Today we’d like to introduce you to Trey Bradley.
Hi Trey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a husband, dad, student pastor, and itinerant speaker. I married my wife Melissa for 21 years, and we have 4 children. Their names are Jaxson (19) Paitlyn (16), Judah (11), and Jubilee (5). I am also a North Carolina Tarheels fan, coffee junkie, Star Wars nerd, cheeseburger eater, rollercoaster fanatic, and a relaxing day for me is having some kind of meat on the smoker or Blackstone. I currently pastor students at Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church in Laurens SC. I have been speaking/teaching for over 20 years and have been part of the speaking team of Clayton King Ministries for 11 years. I speak nationwide at churches, youth events, camps, crusades, graduation ceremonies, marriage conferences, etc.
I was raised in a Christian home, but it wasn’t until I was 19 that my life truly changed, and I began to follow Jesus. I make no apologies that he is the true difference maker in my life. Before Christ, I had no direction or purpose, but now my life’s mission is to make Him known. After my life changed in 2002, I returned to school to study ministry and discovered a calling as a pastor and communicator. As a college student at North Greenville University in SC, I began serving on impact teams, and that’s when God’s calling on my life was confirmed. I met Melissa while at North Greenville as well. Melissa is the love of my life and partner in ministry. I love when we can travel and speak/teach together.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our family has had our share of uncertainty and heartache. We have made some mistakes along the way while experiencing betrayal from others. Over the years we have dealt with financial hardship, struggling with direction, and loss. In January 2014, without warning, my wife lost her dad suddenly. He went to bed one night and didn’t wake up. We were devastated.
As my wife’s dad and grandfather to our kids, he was one of my best friends and a huge supporter and encourager of our ministry and calling. Learning to continue without him was one of our family’s biggest challenges. These trials and many other challenges were painful, but I believe those experiences have made me a better pastor and leader today. I can empathize with many of the challenges that others are facing. As a pastor, many often look to me for answers when facing a challenging experience. The hard truth is sometimes I don’t have an immediate answer. Sometimes I need help fixing it. However, I can now often say that I’ve been there and know from experience that God is truly near to the brokenhearted.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Student Pastor and Itinerant Speaker. I have been in student ministry for over 20 years and that is my calling. I pastor students at Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church. I work primarily with 6th-12th graders and Young Adult/College age students. Our mission is to make disciples of students through biblical teaching, worship, relationships, small groups, and opportunities to serve. The ultimate goal is to lead students to Jesus and develop leaders so they can also lead their friends to Jesus.
I am also a speaker for Clayton King Ministries and have been partnering with them for 11 years. I travel and speak at events across the nation. As a pastor and communicator, my heart is to explain the message of Jesus so that anyone can understand whether they have been in the church their whole lives or have never even been in a church building, I want students to see just how real and relevant the life-changing stories in the Bible are. I have seen thousands of students come to faith in Jesus over the years.
Ironically, I am an introvert, even though my job and calling involve being around people. My life’s purpose is to point people to Jesus, whether teaching on a stage or having coffee with someone. I am not comfortable around crowds and have to give it all to God daily, so anything I could say about myself reflects who Jesus is and how He can use anybody surrendered fully to Him.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
This is a great question. Many attribute success to how big one’s bank account is or how nice of a house, car, or other things one has. However, success for me is much deeper than that. Those things may bring temporary happiness but ultimately will fade away. Success starts with daily honoring our commitments and being faithful in the now, whether it’s our faith, family, friends, church, or community. It’s understanding the meaning in our existence and our purpose.
How do I find my purpose? The truth is we all want to know the answer to this. We were designed to want to belong and have purpose and it’s much deeper than any occupation or hobby. I am a pastor and communicator but my ultimate purpose is far beyond those things.
As a follower of Jesus, I believe that purpose starts with God. We are created by God and for God and until we understand that, life will never make sense. I spent many years selfishly living for myself until I truly understood my identity in Christ. As a Christ follower, I am to honor God in all things and when I stick to that on a daily basis, it affects everything else in my life. It led to my calling and desire to be a pastor and speaker/evangelist. It affects how I pastor today and lead others. It affects how I treat my wife and parent my children. It affects how I love the least of these and point others to Jesus.
Success is also managed more in how we finish rather than how we start. Many start well but quit and never finish. I want my legacy to be known as someone who finished well!
• I stayed faithful to my wife.
• I never abandoned my children.
• As a pastor (while flawed and not perfect) I was always available to those God entrusted to me and never disqualified myself.
• As a follower of Jesus I fought the good fight and kept the faith even if those around me were falling away.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.claytonking.com/treybradley
- Instagram: treybradley03
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/threebradley
- Twitter: treybradley3
- Youtube: treybradley03
- TikTok: @treybradley003
