If you spent any time watching Christian television in the 1980s and 90s, you couldn't miss them. The Laverne Tripp family—LaVerne, Edith, and their sons Robb and Terry—weren't just guests on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). They were the face of it. They were staples of the "Praise the Lord" program, singing southern gospel hits like "We've Got the Power" with an intensity that felt more like a rock concert than a Sunday service. And then, quite suddenly to many viewers, they weren't around as much.
People noticed.
When a family that basically helped build the cultural foundation of a network vanishes from the daily rotation, rumors fly. Did they have a falling out with Paul and Jan Crouch? Was there some hidden scandal? Why did the Laverne Tripp family leave TBN's inner circle? The reality is a lot less like a tabloid headline and a lot more about the grueling reality of 24/7 televangelism and the shifting seasons of a family ministry.
The TBN Glory Days and the Toll of the Road
The Tripps weren't just "talent." They were pioneers of the TBN format. Laverne had already paid his dues in the Blue Ridge Quartet before launching his own ministry in 1974. By the time TBN was expanding across the globe, the Tripps were the emotional core of the network’s musical programming.
But here is what most people forget: Christian stardom in that era was exhausting.
The family wasn't just appearing on TV. They were traveling across the country, appearing at crusades, recording albums, and helping the Crouches raise money for new satellites. It was a 24/7 grind. You can only maintain that pace for so long before something has to give. While viewers saw the polished performances and the "glory," the family was dealing with the reality of living out of suitcases and the high-pressure environment of a growing media empire.
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Honestly, the "departure" wasn't a single event. It was a gradual pivot. As the 90s progressed, the Tripps started focusing more on their own independent ministry efforts in Nashville and less on the California-based network. It wasn't necessarily about a bridge burning; it was about building their own bridge.
Addressing the Rumors of a Falling Out
Whenever someone leaves a high-profile ministry, the first thing people look for is a "reason." In the case of TBN, the Crouches were often lightning rods for controversy. Naturally, when the Tripps moved on, fans assumed there was drama behind the scenes.
Did they disagree with the direction of the network? Maybe.
TBN was shifting its aesthetic. They were moving away from the traditional southern gospel roots—the world Laverne Tripp dominated—and moving toward a more contemporary, sleek, and international "televangelism" look. The big hair and southern gospel quartets were being replaced by high-definition sets and a different style of worship.
There have been whispers over the years about financial disagreements or "power struggles," but no credible evidence or public statements from the Tripp family ever confirmed a major feud. In fact, if you look at the archives, Laverne and Edith actually returned to TBN as guests years later. In January 2020, Matt and Laurie Crouch (Paul’s son and daughter-in-law) hosted Laverne and Edith in Nashville for an episode of Praise.
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That appearance basically debunked the "total exile" theory. If there had been a permanent, bridge-burning rift, they wouldn't have been welcomed back to celebrate their legacy on the very network they helped build.
The Transition to Local Ministry and Individual Paths
A huge part of why the family "left" the constant TBN spotlight was that the sons grew up. Robb and Terry Tripp weren't just kids singing backup anymore. They became ministers in their own right with their own visions.
Robb Tripp, who sadly passed away in 2022, founded The Fire Place Fellowship in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He moved into a very different kind of ministry—pastoring a local congregation and focusing on deep, soulful worship. Terry Tripp also launched his own ministry, focusing on speaking and teaching.
When a family ministry matures, the "family act" naturally dissolves. You can't be "The Laverne Tripp Family" forever when the kids have families and ministries of their own. The shift away from TBN was, in many ways, the family choosing independence over being part of a corporate ministry machine.
Key Factors in Their Shift Away from the Spotlight:
- Burnout: Decades of constant touring and filming.
- Changing Demographics: TBN’s transition toward a more modern, global aesthetic.
- Nashville Focus: A desire to plant roots in Tennessee rather than being tied to the California-based network.
- Family Growth: The sons establishing their own individual identities and ministries.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that there must be a "villain" in the story. People love to think that either TBN kicked them off or the Tripps left in a huff over "false doctrines."
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While many former TBN personalities did leave over doctrinal shifts or financial scandals, the Tripps' exit seems more like a natural conclusion to a very long contract. They did their part. They helped TBN survive its infancy. By the time they stepped back, TBN was a billion-dollar entity that didn't "need" a house band in the same way it did in 1978.
Furthermore, the Tripps never went "silent." They continued to produce music, travel to smaller churches, and run their own media outlets. They simply traded a massive, high-pressure global platform for a more personal, manageable one.
The Legacy of the Laverne Tripp Family
Looking back, the Laverne Tripp family’s time on TBN represents a specific era of American Christianity. It was an era of "camp meeting" style TV that felt intimate, even if it was being broadcast to millions.
They didn't really "leave" so much as they outgrew the box they were in. Laverne Tripp remains one of the most respected names in gospel music history, and his influence is still seen in how music is used in Christian media today.
If you're looking for a smoking gun, you probably won't find one. What you'll find instead is a family that decided their season on the big stage was over and it was time to focus on the work they were doing in their own backyard.
Next Steps for Long-time Fans:
If you want to keep up with the family today, the best way is to look at their independent platforms. Terry Tripp Ministries remains active, and the archives of Laverne’s music are widely available on digital streaming platforms. Supporting these independent outlets is the best way to honor the legacy they built during those famous TBN years. You might also want to look into the work of The Fire Place Fellowship to see the lasting impact Robb Tripp had on his community.