"an inappropriate physical relationship with an adolescent minor girl that continued for a few years." Do you mean rape of a child? This sounds like a major cover-up. How can this go on for a couple of years without anyone knowing about it? Sounds like the church wanted to save face and shipped the pastor out of town. This man and the church needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Parents should sue this church for compensation of the damages done. Harboring child rapists is beyond disgusting, not to mention illegal.

I'm sure others knew of this crime but rtemained silent.

Stop sugar coating this Patch, he is a child rapist.

I don't believe the Patch is 'sugar coating.' Journalism requires an unbiased coverage, unless it is an opinion column. When this story develops further, and the police investigation offers more detail and charges, we can be sure the Patch and other publications will call the kettle whatever the color the kettle is.

There is nothing I read to indicate the church knew about this until the victim came forward. It seems to me that Pastor Lennon reacted appropriately and quickly.Let's be cautious about blaming the church until there is evidence that the church knew about this all along.

Shame on those who are jumping to conclusions. There is no need to make what is clearly a bad situation even worse by conjecturing. Reporting is almost if not always biased and incomplete, and I have no doubt that this is a clear example of that, so shame on the reporter, too. Real people are involved here.

It even states that the Senior paster contacted the police. What kind of cover up is that?

It also stated the Senior paster reported it to the police. How is that a cover up?

I don't know if any church officials knew about this before it was revealed. I doubt if Evans spoke to anyone about it but I wouldn't be surprised if the young girl revealed something about it to a friend or relative.

As someone closer to the situation than they ever wanted to be I am saddened by the rumors and untruths already flying. He resigned months before these allegations came out there was no "ship out" he was recruited by a job, not asked to leave. If people feel they can make incredibly uneducated comments about a situation to which they are ignorant perhaps reading and comprehending the article accurately would be a good start.

People are always ready, willing, able and DELIGHTED to jump to conclusions. I guess it's human nature, sad to say. I am of course appalled by this news from West Suburban Community Church, but I am even more appalled by the "vultures" hovering up above ready to pounce on whoever they feel like pouncing on just to extract some juicy juice. It is beyond comprehension how people can behave this way; worse than vultures, actually!!!

One other thought to cogitate on; that is, if some of you have the ability to cogitate (do you even know the meaning of the word?). I don't know how well you know your Bible (not very well if you want my never-to-be-humble opinion), but when that woman was taken in the act of adultery and set in the midst of that crowd of holier-than-thou men ready to stone her to death, Jesus stooped down and wrote something in the dirt (nobody knows what it was he wrote); then he stood up straight as you please and said, "Let he among you who is without sin cast the first stone." Wow! What's was a fellow to do with that announcement?! They ALL dropped their stones and walked away, probably with their chins dragging on the ground (that last phrase was mine, not found in Scripture). Then Jesus asked the women where her accusers were, and she was amazed at what happened. Jesus said to her, "Neither do I accuse you; go and do not sin again." I am paraphrasing, but you get the gist (at least I hope you do; if not, all is lost)! Now those of you who have conjectured and made ridiculous comments without any basis whatsoever, grow up! This pastor and his people have quite enough to deal with; they don't need your never-to-be-humble opinions that, in the final analysis, don't amount to a hill of beans.

Just as you have the right to speak your mind ....so do we. Lets try this shoe on for size .....imagine it being your daughter. How would you feel ?

Amen!

I would humbly ask those in the Elmhurst faith community to pray for all concerned in this matter. First and foremost for the victim, and then for our church and for our former pastor and his family. It is a heartbreaking situation. Sin is like a cancer, it eats up everything in its path. And although there is forgiveness for any sin in Christ that does not mean that there are not consequences that can be quite dire. The police will do their job and despite the terrible nature of what has occured the matter has been handled with integrity and transparency by our church leaders. We are all crushed and hurting, disappointed, but looking to our Lord and savior to sustain us and carry us through. Please pray for all affected.

Hi, John: My husband and I are praying and pulling for the entire church and for Pastor Jim, who has handled this bleak situation with wisdom and authority, bless his heart. I am sure that HIS family is hurting as well because they, too, have been caught up in this sordid situation, same as everybody else. I must take issue with one thing, however. Even though I am aware about the law here in the state of Illinois concerning the underage factor when it comes to taking advantage of a female, still, a 16-year-old today is far, far more knowledgeable about life than a 16-year-old was when I was that age (in the olden days, shall we say). A 16-year-old today is not a "victim" so far as I'm concerned. She knows precisely what she is doing. That does not excuse the actions of a "man of God," who should know better, although, as Scripture tells us, "There is NONE righteous, NO, NOT ONE." I just want it made clear that I find it very hard today to consider a 16-year-old a "victim."

I just want to make one thing really clear: At no time has anyone officially confirmed the age of the victim. No information is being shared about the victim whatsoever.

First of all, Ann, please re-read my comment and do not attempt to misquote me because when I am misquoted it makes my teeth rattle.

Secondly, Karen, thanks for the info about a lack of official confirmation concerning the age of the young woman. I believe that at least one person on this forum posted that she was 16.

Let's hope that every person who saw, suspected or may have been harmed by Darin Evans, will find the courage and strength to speak up and contact police, no matter how long ago the abuse happened.

It is extremely rare that a child predator has only one victim. Some have many.
Also keep in mind your silence only hurts, and by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting others

Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA, 636-433-2511. snapjudy@gmail.com,
"SNAP (The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) is the world's oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 12,000 members. Despite the word priest in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, teachers, Protestant ministers and increasingly, victims who were assaulted in a wide range of institutional settings like orphanages, summer camps, athletic programs, Boy Scouts, etc."

To those who are still reading this article and the comments stated here I would like to throw my opinion into the ring. The article has not stated what the victim's age is at the current age but since you all keep throwing the age of 16 into the mix here is what I have to say: if the child is 16 years old she is considered a minor in the state of Illinois. In addition, according to the confession of Mr. Evans, the relationship went on for years. Mr. Evans moved away almost a year ago, to Ohio. So, you do the math, statutory rape justifiers, bet she was 13 when it first started. If that is the case, was she asking for it then? I am disgusted that you have justified your opinions based off what you think you know of a sexual predator. This man says in his statement that there were no other victims, but I personally don't believe liars. This man lied to his wife, his children, his congregation, his God, the community, Younglife... By not telling someone that he had a relationship with an underaged child FOR YEARS, he became a liar. The people here who are defending him based off of what you know about him, he lied to you too. This man has a mental illness, and he needs help and should be arrested for his pilfering of innocence. Slut shaming is totally unacceptable.

Ann, today everybody's a "victim." Nobody seems to want to take any responsibility for his/her actions. It's so much easier to throw up one's hands and announce, "Poor me, I'm a victim." Do not try to put words into my post. I am not excusing what this youth pastor did. My emphasis in that post was that no 16-year-old today is a "victim" unless she is bound and gagged and forced into submission. She is a willing participant; if not, she would have reported it a long time ago. Perhaps you think she was mesmerzied or hypnotized? What is it exactly that makes you consider a 16-year-old today a "victim," having allowed a relationship to go on and on and on? Unless a young girl at that age was threatened with some dire consequence, she was not a "victim."

Wow Ercie, I pray that if you have children and a spouse that your spouse has a different outlook than you.

I'm sorry, Ercie, but you continue to try and justify the RAPE of a minor. Why?

NElmhurstResident, allow me to define the word "rape." "The unlawful compelling of a person through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse; any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person." The key phrases here are "through physical force" and "that is forced upon a person." That is the definition of "rape." When at any time did I try to justify rape?

he turned himself in.

http://elmhurst.patch.com/articles/former-associate-pastor-of-west-suburban-community-church-arrested-for-sexual-assault

Both parties are to blame. And its fishy that she told after he moved away. When she could no longer be with him and was upset that she couldn't. And if it ended in 2011, it was well over the legal age of consent. She shouldn't fuss over one year when she keep with it after numerous years of being legal.

Wow Bob. Apparently you have no daughters.

I agree with you Bob. At some point during this relationship, this female became of legal age, and she remained part and parcel of this illicit, adulterous relationship. She was no longer a victim; she was a willing participant.

Of course you would Ercie. Did it ever occur to you that maybe she was being controlled, manipulated, threatened? No there YOU go Ercie jumping to conclusions and assuming she was no longer a"victim" without knowing All the facts. The same thing you chastised others for doing. Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black.

And did it ever occur to you that HE was the one being controlled, manipulated, and threatened? We don't know, do we. All you have done in your posts is bemoan the fate of this poor little "victim." You seem to forget that little girls grow up and become big girls, and when they do they have to assume at least some of the responsibility of an illicit "adventure." Kapeesh?

Hey Ercie. I kapeesh nothing coming from your one sided, ignorant, pompous, vain mouth. Fact she was a minor, period, by law when this started. He was twice her age. Are you kidding me. Quit making excuses for this sick human being. He's not being persecuted for committing adultery. It is for sex with a minor. Why are we even discussing what happened when she came of age??? That's not the crime here. Or do you refuse to see that and prefer to stand on your soap box spewing scripture and your point of view. The law is the law. He broke it he must pay. A total of 13 counts by the way.

Forgive me for discussing what happened (or rather, what continued to happen when she came of age). I know you don't care very much for cold, hard facts. I know full well what this man is being charged with. I wasn't born yesterday. I know what the crime is. I just prefer to analyze the ENTIRE situation from A to Z. When did I "spew Scripture?" I don't know what you're talking about. Do YOU know what you're talking about?

One more thing E-town mom: Why do you have such a difficult time with the point of view of other posters on this forum? Why are you so defensive? Why are you unable to stand up under the pressure of comments and opinions that differ from yours? If you can't take the heat, I think it would behoove you to stay out of the kitchen.

Ercie u should watch the hazardous items in the kitchen. Because it is u who seems to be the one casting judgement on everyones point of views whwen they don't agree with yours. Furthermore, I have nothing to be defensive of. I am stating fact as well, or do YOU not know what you are talking about. If you read all of your previous posts, you will be reminded of all you spewing. So Ercie...I see it is you who doesn't know what you are talking about.

Ercie, another thing. I don't have a problem with other posts! Just because I have an opinion and I disagree with a post doesn't make it a problem so quit trying to stir the pot... Be careful you might just fall off that soap box Wink Wink. Lol

Oh, I won't fall off! I have excellent balance! LOL!

I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. I am correct one-hundred percent!

Ercie - It's people like you and Bob, with the decades old view of "she was a willing participant" in her own RAPE, that make victims of sexual assault afraid to come forward. Shame on you for trying to rationalize this predator's actions (and that's what he is...A PREDATOR) until the end. It's sick.

NElmhurstResident, please cease and desist from MISquoting me. It makes my teeth rattle. You have made a serious and unfounded accusation against me, and I am not going to allow it to go unanswered. I NEVER once said that the person in question "was a willing participant in her own rape!" Nor did I even THINK of such a thing. If you will take the time to re-read what I DID say (and pay special attention to the TIME FRAME I posted about), you will see what I actually DID say. Hope you comprehend what I said if you will take the time to read it again, and this time much more thoughtfully. Thank you.

I'm assuming it carried on for so many years because the rape victim developed Stockholm Syndrome. Beasts like Mr. Evans often have more than one victim and I hope that they step forward if they exist. I also hope that brain transplants will someday become a reailty so the super-naive like Ercie who defend rapists can have access to a healthy brain

"And did it ever occur to you that HE was the one being controlled, manipulated, and threatened?" - Ercie....yes this woman just made the suggestion that a girl who started getting raped by this pastor at 13 was the one manipulating, controlling, and threatening....

You DID say that "she was a willing participant"... scroll up the page! And I certainly did not take that statement out of context. Maybe YOU should re-read what you wrote and stop claiming that others keep misunderstanding you.

Wade, in response to your comments:

First of all, I have never in my life defended rapists! Secondly, you refer to him as a "beast." According to the Word of God, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." So that also makes YOU and ME "beasts." One doesn't have to rape to be a "beast," if that is the word you wish to use.

Secondly, according to the reports I have read, this female was 16 years of age when it all began (not 13, as you erroneously stated). Still under age, but do the math, Wade. It's really very simple. If she was 16 and the year was 2004, and the relationship continued until 2011, that would put her at approximately 23 years of age I would think. THEREFORE, for a time span of approximately five years, this "little girl" was of age and knew all about the birds and the bees.

Perhaps there IS a necessity for a "brain transplant" here but, contrary to your suggestion, it is not I who needs it!

NElmhurst Resident:

I am sorry but your level of comprehension is lower than snake's belly. Do the math, and you will no doubt come to the correct mathematical conclusion (I'll not hold my breath).

Ercie I would have to believe in god in order for that to be true....? And I don't so shame on you for putting beliefs in my head! I worship the church of the flying spaghetti monster

If you're going to cite the bible in your defense I'm going to cite harry potter.

I'll cite the Bible all I want; there is no rule here that I can't. And as for your "flying spaghetti monster" and/or "Harry Potter," you're free to post any kind of nonsense that you wish.

You "dare" me to what? Okay, here goes. I do not care to correspond any further with an individual who cannot spell a simple word like "rebuttal." How's THAT for a rebuttal, Babycake?

It has become exceedingly clear to me that, contrary to the concern for underage females that you have attempted to portray here and have done so very ineffectively, your TRUE nature and your REAL feeling toward the female sex have become abundantly clear. Only a man who loathes the female sex would use the word "bitch." In other words, sir, you are what is commonly referred to as a "misogynist." If you don't know the meaning of the word, go look it up in Mr. Webster's book. In closing, I would like to bring to your attention that you need to take a crash course, not only in spelling, but in sentence construction and proper English usage.

Wade, please. You know better. Comments deleted for violating our terms of use.

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