This Is How to Handle Church Hurt, According to Ex BACHELOR Star

Published: September 1, 2025

By Michaela Gordoni

BACHELOR star Madison Prewett Troutt turns to the Bible to find answers for church hurt.

“There was a season when I experienced deep hurt within the church. I remember feeling confused, disappointed, and unsure of where to turn,” she captioned an Instagram post. “But even in the grief, Jesus met me. He brought healing, clarity, restoration, and hope. 🤍”

In the video, Troutt demonstrates that she seeks scripture to answer all of her questions relating to church hurt, like, “How do I rebuild trust in the church after I’ve been hurt?”

“The Church isn’t just a building or person — it’s the body of Christ. It’s a visual representation of His love and truth,” she said. “We were never meant to walk out our faith alone. God designed us to grow in community and to heal in fellowship.”

Troutt gave encouragement that just because a church may have caused hurt, it doesn’t mean you should throw out the idea of going to any church again.

“If you’ve ever walked through church hurt or spiritual manipulation, here’s my encouragement: you are not alone—and there is healing on the other side,” she said. “There is still a place for you in the body. You are still needed, valued, and called.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Madison Prewett Troutt (@madiprew)

Troutt recently opened up about how she was hurt by her church on her podcast.

“Honestly, for about a year, I found myself distancing myself from the church,” she explained. “[I was] falling into the, like, listening to sermons but not going and not partaking in small group and fellowship within the body of Christ.”

She felt separated from the rest of the church members because of gossip they had spread about her.

Troutt added, “I had this moment of realization as I was talking it up with God, and just realizing, ‘OK, I’ve been hurt by the church, but I’ve also been absolutely changed and transformed by the church,” she said. “I’ve been hurt by people of God, but I’ve also been healed and freed by people of God through the spirit of God.’”

“I had to grieve and I had to figure that out with the Lord for myself,” she said. “I want anyone listening [to know] the importance of being plugged into a local church, the importance of having community [and] the importance of finding wise counsel. That’s so needed.”

In another recent post, Troutt shared the importance of living out what you believe.

“You can know the truth, memorize the promises, and agree with Scripture, but if you don’t actually live it out, nothing changes,” she said.

“Real freedom comes when you DO what God says. Real freedom and transformation come when you step out in obedience, trust Him with every decision, and allow His Word to guide both the small choices and the big ones,” she said. “That’s when faith becomes alive and powerful.”

Troutt wisely turns to the Bible and sage counsel for life’s answers. She knows that it’s important to live out faith, and the church is a place meant for community and healing, not hurt.

Questions or comments? Please write to us here.