Pastor Never Left Unattended with Children

By Marc Filippino
The Courier
September 6, 2012

http://courier.mainelymediallc.com/news/2012-09-06/Front_Page/Pastor_never_left_unattended_with_children.html

James Napier

A pastor who works with homeless residents has resigned from a local mission in downtown Biddeford after being charged with possessing child pornography.

James Napier, 60, a pastor and director of New Beginnings Christian Mission located at 137 Main St. in Biddeford, was arrested at his home in Alfred on Saturday, Sept. 1 and was charged with possession of sexually explicit material, according to a press release from Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

According to the release, members of the State Police Computer Crimes Unit were tipped off on Friday, Aug. 31, when a search of Napier’s computer found more than 100 images of child pornography. The charge is a felony since the children depicted appear to be younger than the age of 18, according to the release.

There was no indication any of the children in images on his computer were from Maine, according to the release.

Barry Judd, chairman of the board of directors of New Beginnings Christian Mission, addresses allegations against James Napier, a former pastor at the mission. Napier was arrested Saturday, Sept. 1 for possessing more than 100 images of child pornography on his computer. (Marc Filippino photo) Barry Judd, chairman of the board of directors of New Beginnings Christian Mission, addresses allegations against James Napier, a former pastor at the mission. Napier was arrested Saturday, Sept. 1 for possessing more than 100 images of child pornography on his computer. (Marc Filippino photo) Napier was arrested and taken to York County Jail, where he was freed on $500 bail, according to Justin Kittredge, a special agent with the Maine state computer crimes unit. Napier’s bail conditions state he is barred from contacting anyone younger than 18 and from using the Internet.

During a press conference held at the mission on Tuesday, Sept. 4, Barry Judd, chairman of the board of directors of the mission, said he has received Napier’s letter of resignation on Saturday, Sept. 1. The board also revoked Napier’s ordination and he no longer holds the title or credentials or reverend of the group, Judd said.

Judd said he first learned of the situation from Napier on Saturday, Sept. 1 and alerted the congregation after a church meeting on Sunday, Sept. 2. Judd said he will assume day-to-day operations at the mission until a replacement is found.

“The mission was started to demonstrate the love and faithfulness of Jesus Christ and we will continue to demonstrate his love and communication with anyone we come into contact with,” Judd said.

New Beginnings Christian Mission was started in 2005 and is a non-denominational church mission. Napier was one of the founders, Judd said. Napier passed a background check when he was named director and, to Judd’s knowledge, has no prior record.

Judd said he has known Napier for the last five years and said he was “shocked” by Napier’s actions. Judd said Napier is married, but did not disclose whether Napier had children of his own.

The mission serves between 60 and 70 individuals, but Judd said the congregation is “somewhat transient.” No church member is permitted to be alone with children at any time and Napier was never in charge of children’s activities, Judd said.

“The Jim Napier we were aware of was very devoted to this mission and had a passion for all the members of this community,” Judd said.

Judd said he hopes to rebuild faith in the mission by keeping an open line of communication with the congregation.

“We have always made it so that the most vulnerable parts of our congregation are protected and cared for,” Judd said. “We are going to remind them that no human is the center of our faith; therefore no human can remove faith and trust because it was never built upon humans to begin with.”

Napier is scheduled to appear in Springvale District Tuesday, Oct. 23.