Aaron Pennington | Lead Pastor at Trace Church Colorado Springs
ABOUT PASTOR AARON PENNINGTON
Pastor Aaron received his calling into full-time vocational ministry at the age of 25, a moment he often describes as “a decision he didn’t see coming.” Before ministry, he worked as a fitness professional and strength coach and was a part owner of a health club in Lexington, Kentucky.
After saying yes to God’s call, Pastor Aaron and his wife, Emily, moved to Arizona, where he served as a Sports Pastor and later as a Campus Pastor at Central Christian Church. In 2013, Pastor Aaron and Emily felt called to plant a church, and after a season of prayer and discernment, God led them to Colorado Springs in 2015. That September, Trace Church launched in their living room with about 25 people, followed by its official Grand Opening at Liberty High School in September 2016.
Pastor Aaron holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Arts in Ministry from Hope International University. He and his wife, Emily, have been married for almost 23 years and have four children: Lillie, Jonathan, Avery, and Madison. Outside of ministry, Pastor Aaron enjoys fitness, fishing, off-roading, and spending time outdoors with his family.
THE ORIGIN OF TRACE CHURCH
With more than 21 years of ministry experience, Pastor Aaron is deeply passionate about reaching people far from God, a place he was once at himself. He is quick to admit that a large part of his younger story was messy and broken, including a long rap sheet before graduating college. It was not until he found himself sitting in a jail cell after his second DUI that Pastor Aaron fully surrendered his life to Jesus.
Rather than walking away from his broken past, he asked God to use it. This mindset played a significant role in shaping the culture of Trace Church, leading to phrases like “this is a place you can stop pretending,” “you can’t hide and heal at the same time,” and “most of us are like the rest of us.” Pastor Aaron believes that if we want to reach the least, the last, and the lost among us, we must create a space where people feel their story is safe.
He is also deeply passionate about teaching God’s Word in a way that leads to life transformation. You will often hear him say, “Grace says come as you are, but Truth says don’t stay as you are.”
The foundation of Trace Church is built on the pursuit of both truth and grace, inspired by John 1:14, which describes Jesus as coming full of grace and truth. This balance continues to guide the mission and culture of Trace today.
