Youth Camp Pastor Charged with Sexual Assault After Grooming Teen Counselor

Carson Alexander Parago, a 23-year-old pastor and youth camp director, has been charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation, luring a person under 18, and distributing sexually explicit material to a person under 18. According to Winnipeg police, the alleged offences occurred between August 2025 and March 2026. Police allege that Parago forged a sexual relationship by grooming and gaining the trust of a youth camp counsellor who was a teenager at the time. The teen met on multiple occasions in private with Parago, who allegedly sent the teen sexually explicit material.

Parago was arrested in Winnipeg on April 30 and released from custody under court-ordered conditions. He worked at Centerpoint Church in Winnipeg from May 2023 until September 2025, serving as a family ministries pastor. His role included overseeing child and youth ministries and directing the church’s day camp. Parago supervised the teen as the day camp’s director until he was placed on leave for an unrelated reason in August 2025. He was no longer employed with the church by late September 2025.

Centerpoint Church conducts criminal background and sexual abuse registry checks for all employees and key volunteers. Lead pastor Glenn Krobel stated that no “red flags” appeared during Parago’s checks before he was hired, and there were “no glaring concerns” during his employment. Krobel learned of the allegations in March 2026 when a parent informed him directly. He reported the matter to Winnipeg police shortly after, emphasizing that the church had no prior indication of a relationship between Parago and the victim.

Krobel acknowledged the church will review its systems to prevent similar situations in the future. He emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency, stating that the church leadership is committed to learning from this incident. The church’s focus remains on protecting the vulnerable and upholding the values of justice and mercy.

The case highlights the need for ongoing vigilance in safeguarding young people within church communities. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, justice, mercy, and humble service are essential in how we care for others. This incident underscores the responsibility of church leaders to ensure that their ministries are not only places of spiritual growth but also environments where the vulnerable are protected and loved.

Source: Read the original report