Matthew McGinley, a former worship pastor and Christian school teacher, has been charged with sexually assaulting a former student, a minor. He is also a songwriter, founder of Ascent Project, a Fort Collins, Colorado, church he co-founded.
He has been accused of grooming a student and having a sexual “relationship” (otherwise known as raping a minor) with a minor student (child.) The assaults continued for a year until the student cut off contact. No one knew until McGinley told a church leader. The church had a meeting with all the leaders where McGinley confessed. They fired him and informed police, taking McGinley to the police station.
He sent a letter apologizing to the victim’s mother. He has been charged with felony sexual assault of a child by a person of trust with a pattern of abuse. He is out on bond.
- CBS News: Former Northern Colorado worship pastor and teacher charged with sexual assault of former underage student
- Christian News: Ex-worship pastor charged over sexual assault of minor
Fri, Nov 14, 2025 ·Page A2