Bob Coy

Bob Coy founded Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale in 1985 and grew it into the largest Calvary Chapel in the country with approximately 25,000 members. He was known as a 'superstar preacher' whose conversion story — from working at a record company and in Las Vegas strip clubs to becoming a pastor — gave his ministry extra appeal. In April 2014, Coy resigned as senior pastor after admitting to adultery and pornography addiction. In August 2015, a mother contacted Coral Springs police to report that Coy had sexually abused her daughter. The girl, by then a teenager, told police that Coy had started molesting her when she was four years old, fondling her genitals and forcing her to perform oral sex. She said the abuse continued into her teen years. Coral Springs police sat on the accusations for months. Then the girl walked into police headquarters, saying she 'had an experience with God and has found forgiveness.' She asked for the files to be destroyed. Police could not destroy files but closed the case the same day. Broward State Attorney Mike Satz said he was never told about the investigation. Coy was never charged. At least eight pastors, staffers, and volunteers in Calvary Chapel's broader network have been charged with abusing children since 2010. Coy's divorce records were sealed by a judge to 'protect Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale from scrutiny.'