Pastors and Elders

Pastor Clay Muinzer

Pastor Clay is the Primary Preaching Pastor/Elder at Trailhead since 2025. He has a strong passion for God’s Word and believes we all need one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). Church is essential, as we attend to hear the Word, find hope in Jesus, worship God together, fellowship with other believers, put our God-given spiritual gifts to work, and be a part of the body that was purchased with Christ’s own blood (Acts 20:28). Pastor Clay thrives when he is preparing a sermon and preaching it on Sunday mornings, staying true to God’s Word. When he isn’t studying and preaching, he also leads Biblical Counseling at Trailhead as a Certified Biblical Counselor through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, where he has a strong desire to give others real hope and healing through God’s truth and minister the Bible to those who are in need.

When he isn’t working, you can find him spending time with his family, savoring a good cup of black coffee, or reading a book. Pastor Clay and his wife, Makinze, moved to Montana in 2019 from Indiana. He is the founder and teacher of the online ministry, 13forty4. He is also the author of “Men Are… Biblical Characteristics of Godly Men” and “Look Away: 60 Days of Treasuring God”

“I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see!”

Pastor Taylor Horton

Pastor Taylor serves as the Associate Pastor/Elder at Trailhead. He loves the Word of God and believes people come to faith through the preaching of the Word of God (Romans 10:17). The Church is vital for all believers to grow in faith, be fed by the Word, and to admonish one another in singing (Ephesians 5:18–21; Colossians 3:16). Pastor Taylor is devoted to both leading worship and preaching the Word to the congregation. His ministry extends beyond the pulpit—he is a Certified Biblical Counselor through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. In this role, he guides people seeking hope, helping them overcome sin or endure suffering through the transformative power of God’s Word. In his commitment to sound biblical teaching, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Louisiana Baptist University and a Master of Divinity from Faith Seminary.

Pastor Taylor is married to his wife, Menley, and together they have three children. When he is not engaged in church work, he enjoys spending quality time with his family or reading. The Hortons moved to Montana in 2025 and have since embraced their new community.

Outside of ministry, Pastor Taylor is musically gifted, singing and playing both the guitar and saxophone. He has a killer pickleball serve, enjoys disc golf, and will likely win playing chess.

“Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery / Slained by death the God of Life

But no grave could e’er restrain Him / Praise the Lord, He is alive!”

Tom Eliel

Tom serves as one of the lay elders at Trailhead. He loves serving in all areas of the church including teaching bible studies, praying with people, and helping maintain the church facilities. Tom plays a vital role in discipling and developing the men of our church to become potential elders, lead through God’s truth, and disciple their families well. The bible says Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man, and Tom believes we should desire the same. This happens best when we are consistently in God’s house, hearing God’s council and sharing and serving with God’s people.

Tom and his wife, Joan, are both enjoying retirement and their golden years. When Tom isn’t at church, he enjoys studying, reading, woodworking, camping, skiing, and other “retired things”.

His desire is to always remain true to the meaning of his family name: El-i-el = “My God is God” - 1 Chronicles 5:24

Levi Van zee

Levi serves as one of the lay elders at Trailhead. He brings a strong passion for teaching God’s Word to other men, youth, and children. Levi is involved in many areas at Trailhead including AWANA commander, Sunday school teacher, and leader of men’s bible studies. He aims to point others to Christ, through his life and testimony to the greatness of God. Levi strives to set a biblical example for other men, discipling them to be better followers of Jesus, husbands, and fathers. You’ll often find Levi meeting new people and offering a warm handshake.

His other passion is teaching at the local middle school and connecting with students there. When he isn’t at church or school, he enjoys doing anything physical and outside: coaching sports, announcing football games for the local high school, hiking through the woods, wetting a line, and cheering on his favorite teams. Levi is married to Alicia, and they have 3 kids.