Meet the Residents: Trevor Bittner of Center Baptist Church
Trevor, Kim, and Mariah Bittner
As we continue to introduce our Church Residents around the Heartland, enjoy meeting Trevor Bittner at Center Baptist Church.
What prompted you to pursue becoming a Church Resident?
My wife, Kim, and I have served full time with the Navigators Military Ministry at Offutt Air Force Base. Since I retired from the Army Reserve, I no longer serve one weekend a month and have the freedom to commit more time to ministry. I have a Christian Ministry degree from Grace University in Omaha, NE. I want to spend the rest of my days on Earth serving the Lord in vocational ministry.
What steps did you take to become a Church Resident?
I discovered Converge Heartland through a web search. I poured over the beliefs, distinctives, values, and bylaws. I agreed with all I read and pressed forward.
We actually first looked into church planting. I had contact with Steve Krier back and forth but realized being a church planter would not be the best route for my family dynamic.
Through a series of web searches, I found Center Baptist Church and their residency. As I checked their webpage, I saw that I knew the deacon of facilities, Jeff West. I reached out to him, and he lined me up with Pastor Davy Lee. I shared my desire for ministry with Davy, and the ball was rolling. As that was going, I received a lot of guidance and help from Jim Capaldo. Those three men guided me through all of the paperwork and forms to get me on board.
Please share some ways you have grown during your time of Residency.
I was able to jump right into the workings of Center Baptist: men’s meetings, prayer meetings, deacon meetings, care groups, and meetings with members on Sundays. I have grown by leading a men’s meeting and some care groups. I have been stretched in personal relationships and mentoring by the pastors and elders, while keeping my family time as a solid priority. I am growing in learning how to manage all the responsibilities, reading requirements, and family priorities. The reading requirements are challenging as I want to read to comprehend and remember, not just check books off a list.
What have been some joys during your Church Residency?
Joys have been seeing how important the body of Christ is as a Christian. Loving, caring, and fellowshipping is a pleasure as we grow in trust.
My wife is right with me in support as I do all of the studying and go to meetings. She has been a great joy to me for over 32 years now.
What does Church Residency mean to you?
Residency is a “boots on the ground/jump right into it” way of immersing into the church. I am learning through the books I am reading and can put it into immediate practice. I am reading about the church, evangelism, missions, etc., and then carrying out the ideas. My Thursday meetings with Davy give me a greater understanding of what I am reading.
This residency will give me more background knowledge and experience to step into a full-time ministry role.
How has being a Church Resident impacted your family?
There are many meetings, for sure. Center Baptist and my wife are very understanding of my limits. Our church leadership makes sure I am keeping my family as the priority. Kim works every other weekend, so I get most of my reading done while she is at work. We keep family dinners with our 15-year-old daughter a priority, too.
Pastor Davy Lee of Center Baptist Church shared with me how he and the elders and leaders of Center Baptist prepared to host a Church Resident.
What led your church to host a Church Resident?
I’d envisioned Church Residency as a way to steward the resources God had given me. When we first considered this opportunity, our church was in the middle of an intentional revitalization, so I also viewed this as a way for residents to view church revitalization up close and contribute their gifts to help strengthen the church. Our vision became reality with the help of a church partner who reached out to us and asked how they might come alongside us. They are now the primary funding source for the residency.
How did you prepare for hosting a Church Resident?
I attended a “Weekender” seminar through Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., that highlights their residency program and provides a brief breakout on how to implement one. I researched numerous other churches’ programs. I also attended a Send Network day-long seminar in Lincoln, NE, on residencies in the fall of 2023.
What do you believe are some important qualities to look for in a Church Resident
Someone with an authentic testimony who loves Jesus Christ and demonstrates this love through a life of ministry. A Resident meets the biblical character qualifications of an elder. He has an expressed interest in pastoral ministry, is committed to the local church and already serving, and demonstrates an aptitude for shepherding and teaching.
What are some important qualities for a Church Resident to look for in a hosting church?
A potential Church Resident would do well to look for a church that exhibits health in these ways: commitment to teaching and living out the scriptures, leadership passionate about training up pastors and willing to offer many opportunities to learn and grow, and a heart to send/deploy for ministry those with whom it is entrusted.
How do you believe a church can help disciple a Church Resident for future ministry?
Our church focuses on the three key areas to assess and develop future leaders spiritually, academically, and professionally:
Heart (Spiritual Formation): The Resident will be discipled by a sponsor-elder in the church, who will invest in weekly one-on-one discipleship—focusing on care and accountability in spiritual disciplines.
Head (Academic): The Resident will have weekly readings and writing assignments in various disciplines and meet weekly to discuss with a program leader. This varies based on the amount of formal academic training the Resident is pursuing or has already completed.
Hands (Practical Ministry): Resident will serve in a specific area of ministry (based on calling, giftedness, and need), complete a ministry project each year, and be given opportunities to teach and/or preach. Other opportunities may include observing elder meetings, accompanying on visits, preparing for church events, and leading/facilitating Bible studies.
We also plan to have our Resident work through the Converge ordination process, and, when ready, help our Resident pursue ministry opportunities through existing networks.