The pastor of a Fairview Heights church said members of the
congregation are struggling to come to grips after an elder was charged
with the sexual abuse of children.
Dennis Theurer,
who lives in Belleville but was a member of the church in neighboring
Fairview Heights, was charged with eight felony counts for allegedly
sexually abusing two children, Belleville Police announced earlier this
week.
“It’s beyond a betrayal of trust,” said pastor Doug White of
Edgemont Bible Church. “It’s caused so much hurt. It’s like grieving
the loss of a family member.”
White said Theurer volunteered to
babysit children as their parents participated in church services and he
served as a volunteer choir director. Theurer abruptly resigned all his
responsibilities as a church elder about three weeks ago. He had been a
member of the church for about 30 years before suddenly severing ties.
Belleville man accused of molesting children babysat at Fairview Heights church | Belleville News-Democrat
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