Coach loses job amid concerns ex-assistant tried to convert Muslims to Christianity
A longtime high school wrestling coach has lost his job amid concerns a former assistant coach tried to convert Muslim students to Christianity.
The Detroit News reports 35-year coach Jerry Marszalek's contract with Fordson High School in Dearborn, Mich., was not renewed. The decision was supported by 200 to 300 parents, who packed a Board of Education meeting Tuesday to support the principal's decision.
Marszalek says people have been concerned about contacts between the team and former assistant coach, the Rev. Trey Hancock of the Dearborn Assembly of God. Hancock helped Marszalek for 10 years.
Hancock says he has attempted conversions but never while coaching at the school, which has a large Muslim population.
Excerpts from Detroit News story:
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Hancock, who helped Marszalek with the team for 10 years, and whose son, Paul, is now a member, confirmed that he attempts to convert Muslim youths to Christianity and that he baptized a 15-year-old Muslim student in Port Huron a few years ago.
Meanwhile, Hancock's publicized attempts to convert a Muslim girl are at issue in a divorce case pending in the Michigan courts.
Hancock insisted that he never attempted a conversion as part of his work with the wrestling team, or on school grounds. But when asked if he understood the concerns of Muslim parents, he said, "I consider it my work to pastor to anyone who is within my reach. So I can imagine they would be concerned. But is the Dearborn Public Schools going to be dictating what every pastor can or cannot do within his congregation?"
Marszalek says he was aware for 10 years that Hancock's activities "might be a problem," but the clergyman never discussed religion with the athletes or students in his presence.
"The principal has never, ever attended a practice or a wrestling meet," Marszalek said. "But he makes judgments on the team according to which Arabic parent complains about another parent, who is a Christian minister, and I get lumped in."
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FULL ARTICLE AT THIS LINK
(with wire reports)
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