Former Nanaimo pastor on trial for alleged sex crimes

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Ryan Morgan was a pastor at Generations Church in Nanaimo, part of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Alleged breach of trust

Former Nanaimo pastor on trial for alleged sex crimes

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Two other charges involve the second complainant, which centres on alleged offending by Morgan in 2020 in Nanaimo and Courtenay.

Crown prosecutor Tania Holland opened the trial by stating Morgan, who had first aid training, repeatedly exploited his victims.

“The allegations are that on more than one occasion Mr. Morgan, as being the pastor and the medic, used this as the opportunity to sexually assault both girls under the guise of medical treatment. You will hear from the girls what that sexual assault, sexual touching was.”

In addition, two witnesses are also scheduled to testify at the trial, which is scheduled to last several weeks.

The Crown’s Holland said Morgan favoured using k-tape (kinesiology tape) on young females in his ministry.

Prior to delving into how the younger of the two complainants contended she was violated, she told court a tight bond had been formed between her and Morgan after she joined the Generations Church youth program at 12-years-old.

She looked up to Morgan, repeatedly receiving advice in the following years.

Meetings took place in several places, including one-on-one, closed-door meetings in his office, many of which the complainant said were initiated by Morgan.

She sensed Morgan wanted to continue developing her leadership qualities.

“I thought that I was in the church, so I was under a good, safe influence. At that time I also thought I would have a career in church ministry, so this was the best candidate to be my mentor,” the now 24-year-old woman testified.

While not formal counselling sessions, the meetings strengthened their co-dependent relationship, she testified.

However, the woman noted over time the meetings negatively impacted her self-esteem.

“When you’re sitting there in a room and you’re going over this discussion with your mentor of your shortcomings, or your problems; he also appears to be the answer.”

She expanded on out of town church trips involved periodic team-building weekends and lengthy annual mission trips.

After Generations Church youth members returned to Nanaimo from an excursion on Sonora Island, the complainant outlined how she believed she was sexually assaulted by Morgan on June 11, 2017.

According to the woman, Morgan led her down a Generations Church hallway and questioned why somebody who wasn’t qualified to put k-tape on her did so.

She had strips of tape visible above the waste band of her shorts, extending down to her groin area.

“He said ‘my biggest concern is how far down does that tape go?'”

He asked to check the tape’s placement by requesting an assessment, according to the complainant.

She consented, sensing perhaps this was a potential medical insurance issue that needed to be rectified.

According to the complainant, he ran his hand down the tape, then placed his hand over her vulva and squeezed, then declared everything seemed to be fine.

A Crown expert scheduled to testify includes a specialist on the use of k-tape.

The woman continues her testimony on Tuesday morning.

She told the trial that she didn’t file a police report until 2023 after participating in counselling sessions.

While it didn’t factor into charges before the court, she testified Morgan was an important sense of comfort during a 2016 eye-opening mission trip to an impoverished, violence riddled northern Ontario Indigenous community.

She said Morgan put his arm around her as she leaned into him.

“Just kind of cuddling on this couch late at night with nobody around.”

While she found his actions unusual, the complainant did not interpret Morgan’s actions as malicious at the time, noting she was anxious, overwhelmed and homesick.

Ryan Morgan served several years as the youth pastor at Generations Church in Nanaimo, running several church sponsored trips. (Image Credit: ymin.ca)

Morgan faces four sexual assault charges and two sexual touching charges, which were approved by the BC Prosecution Service in late 2024.

He’s represented by criminal defence attorney Owen James, while the case is being overseen by Justice David Crear.

James informally lobbied to include Morgan’s name in a publication ban, however the Hail Mary request was not granted, which only applies to the two complainants and two witnesses.

Morgan typed notes into his laptop from the prisoner’s box throughout Monday’s proceedings.

He’s not in custody.

Hired at Generations Church in 2012, Morgan’s website states he “made the transition” from pastor to professor in 2021.

Morgan is currently listed as a youth ministry director and integrated strategy director for an Ontario based private Christian Bible college.

His biography on the Master’s College and Seminary website indicates he’s currently on leave.

None of the allegations in this article have been proven in court.

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