This week I went to the celebration of life service of a friend, mentor and partner in ministry, Bear Trillizio. I am saddened by the loss of this great saint. I was awed and amazed at the turn out of over 2000 people at the service. It was standing room only for the two and a half hour program. And there was such sorrow and joy intermixed. A Marine color guard, teenagers up front playing worship songs, pastors sharing stories, An african american choir singing gospel: all these elements and more were there to send off Bear to His final homecoming.
So who was Bear and why was it so hard to lose him?
Pastor to Youth and Youth Leaders
Bear was a pastor to youth pastors. Bear was a mentor of mine. He cared for me as we worked together to unite and equipped youth workers to transform teenagers into disciple makers. Together we hosted “Bear’s Free Lunch” where he shared the same message over and over again, “Be united. We are all a part of the same church.” He met with thousands of youth leaders over his 30 years at the same church. He helped start Christian clubs across North County San Diego and poured his life into students with his 25+ years of student ministry.
Wholly Human
He was so human. He would sometimes call up his football buddy from the Buffalo Bills to have a cuss out session to relieve the pressure of life. He could also be bull-headed and belligerent. One time he tackled another youth pastor on staff in the hallway because he wasn’t listening! He led a hard life before he knew Jesus with many regrets that plagued him throughout His life.
Wounded Healer
Even with his shortcomings, he cared so much for others who were hurting around him. “Your ministry is to the person right in front of you.” He would have the right words to say to cheer or to strengthen you when you are down. He married so many people and did so many funeral services. He was very present and with you.
Marine Evangelist
He was well known for being a Marine and an evangelist. He did secret ops during the Vietnam war and bore physical and emotional scars from a hard life. And he gave his heart to those Marines. 36.000 Marine recruits heard the message of Jesus from his lips over the last five years. 5100 came to know Christ and Bear personally baptized 4900 of them. We would always joke that the Marines was the biggest youth group in the world.
Family Man
Bear loved his family. He felt he didn’t deserve the wonderful wife and four teenagers that God blessed Him with. His experienced God’s grace every time he was with them. He would be at every game and recital he possibly could and bragged incessantly about his kids.
Legacy Leaver
What do you want to accomplish in your life? Bear did so much and yet wanted to do more. I am inspired by Bear’s life to live my life with reckless abandon in love for my Jesus. Bear had courage to stand up and make a difference. And he influenced so many lives.
What legacy will you leave? Be with Jesus, love your family, minister to the person right in front of you and don’t worry about the rest. That’s what I learned from losing Bear.
You can see the live stream of his service at www.NorthCoastCalvary.org
Working Together 