Rick Trotter’s Alleged Confession of his Illegal Acts Before Fellowship Memphis

This is Rick Trotter’s alleged confession that he read before the congregation at Fellowship Memphis. This is difficult to read and I would be careful about reading this at work. This confession should be read against the joint church statement and what the Memphis Commercial Appeal is saying.

“According to the Memphis Police Department’s Lt. Karen Rudolph, no one ever contacted police to report the incident or file a complaint. The church’s statement makes no mention of contacting police after the camera was discovered at Fellowship.”

Memphis Commercial Appeal article from August 11, 2016

“They said that no one would consider pressing charges because it would ruin his life and he had a family. They said they had already consulted with the police and they were told to destroy the evidence.” 

One of the victims on how the leadership of Fellowship Memphis of John Bryson and Bryan Loritts allegedly pressured her and others not to press charges.

All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

John 3:20 NLT

I was emailed Rick Trotter’s alleged confession before Fellowship Memphis. I am asking former members to help me fill in the gaps. You can comment below anonymously. I would like to know how this was read, how Rick Trotter was introduced and how this was received. I believe this statement was before he went to Downtown Church led by Richard Rieves.  Having said that as I read this statement it is deeply flawed. The biggest flaw is where Rick states that each victim chose not to press charges against his alleged voyeurism. Its my understanding in speaking to one of the alleged victims that John Bryson and Bryan Loritts allegedly placed a lot of pressure on people not to press charges or to go to the police. In the August 11, 2016 Memphis Commercial Appeal article called, “Former Grizzlies announcer Rick Trotter reportedly recorded women at another church in 2010” Lt. Karen Rudolph of the Memphis police Department said that they were not contacted. My question is this…did John Bryson or Bryan Loritts threaten to place members from Fellowship Memphis under church discipline if they reported to the police or pressed charged? Did John Bryson or Bryan Loritts invoke part of a membership covenant against the victims? Fellowship Memphis is a popular church in the Acts 29 network, and many Neo-Calvinists are drunk with power and control. If any of the victims want to answer these questions below you can do so anonymously, as I will approve the comments. My heart grieves for the pain that is coming from this church, and its my hope that people find peace one day. However, until that happens the truth of what happened at Fellowship Memphis needs to get out. I love you guys

---

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,

I stand here before you with great joy for being back in your presence. I also feel fear, pain and apprehension for the sin I committed that has necessitated this season of separation. I’d like to thank the leaders of this church for allowing me an opportunity to address the members of this body today. I also thank you for your attention in this moment.

For those that may be new to Fellowship Memphis, my name is Rick Trotter. I served as worship director for this church from August, 2005 until February 4^th of this year when I was caught in a heinous sin that has taken a significant toll on this church in multiple ways. The nature of my actions and the ripple of consequences caused the leadership to terminate my employment immediately. I am confident that this action was not executed lightly or hastily. It is my belief that they acted in the best interest of all parties involved and with heavy regard to the extreme nature of my sin.

The fact that I in my flesh am powerless has led me to many sinful and inappropriate behaviors. Some of the ways I’ve coped with my powerlessness are: idolatry, pride, self-pity, self-protection, self-hatred, self-righteousness, lying, manipulation, isolation, multiple forms of sexual immorality (including pornography, voyeurism and masturbation), compulsive eating, compulsive spending, approval seeking, codependency, compromise of biblical truth, passive aggression, suicidal thoughts and many more.

The situation I choose to share with you today took place over a two month period. I used a video camera to invade the privacy of several women while in a restroom. I was discovered by a close personal friend who turned the evidence in to the leaders of this church.

As a consequence, I was terminated immediately. I placed this church under severe spiritual, emotional and financial duress. I caused emotional harm to several innocent women who were informed of my offense by the church leaders. I faced legal prosecution by each victim. I disgraced my wife and jeopardized our marriage and shamed my friends and family. Greatest of all I sinned against my God who loves me and gave Himself for me.

The leaders of Fellowship Memphis responded in grace and mercy. They helped me to find and finance a 90 day Christ-centered intensive treatment and recovery program. God used the tool of that program to dig out years of spiritual and emotion infection so divine healing could take place in a holistic manner. I was restricted from outside communication for the first 45 days of the program. God used that time to expose every part of me that not submitted to Him and gave me the choice to continue to strive in my own strength or trust Him with who I am and allow Him to provide security and significance through my identity in Jesus Christ and nothing else. The program helped me to see God as the lavish lover that He is instead of the insatiable task master that my insecurity made Him out to be. As my image of God became more accurate, my image of myself came into focus as well. I practically understand God’s grace through Christ in what I could only give intellectual assent to before when I thought I could please Him in my own power.

When I was found out, I wanted to end my life or flee the shame and consequences of my sin. I’m glad I didn’t. It has been an incredibly painful road but God has shown me His love and grace through the victims of my offense. Each victim, fully informed of their individual rights, chose not to press charges and to allow the leaders of Fellowship Memphis to lead my correction. God spoke to me through many of you who through phone calls, Facebook, Twitter, text messages or spontaneous meetings in public expressed sympathy and regret, offered prayer and encouragement and embraced me without judgment. There were several of you who loved my family and me in very material ways and I am eternally grateful. God had mercy on me through my faithful wife who, in all the pain and betrayal, never took her eyes off of Him. In my submission, God was able to show off His exclusive ability to repair the irreparable. I pray I never lose sight of the fact that the very things that are impossible for mortal beings (obedience, unconditional love, grace, true forgiveness and reconciliation) are the very things God, through Jesus’ atonement for sin and by the power of the Holy Spirit, wants to do for us.

I used to think that God brought me to Memphis to help this city and this church by establishing a music program and ministering with music. Now I believe He may have brought me here to be surrounded by brothers and sisters full of His grace when He decided to humble and chasten me.

As a former staff member, member of this local body of believers and as a one who has been inextricably unified with you in Jesus Christ, I ask your forgiveness for my sin and how it has impacted you. Thank you for listening.