Church Received No Complaints over Pastor

By Betty Ann Adam
The Starphoenix
August 15, 2012

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Church+received+complaints+over+pastor/7091682/story.html

The Free Methodist Church in Canada never received any complaints about its ordained minister, Kris Gowdy, prior to his being charged Thursday in Ontario with Internet luring and attempted aggravated sexual assault, Bishop Keith Elford said in a statement Tuesday.

Gowdy, 42, worked at Saskatoon's Lakeview Church for 14 months until leaving for another job in July. He was visiting Newcastle, Ont., when he was arrested at a residence after allegedly making arrangements on a social media forum to meet a 15-year-old male for a sexual encounter.

Investigators with the OPP Internet child exploitation unit had posed as a teen in an online sting.

"The Free Methodist Church in Canada and its member congregations have zero tolerance for any activity related to sexual abuse. Any complaints of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of minors are to be reported to the police immediately," Elford said in the statement.

"We are deeply troubled by the allegations that have been brought against Rev. Gowdy. Prior to the present alleged incident, the Free Methodist Church in Canada has not received any complaints (or even rumours) regarding inappropriate behaviour of any kind by Rev. Gowdy."

The church and its congregations were "shocked and deeply grieved," to learn in the news about the charges, the statement says.

The church says its congregations have child and youth protection programs in place. Member churches have been asked to use the Plan to Protect program, which provides guidelines and policies for organizations serving children.

The church says it is committed to co-operating with police.

Contact: badam@thestarphoenix.com