surprise. One of six siblings, Trina grew up right here in Caldwell and graduated from James Caldwell High School before earning her degree from Montclair State University. She went on to build a career as a Recreational Therapist at Children's Specialized Hospital, eventually becoming a supervisor in its Recreation Therapy Department. That professional experience taught her something she would later bring directly into ministry: children often learn, grow and express themselves best when someone takes the time to meet them where they are.
Trina's life in ministry began well before LOJ Caldwell. She served in several ministries at The Love of Jesus Family Church in Orange, including its Youth Ministry and as a leader of “Teens of Purpose,” an outreach created specifically to mentor teenage girls. It was here, while serving in ministry, that she met Todd. The two became close friends, eventually fell in love and married in 2007 — beginning a partnership in life and ministry that would ultimately help give birth to LOJ Caldwell.
Today, Trina leads our Children's Ministry with the same combination of faith, care and creativity that has characterized both her professional and ministry life. She believes children should not simply learn Sunday School lessons about David and Goliath or Daniel and the lions’ den; they should be taught as early as possible how to know God for themselves. Through Scripture, music, games, storytelling, arts and crafts, and plenty of other fun activities, she helps make God's Word come alive – both easy to understand and remember – so that our children grow in the conviction that Jesus is always present and at work in their daily lives.
But if you ask Trina what matters most to her, the answer will not begin with her degree, career accomplishments or ministry titles. It will begin at home. She and Todd are the proud parents of Isabella, Sean, Noah and Samantha, and family remains at the center of her life. Perhaps that is why the word “Family” means so much at LOJ Caldwell. For Trina, caring for God's family begins much the same way as caring for her own — loving people, encouraging them, making room for them and helping them grow.
