Pastor Tripp was born and raised in Gastonia, NC. He is the son of Mary Lou Hord and the late Jake Hord. Upon graduating from Hunter Huss High School, he attended Belmont Abbey College, where he played Tennis and Graduated with a B.A. in Sports Management. Tripp received his Masters of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte.
Tripp was the former CPO for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Gaston. Upon accepting his call to the ministry he served as the Director of Student Ministries and Family Life Center Director, at First United Methodist Church in Gastonia.
Currently Tripp is serving a two point charge in the Western NC District, at First United Methodist Church in Bessemer City and here at Bethesda United Methodist. Tripp loves serving both churches and is working towards ordination in the United Methodist Church.
Tripp has two sons, Jacob who graduated from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and from Pembroke State University, where he received his MBA, and Bradley who attends Appalachian State in Boone. Tripp is married to Rebecca Wilson Hord, who works as an Administrator for the Gaston County Schools. Tripp is a big Miami Dolphin and App State fan. He still likes to play tennis when he can find the time.
