Bishop Larry D. Trotter
Senior Pastor, Sweet Holy Spirit Church
Third Presiding Bishop, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship

In 1973, Bishop Trotter surrendered his life to Jesus Christ as Lord and received the fullness of the Holy Ghost. Bishop Trotter accepted his call to the ministry in 1974 and served as Youth Pastor for several years. In 1981, he was called to the pastorate of Sweet Holy Spirit Church. Under his leadership, the congregation has grown from 22 members to over 5,000 today. Bishop Trotter preaches four Sunday services, teaches two weekly bible studies, and is aired on several radio and television broadcasts across the country each week. Sweet Holy Spirit is "One Church in Two Locations."

Bishop Trotter's unique ministry of encouragement preaching and deliverance has afforded him the opportunity to preach in most of the United States of America. Further, his International ministry includes Germany, Israel, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Finland, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Namibia and South Africa.

His accomplishments include being the founder of the C.A.R.E. Center; Prison Chaplain; past president of the Illinois Baptist Ministers Alliance; Board member of One Church-One School Project; contributing writer for Gospel Today and Gospel Flava Magazines, as well as Spiritual Perspective Newspaper. He has authored two books, "From Vision to Victory" and "Unshackled for the Increase." He also penned and produced his first Gospel Musical Play, "What's to Come is Better than What's Been!"

His heart and sensitivity for youth prompted him to begin "The Joshua Joint," a Gospel LIGHT Club (a new concept for a new generation). Through this venture, Bishop Trotter provided an outlet for our young people to come and express their talents. They have open-mic nights, choir nights, step shows and other forms of expressions to give God glory!

In his continued efforts to reach all ethnic groups, Bishop Trotter launched a project called "Hirambe Unidad" (Lets Pull Together in Unity), a partnership with our neighboring Hispanic community.

In addition to his preaching ministry, Bishop Trotter is also an accomplished musician and served many churches as Minister of Music. Under his leadership, Bishop Trotter and the Combined Choirs of Sweet Holy Spirit have recorded four music projects through Tyscott Records. The most recent project (released in May 2001), "Tell the Devil I'm Back!" reached the Billboards. In 1998, Bishop Trotter was featured on a collection of church hymns titled, "Chicago Sings!"

Bishop Trotter has received numerous awards and recognition, including an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. In 2001, Bishop Trotter received three commendations as Religious Leader of the Year from the South Central Community Center, The Black Expo Presidential Award Committee and the Monarch Awards Foundation of the Xi Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Bishop Trotter is known for his ability to blend the Baptist heritage and the Pentecostal experience and is therefore called by many a "Bapticostal." In 1993, Bishop Trotter was consecrated to the Office of Bishop in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. Bishop Trotter served as Midwest Regional Bishop for six years. In 1999, he was elevated to the Third Presiding Bishop - International, assisting in the oversight of more than 1,500 churches and ministries. Bishop Trotter has dual alignment with the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ and serves as a Board Member for the Joint College of Pentecostal Bishops. In 2001, Bishop Trotter assisted in the coordination of the first group of African-American Bishops to have an audience with the Pope in Rome, Italy.

In 1996, Bishop Trotter submitted to the call of being a spiritual covering to other pastors. Bishop Trotter hosts monthly conference calls with his spiritual Sons and Daughters, as well as bi-annual forums where they all come together for impartation, teaching and fellowship. To date, approximately 30 pastors across the country have submitted to his spiritual leadership.

Bishop Trotter is a man full of compassion for all people. Through this ministry gift, you will definitely "get your praise on" and be led into the very presence of God. You will be both encouraged and challenged. Regardless of your denominational background, ethnicity or your past, everyone who experiences this ministry will be embraced and loved to life!

The church continues to grow and the VISION continues to unfold before our very eyes. We do know, with the help of God, that "What's to come is better than what's been!"

Bishop Trotter is happily married to the lovely Lady Celeste Trotter and has five wonderful children (Laurice, Javon, Brandi, Larry II and LaKheem).