Roanoke and Roanoke County public schools have put a stop to an outside group’s Christian ministry to football players following at least two complaints.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation sent letters to both school districts last month that called attention to the Roanoke Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ “watermelon ministry.” The foundation asked the districts to halt the practice of allowing religious leaders to meet with students during school activities.
Officials from both districts said that until the letter arrived, they were unaware of the watermelon ministries, where staff from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes brought watermelon slices to share with football players during summer practices. During the visits, fellowship staff talked with students about their faith, according to Facebook posts from the Christian group, some of which date to 2008.
Both districts said they have ended the practice and talked with coaches and staff about what is allowed.
“Roanoke County Schools believes in the separation of church and state,” Superintendent Greg Killough said. “We want to maintain and ensure that that practice is being followed.”
“When this information came to our attention, we responded immediately,” according to a Roanoke City Public Schools statement issued by spokesman Justin McLeod. “We met with the appropriate people and made it very clear that separation of church and state is the law of the land. We feel the matter is under control and we will monitor this very closely.”
