BEYOND - Creating Impact Beyond Our City - Learn More Here
Trellis emerged from a group of leaders and pastors who had been praying for Costa Mesa for 15 years that were convicted it was time to move beyond prayer to more effective collaboration with one another as well as with other leaders in the city. The initial gathering to share this vision included 40 leaders from throughout the city, involved mapping out current efforts and resources throughout the city by various churches, non-profits, and agencies. On the very day of that initial gathering a city employee who had received a pink slip, took his own life by jumping off the top of city hall. As we rallied around serving the city pertaining to this tragedy, it became a galvanizing event and helped us see and experience the value and importance of engaging with the needs of our city. Providing some focus, organization and communication that would lead to more of us praying for our city leaders and officials, loving our actual neighbors and working together to help resolve the greater challenges in our city became our pursuit and we’ve been seeing amazing results.
As coordinated efforts have improved, we have seen over 400 people experiencing homelessness find a home. As churches have made ongoing commitments to help resolve the literacy challenges in our schools we have seen significant improvements and some of our schools have even received awards from the state for how much they have improved. As our neighboring network continues to grow, cultural barriers are getting broken down and practical needs are being met in our neighborhoods.
These are the things everyone loves to see, however the roots of this organization are prayer. We will continue bringing focus, organization and communication around challenges in our city, but at our core we believe that as we continue bringing more and more people together to worship and pray to a loving, merciful and grace-filled God , we believe the results will continue to expand.
Churches, businesses, agencies and city officials are working well together, creating positive change in their city. The ethos in neighborhoods is improving and having identified the top 3 challenges in the city, (based on city hall’s assessment, the school district and overall demographics) we’re seeing tangible movement and results.
- Prayer - We are passionate to experience God’s presence, power and purpose.
- Dignity - We desire to treat everyone respectfully, regardless of differences.
- Unity – We are determined to focus on what brings us together.
- Efficacy – We are committed to be effective and produce measurable results.
- Perseverance – We have a drive to keep going for the long haul.
Executive Director of Trellis
Ian joined Trellis in 2015 as Executive Director. He is also the Leader of Trellis’ Homelessness Initiative. Among his many duties, Ian is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of Trellis’ strategy.
Prior to joining Trellis full time, Ian was the Executive Director as a volunteer and a Pastor at The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa, California. He was the church’s second full-time staff member in 1989, and over the next 27 years focused on ministry development, outreach and teaching helping lead, manage and grow the church from 40 to approximately 2,000. Ian is an expert in volunteer mobilization and management and has an extensive background in strategic planning, budget preparation, goal setting, and facilitating partnerships. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville University.
Ian is also currently a Lead Team Member for The Mission Network of Southern California.
Operations Director of Trellis
Homelessness Initiative Director
Education Initiative Director
Neighboring & Cultural Integration Initiative Director
Director of Prayer
Chairman
Mark joined Trellis as the Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2017. He prepares and runs the organization’s board meetings and facilitates board accountability.
Since 1990, Mark has successfully owned and run his Orange County consulting firm, Van Druff Consulting, which specializes in the healthcare industry. He is a proven business development expert and management executive with decades of experience applying his strategic, problem solving, negotiation, and communication skills to help his clients. In mid-2016, he completed a three-year engagement as Interim CEO of a highly regarded multi-specialty ophthalmology group, as well as of a multi-specialty surgery center. He is also a twice-ordained pastor.
Mark leads the Life Launch ministry of Shepherd’s Grove church and is also currently chairing the boards of Finally Home Foundation and SOULeader Resources.
Hospitality Officer
Lynell joined Trellis as the Hospitality Officer in 2014. She hosts various vision and leadership gatherings at her home and works with the Director of Operations to evaluate events.
Lynell has been a registered nurse at Hoag Hospital and in the Home Health field, with the exception of a seven-year period as a stay-at-home mother. For 20 years, she served as Director of Auxiliary Services at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California. Lynell has obtained her associate’s and registered nursing degrees from Chaffey College, and her bachelor’s in Organizational Management and BSN in Nursing from Vanguard University. Most recently, she received a certificate as a Faith Community Nurse from Hoag Hospital.
Lynell has also served as the Director of Royal Family Kids Camp, Director of Women’s Ministries at Newport Mesa Church, and on the Board of Elders at the same church.
Worship Community Officer
Mike joined Trellis in 2014 as the Worship Community Officer. He works to build community between worship leaders and musicians in the city, as well as plan the “Trellis Night of Worship” event.
Since 1994, Mike has been a partner of the marketing firm, The Brainyard LLC. He leads the sales team and manages the agency’s core clientele, companies like Fender Guitars, Taylor Guitars, Pioneer Pro Audio, and Two-Rock Amplifiers. Mike earned his degree in Music from Pasadena City College and his degree in Bible from LIFE Bible College.
Mike is a founding Board Member of the Colorado-based Finally Home Foundation and a longtime member of the Creative Arts Team of The Crossing Church.
Business Development Officer
Scott joined Trellis in 2014 as the Business Development Officer. He helps with the business development side of Trellis and participates on The Business Advisory Team to engage with and cultivate interest from businesses in the area.
Scott is the co-founder and Vice President of CALbath & Kitchen, a professional bathroom and kitchen remodeling company. Since 1991, Scott and his partner have grown their business from a two-man side gig to a 70-person operation with five locations and a client list that includes UCLA, The Beverly Hilton, The Irvine Company, and even the U.S. Marines. As an entrepreneur and employer, he leads with integrity and the motto, “Do what you say you are going to do.”
Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in Management from UC Irvine.
Secretary
Janice joined Trellis in 2016 as Secretary. She manages the Board notebooks, by taking valuable notes during meetings and distributing them to the board members.
Janice is the Database Administrator at The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa, California. Having been on staff since 2004, her responsibilities grew and her passion for organizing people flourished. She served as an administrator for multiple ministry leaders prior to her current role.
Janice has a bachelor’s degree from Vanguard University, and recently studied Database Management at UC Irvine.
Costa Mesa Living Center - Project Manager
Thomas joined Trellis in 2016 as Living Center Project Manager. As part of the Homeless Initiative Leadership Team he is helping drive the Living Center project, establishing the plan, key players and getting it to a place of execution.
Thomas is President & CEO of The Carlton Company, a strategy and management consulting services firm in Orange County, and COO & Director of Internal Operations for the Chrysalis Insurance Agency. For more than 20 years, he founded and then ran one of LA County’s “Top 25 Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Companies” (LA Business Journal) with offices in both Los Angeles and Orange County. C. Thomas is an incisive business leader with expertise directing corporate operations and an extensive background in strategic planning and development, and budget and financial management.
Thomas is currently Founding Director & Officer at both the C. Thomas Ruppert Foundation and the Southern California Sailing Foundation. In addition to Trellis, C. Thomas is also on the board of more than 10 philanthropic organizations.
These Churches have all contributed, time, talent and treasure to help facilitate a more united effort to impact homelessness, education or cultural integration this last year in our city.
- Christ Lutheran
- Rock Harbor
- The Crossing
- Palm Harvest Church
- Newport Mesa Church
- Mesa Verde United Methodist Church
- Mariners Church
- Grace Fellowship
- Redemption Church
- Friendship Church
- New Song Worship Center
- South Hills Church
- St. James Anglican
- Lighthouse Community Church
- Presbyterian Church of the Covenant
This organization has invested time, talent and treasure to impact homelessness as part of a united effort in our city.
- Fresh Beginnings
These Churches have contributes time and talent towards a more united effort to impact homelessness, education or cultural integration this last year in our city.
- Iglesia El Camino
- Iglesia Harbor
- Watermark Church
- Roots Church
- St. John The Divine
- Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene
- St. Andrews Presbyterian
- St. John The Baptist
- Our Lady Queen of Angels
- Narrative
- Saddleback Newport Mesa
Partnerships with businesses where they can invest time, talent and treasure to impact the greatest challenges in our city in a more united manner don’t formally exist yet. We will be developing this in 2016, if you are interested e-mail ian@wearetrellis.com
These businesses have invested time and talent to impact homelessness, education or cultural integration as part of a united effort in our city.
- Starbucks
- Target
- Avilla El Ranchito Restaurant
- The You School
- Talonvest Company
- Newport Rib Company
These organizations have invested time and talent as part of a united effort to impact homelessness, education or cultural integration in our city.
- Vanguard University
- Concordia University
- Mika CDC
- SOS
- Someone Cares Soup Kitchen
- Young Life
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes