Rockford Register Star
June 11, 2008
http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x1563386936/Pastor-accused-of-sexual-assault-leaves-Machesney-church
MACHESNEY PARK —
A Machesney Park pastor accused of having sex with teenage girls has left the church, according to a posting on New Hope Baptist Church's Web site.
 |
| Jonathon Christopher Powell, a Machesney Park pastor accused of having sex with teenage girls, has left the church, according to a posting on New Hope Baptist Church’s Web site. Photo by Sadie Gurman |
The message on the Web site continues to say that the church's school will remain open, although "there will be changes in the future concerning many facets of the ministry."
The message was written by Pastor Josh Rivers who identifies himself as "interim pastor."
The former pastor, Jonathon Powell, was charged in May with two counts of sexual assault for allegedly having sexual relations with a teenage girl.
He was charged with an additional two counts of sexual assault against a different girl after his first arrest was made public.
Powell is scheduled to next appear in court on July 10.
A call left with the church today was not immediately returned.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.