A Chicago pastor now faces three felony charges of sexual abuse of a minor.
John Kim, 47, was a longstanding staff member and pastor at Salvation Army Mayfair Community Church for years, according to CBS 2. Last week, authorities arrested and charged him with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of someone under 18.
Kim no longer works at the church, but he was pastor at the Salvation Army church when the alleged abuse occurred.
In a statement, the Salvation Army told CBS 2 they are now aware of the allegations of misconduct being investigated by local authorities. “The alleged actions of this former employee are in direct conflict with our beliefs and values, and every effort is made to prevent, detect and promptly respond to any reports of misconduct,” the statement said.
This incident marks the second time in the past year a Salvation Army pastor has been arrested on allegations of inappropriate relationships with minors.
Last November, MinistryWatch reported on Jeffery Williams, a Colorado youth pastor who turned himself in after an investigation revealed inappropriate communication between him and a minor attending his youth group.
Williams was a pastor under the Intermountain Division of the Salvation Army, which falls under a 20-year-old abuse prevention program titled “Protecting the Mission.” The program aims to prevent and stop abuse by deploying rigid screening requirements, supervision rules, and training standards.
Police released Kim Friday (Jan. 13) after he posted bond.
Main photo: John Kim / Chicago Police Department
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