The Black Collar Crime Series relies on public news stories and publicly available information for its content. If any incorrect information is found, please contact Bruce Gerencser. Nothing in this post should be construed as an accusation of guilt. Those accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty.
Matthew McGinley, the worship pastor for Ascent Project in Fort Collins, Colorado and a Christian school teacher, stands accused of sexually assaulting a minor.
Fort Collins police have arrested Matthew McGinley, 30, accusing the former worship pastor and teacher of sexual assault of a minor by a person in a position of trust. In police and court records obtained by CBS News Colorado, McGinley is accused of having a sexual relationship with a former student that continued for more than one year.
McGinley was a part-time educator at a prominent Northern Colorado Christian school for the 2018-2019 school year, according to the school.
According to police, that is when McGinley met the victim in one of the classes he helped teach. The student was younger than 18 when they met.
Police reported that McGinley, 24 at the time, and the student started off by sending flirtatious late-night texts before the relationship evolved to kissing. Police said the two started having sex at the beginning of 2020. It continued through part of 2020 until the victim cut off communication, according to police.
The intimate relationship had allegedly taken place off-campus after McGinley had stopped working at the school.
McGinley was, and still is, married.
McGinley went on to become the worship and marketing pastor for a Fort Collins church known as “Ascent Project.”
The relationship went largely unshared until 2025, when McGinley allegedly told a church leader about his affair with the minor. Church leaders reportedly gathered and decided to have a meeting with McGinley, one in which they told police he fully confessed to his actions during. Fort Collins Police filed court documents saying McGinley was fired from his role at Ascent Project immediately by the church leaders and was then taken to the police department to turn himself in.
Police obtained an email that McGinley allegedly sent to the victim’s mother. In the email, McGinley wrote an apology for his actions and said they were part of a “quarter-life crisis” he was going through. The email in the court records goes on to suggest McGinley was remorseful for his actions and had repented to God.
McGinley was charged with felony sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust with a pattern of abuse. He was booked into the Larimer County Jail and has since posted bond as he awaits further steps in the criminal proceedings.
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On Thursday, Ascent Project, which is pastored by McGinley’s brother, provided a statement to CBS News Colorado regarding his arrest.
“On September 2, Pastor Josh McGinley and the elders of Ascent Project Church were made aware of serious allegations involving a former staff member, Matthew McGinley. These allegations were unknown to church leadership prior to that date. Upon his confession, he was accompanied to the police station, where he turned himself in, and his employment was terminated the same day. We are deeply grieved by these events and remain committed to the care and well-being of everyone in our church,” said the Ascent Project Church Elder Team.
Bruce Gerencser, 68, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 47 years. He and his wife have six grown children and sixteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
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Well that’s a new one on me….what we wrinklies call ‘playing the age card’ if there’s some aspect of modern life we can’t quite hack…..never would have thought of using it to excuse a sin or misdemeanor when I was 24yo…’a quarter life crisis.’ Spluttering into my coffee this morning to read that. And what’s a ‘marketing pastor?’ Oh,it’s OK though….he’s repented…..hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, all these “cute” titles preachers have these days. I did church marketing, construction, janitorial services, worship leader, bus driver, counselor, referee, youth leader, childcare provider, school principal, school teacher, special music, and, yes preaching (all at one church). The ONLY title I preferred was “preacher” or “Pastor Bruce.”
McGinley went on to become the worship and marketing pastor for a Fort Collins church known as “Ascent Project.”
Hmmm what was Mr. McGinley worshiping and what exactly was he marketing? “Sex Education to the under aged”?
Satan made him do it though, I’m sure he will be reinstated.