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	Church Expresses Support for Accused Minister By Edith Brady-Lunny Pantagraph May 8, 2007 http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/05/08/news/doc4640ac4631d27070515180.txt Bloomington — A statement of support and love was issued Tuesday for James C. Love, a minister and substitute teacher facing child molestation and aggravated battery charges. "Rev. Love and his family are long-time members of our church. He and his family have been faithful members in good standing for a number of years. They have worked tirelessly in our church and the community at large, and we love them," according to statement released by Mount Pisgah Baptist Church. Love, 37, faces a total of three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and three counts of aggravated battery for administering an anesthetic agent to three children. He serves as a minister at the local church, where staff members said they will support the Love family, cooperate with authorities and pray for those involved. Love was arrested Friday by Bloomington police on charges that he molested and gave an anesthetic agent to a child within the past week. He posted $10,000 Saturday and was released until his arrest on new charges Monday afternoon (see related story). Bloomington police spokesman Duane Moss said the additional charges relate to two victims interviewed by police this week about alleged incidents within the past five weeks. All of the victims are between 13 and 17 years old, according to court records. Before his arrest, Love was on the list of available substitute teachers in Unit 5 and District 87 schools. On Monday, Unit 5 officials sent a letter home with students letting parents know where Love taught the past two years. He has been removed from the substitute list of about 100 teachers, school officials said. Love's entrance to local classrooms came about five years ago as a volunteer with a State Farm Insurance Co. program to provide free teaching assistance to allow teachers to attend conferences. He later was hired as a paid substitute for the districts. Love is employed by the insurance firm. Last year, Love received Bloomington's human relations award for mentoring youth in the community. He previously served as a director of the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal. Contact: eblunny@pantagraph.com
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