At Trellis, we believe that following Jesus is not just about adopting a set of beliefs, but learning a way of life. The Christian tradition calls this spiritual formation—the quiet, daily process of allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our hearts, minds, and habits so we can live with deep love, presence, and peace in a noisy world.
We don't look at spiritual disciplines as rigid rules or religious duty. Instead, they provide rhythm and haven—the trellis that supports the vine of our spiritual life. By creating intentional space for silence, sabbath, community, prayer, and scripture, we make room to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
Much of our approach to spiritual practices is deeply shaped by the work of John Mark Comer and his book, Practicing the Way. We deeply resonate with his passion for helping modern Christians step off the treadmill of hustle, exhaustion, and distraction to discover the slow, unhurried pace of Jesus.
John Mark's modern articulation of the ancient spiritual disciplines has helped us craft gatherings that are simple, relationally rich, and intentionally grounded. His framework reminds us that discipleship is an apprenticeship: learning how to structure our daily lives around communion with God and genuine community with one another.
Our commitment to spiritual formation connects us to a rich tradition of teachers, writers, and practitioners who have guided the Church toward deeper intimacy with God:
Our team at Trellis reflects these same deep commitments. One of our pastors, Erica Heitke, brings an approach to ministry that is shaped by personal mentorship under her professor A.J. Swoboda—a prominent voice, author, and theologian who has written extensively on sabbath, creation care, and the practical implementation of spiritual disciplines.
In addition, Erica's journey has been guided and refined through ongoing work with her own spiritual director. This practice of being directed, listened to, and spiritually mentored, or as she likes to say, discipled, ensures that our leadership flows out of a healthy, rooted soul rather than institutional hustle.
Whether you are a long-time follower of Jesus or exploring faith for the very first time, there is a place for you to explore these rhythms alongside us. We practice these disciplines together so no one has to walk through life alone.
