Meet Trenton Gill | I’m a multi-tool.” (minister

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trenton Gill and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trenton, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I like this question because it centers around who the person is rather than what the person does. Many people will ask, “What do you do for a living?” But I prefer to explain who I am. Why? Because who you are will determine what you do. So, who am I? I was born in small town of Indiana in 1982. There wasn’t anything to do where I came from. If you wanted to have fun, it was imperative to have an imagination. But in a small town, a big imagination makes someone stand out and appear to be an unrealistic dreamer. I was okay with that. A quote attributed to Dr. Seuss asks a deep question we should all consider: “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”

But how did my background and upbringing impact who I am today? Well, I grew up agnostic (no knowledge). The only things I knew were boredom, loneliness, and the stats on the backs of baseball cards. I merely existed, yet I didn’t know why. My family and I then moved near Chicago when I was nine years of age. I learned to love exploring while riding my bicycle there. Like most youth of that area, my life centered around sports. But I still didn’t understand why I was doing what I was doing. I always felt like I was merely going through the motions, doing what everyone else told me I should do, being the person they thought I should be.

My family and I eventually moved to California when I was 15 years old. An entertainment industry manager I randomly met convinced me to try acting. After getting my headshots, resume, and briefed about what to do and what not to do, I was sent to my very first audition – and I booked the job! From that point on, I was considered to be an actor. As an actor in Hollywood, without an identity of my own, I became whoever Hollywood directed me to be. I got paid to be a talented liar. At age 16, I graduated high school early so as to be emancipated. Everyone told me it would be a good idea. It wasn’t. Hollywood just worked me as if I were an adult. I also became an atheist. Everyone else said a “God” didn’t exist. So, I believed them.

My nihilistic-atheism worldview led me into a meaningless and purposeless existence. Hollywood is a dark place. The only thing Hollywood did for me was open my eyes to the truth that humans are not good by nature. Right before my 18th birthday, I wrote out my suicide letter. After unsuccessfully following through with suicide, I chose to focus on my increasingly successful acting career in Hollywood with hopes of making enough money in order to actually make a difference in life. But I found out the hard way that only A-list celebrities make good money. All other acting pawns like myself made just enough not to work while filming.

At age 20, I met the woman I believed I would end up marrying. However, our romantic relationship was cut short because she passed away due to a terminal illness. At age 21, I hit rock bottom and considered suicide yet again. However, while at rock bottom, the Rock (Christ Jesus) revealed Himself to me through five supernatural encounters. Suffice it to say, Jesus saved me from myself. Unable to deny the Truth any longer, I became a forever follower of Christ and proclaimed myself to be a Christian in 2004. Though I had a “successful” acting career in Hollywood (27 different projects on my resume), I eventually arrived at a crossroad in 2010 where I had to choose: Christ or compromise. After choosing Christ over my acting career, I was pushed out of the entertainment industry at age 28. Blacklisted. Banned. It was at that point the Lord called me to become a full-time minister. However, filled with fear, doubt, and excuses, I, like Jonah, ran away from my calling to pursue a “safe” and “normal” existence in the coffin of comfort. What followed was a series of unfulfilling and unpleasant life events that inevitably led me to hit a dead end of depression in 2014. However, like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), I came to my senses and sought forgiveness in the Father. The Holy Spirit then led me to West Coast Bible College & Seminary, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Ministry for Church Ministries in 2019. Soon thereafter, the Lord called me to not only be a full-time minister, but to become an entrepreneur.

In conclusion, I am who I am today because the Creator showed me who He created me to be. And who I am determines everything I do. So, what do I do? I do many things, including photography, videography, writing books, and even posting podcasts.

What should our readers know about your business?
First and foremost, what is my main business? Hodos Solutions. Essentially, it is videography and photography. As a drone pilot licensed through the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), I could capture unique footage for the customer that they could use in their marketing endeavors, which would set them apart from their competitors. But what sets me apart from other videographers/photographers? Well, as a PIC with a RPC, not only would I know how to get their desired footage, but I could be granted access to locations where hobbyists would be denied. In addition to exterior drone footage, I provide 3D virtual tours of interior locations. Was it easy to be able to do all this? No. A lot of studying, training, and a long test was required. Was there financial sacrifice involved? Yes. I had to invest thousands of dollars. Is there risk involved? Yes. Every mission has its own risks. Was it worth it? Yes. But what else sets me apart? Well, if you haven’t noticed the elephant in the room by now, it’s the fact that I am an ex-atheist now Christian minister who is trying to succeed in a secular society. Is it difficult? Absolutely! You probably can’t even imagine how much hate mail I receive from people who claim I’m hateful and intolerant. The irony is lost on them. Due to dedicated haters, I’ve been banned from all social media platforms (at least once per platform) due to false reports about me. I’ve received threats and have even been doxxed. Do I go out of my way to push Christianity on people through my business efforts? No. But I don’t go out of my way to hide it either. If people ask curious questions, I provide acceptable answers. But how do I overcome challenges I face as a Christian in a secular society? By doing exactly what Christ Jesus told me to do! Jesus taught us that the greatest shall be the servant of all (Matt 20:25-27; 23:11-12; Mark 10:42-44; Luke 22:25-26)! Also, the servant is not greater than his/her master (John 13:16). Jesus said He came to be the suffering servant as an example that we should do likewise (Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45; Luke 22:27; John 13:5-15). And let’s not forget that Jesus also said we must love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt 5:38-48). Therefore, if anyone demands that I walk a mile for them, I will go the extra mile. A gentle answer turns away wrath (Prov 15:1). I return good for evil (Prov 25:21-22; Rom 12:14-21). So, what do I want the world to know about my brand? It’s real simple: in a world of problems, I’m here to help provide solutions. Most cold-hearted companies claim to have customer service, but they are known by their fruit in that they prioritize profit over people. Hodos Solutions, however, first strives for customer service and then utilizes profit for ministry in order to help the people in this world who genuinely need help. In conclusion, whether you’re a realtor, property manager, insurance agent, agriculture farmer, roofing contractor, or even a wedding venue owner, Hodos Solutions can capture the images and/or videos you would need for your business.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, if it were a week-long trip, then we would go somewhere we both have never been in order to experience what we have not yet experienced. Although I’m certain hiking and eating would be a part of the itinerary, there would only be one thing listed on the itinerary: “Spontaneous adventure from daring exploration!” Some of the most exciting memories to be made come from unplanned divine appointments. I believe the quote attributed to J.R.R. Tolkien is appropriate here: “Not all those who wander are lost.”

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I will be the first to admit that all of my success stories have very little to do with my abilities. I definitely want to give a shoutout to whoever deserves the praise for all my “success,” but before I do that, I believe it’s important to first define the word “success.” Too many people wrongly believe that “success” means fame, fortune, house, car, or even a trophy wife/husband. But are you aware that every failure is a success because you successfully discovered what will not work? Is it not true that trial and error can lead to a successful solution? It’s important to realize that one cannot fail so long as that person keeps trying because the active state of trying is a current successful attempt. The only time a person can end in failure is if that person gives up. Now, with that said, there were many times in my life when I wanted to give up. On many occasions, my parents encouraged me to keep going when I felt like giving up. They also helped me out financially on many occasions. I wouldn’t have been an actor at all without them. I wouldn’t have published any books had I not received education. Multiple different philosophers, teachers, artists, etc. have inspired me. The list of people who deserve a shoutout for all my success stories date all the way back into my childhood. But ultimately, my shoutout goes to the Potter (the Lord) and His Word (Bible) because He has shaped me into who I am (Isa 29:16; 64:8; Jer 18:6; Lam 4:2; Zech 11:13; Rom 9:20-21). The Creator created me to receive blessings so that I may bless others. And without the Lord’s sacrificial love and absolute moral standard, I would have defined “success” much differently than I do now.

Website: https://pointlessthorns.wordpress.com/

Other: TravelWithTrenton@gmail.com