Christian group is racist, black pastor in Winnipeg claims

A Winnipeg pastor is suing the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) and its Manitoba affiliate for racial discrimination, according to a statement of claim filed in the Court of Queen’s Bench late last month.The claim alleges directors at the Northwestern District of the PAOC racially discriminated against Pastor Ryan Fray when it failed to process his application for ministerial credentials he needed to become a senior pastor.Granting credentials involves a review of academic abilities and adherence to Pentecostal beliefs, according to the organization’s website.Only credentialed pastors may lead one of 1,100 PAOC-affiliated churches in Canada.According to the PAOC website, there are 3,500 credentialed ministers serving a quarter of a million church members across the country. Fray immigrated to Canada from Jamaica in 2009 and within a year he started work as a youth pastor at Evangel Chapel, now known as New Beginnings Church.In 2011, he applied for ministerial credentials.That fall, Fray alleges that Assistant District Superintendent Andrew Porterfield told him he took issue with granting him credentials because he was a “big creepy black guy.”The next year, District Superintendent James Poirier allegedly told Fray the test in which he demonstrated the required knowledge didn’t matter because “we only give credentials to bright people.”Shortly after that incident, Fray was accused of stealing a microphone. The claim states he had to spend his own money to conduct an investigation to clear his name.Fray claims he is not the only black person to experience racial discrimination from the group.The lawsuit states there is a “pattern of systemic discrimination has existed against black people,” adding that at least two other pastors have not been granted their credentials.Fray is seeking $100,000 in damages. He claims he suffers anxiety because of the stress.The Northwestern District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada declined to comment. It has not yet filed a statement of defenceThe allegations made by Fray have not been proven in court. A Winnipeg pastor is suing the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) and its Manitoba affiliate for racial discrimination, according to a statement of claim filed in the Court of Queen’s Bench late last month. The claim alleges directors at the Northwestern District of the PAOC racially discriminated against Pastor Ryan Fray when it failed to process his application for ministerial credentials he needed to become a senior pastor. Granting credentials involves a review of academic abilities and adherence to Pentecostal beliefs, according to the organization’s website. Only credentialed pastors may lead one of 1,100 PAOC-affiliated churches in Canada. According to the PAOC website, there are 3,500 credentialed ministers serving a quarter of a million church members across the country. Fray immigrated to Canada from Jamaica in 2009 and within a year he started work as a youth pastor at Evangel Chapel, now known as New Beginnings Church. In 2011, he applied for ministerial credentials. That fall, Fray alleges that Assistant District Superintendent Andrew Porterfield told him he took issue with granting him credentials because he was a “big creepy black guy.” The next year, District Superintendent James Poirier allegedly told Fray the test in which he demonstrated the required knowledge didn’t matter because “we only give credentials to bright people.” Shortly after that incident, Fray was accused of stealing a microphone. The claim states he had to spend his own money to conduct an investigation to clear his name. Fray claims he is not the only black person to experience racial discrimination from the group. The lawsuit states there is a “pattern of systemic discrimination has existed against black people,” adding that at least two other pastors have not been granted their credentials. Fray is seeking $100,000 in damages. He claims he suffers anxiety because of the stress. The Northwestern District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada declined to comment. It has not yet filed a statement of defence The allegations made by Fray have not been proven in court.