Father and Son Pastors Deny Sex Abuse Charges, Father Pleads Not Guilty

By Patrick Cooley
Cleveland.com
June 5, 2014

http://www.cleveland.com/westlake/index.ssf/2014/06/father_and_son_pastors_deny_se.html

Church on the Rise is located on Crocker Road in Westlake. (Patrick Cooley/NEOMG)

An official at Church on the Rise on Crocker Road publicly addressed sex-crime charges levied against a senior church leader and his son during a Wednesday evening service.

Paul Endrei, 53, faces multiple charges of sexual battery and gross sexual imposition, while his son, Jordan Endrei, 26, faces a charge of unlawful sexual contact with a minor. Both are accused of abusing the same girl, who was 14 years old at the time of the suspected abuse.

Both men spoke to the congregation Wednesday night, but didn't directly address the criminal charges.

The official told church members that both men adamantly deny the charges and expect to plead not guilty. He promised the church would be forthcoming with its members about the criminal cases as they proceed.

Paul Endrei, who was arraigned in Lorain County Common Pleas Court Thursday, already entered a not guilty plea.

He serves as a senior pastor at Church on the Rise, while his son is an assistant pastor.

Jack Bradley, a Lorain attorney representing both men, said the cases are going to move to the pretrial process and said he is reviewing the evidence. He said Thursday that he has nothing to add to their denial of the charges.

Both men are free on personal signature bonds.

Jordan and Paul Endrei both briefly spoke at Wednesday's service - most of which was taken up by a sermon from a guest pastor - but mentioned the charges against them only in passing.

The church released an official statement after Paul Endrei was indicted, but after Jordan Endrei's arrest, church officials said they had nothing to add. The statement said the accuser is a troubled adolescent and asked people to pray for her.

Church on the Rise had its first service in October 1993 and has a more modern look than most area worship centers. The congregation gathers in a main hall that doubles as a basketball court and features a stage that sits underneath three screens that show the lyrics to worship songs.

The church regularly invites guests to speak at services, and in February 2009, the congregation received a visit from NBA great Shaquille O'Neal. Congregants who wanted to hear the basketball legend speak were asked to bring canned food to donate to charity.