Former pastor Joseph M. Krol pled not guilty to a charge of grooming a minor. His plea, entered Dec. 2., came six weeks after his arrest at his home in Dawson. Krol was pastor of Rochester First Baptist Church at the time, but the charge was in connection with his ministry at Galilee Baptist Church in Macon County. Krol was accused of encouraging a minor to engage in sex-related activities in a series of texts that began in July, about the time he left the Macon County church to accept the pastorate in Rochester.
Rochester First Baptist Church suspended Krol as pastor immediately after his arrest on Oct. 15. Then, within a week, the congregation voted to terminate his employment.
Krol also pleaded not guilty to three charges in addition to grooming, including obstruction of justice. His next court appearance is scheduled Jan. 7.
Krol’s wife is employed by the Illinois Baptist State Association.
IBSA has made resources available to both churches as they have sought to minister in light of the charges. IBSA continues to urge all Illinois Baptist churches to screen potential volunteers and staff in accordance with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services guidelines and the background check system offered by Federal Bureau of Investigation. In addition, IBSA informs churches about the Illinois mandatory reporting regulations through online resources and in-person training sessions.
Messengers to the Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting made protection of vulnerable people a top priority in 2019, at the same time the Southern Baptist Convention adopted similar measures. Procedures for screening of church employees and volunteers that revealed previous convictions were already in place at the time. The SBC added encouraging the sharing of information about credible accusations among its churches to its procedures, with a heightened emphasis on acknowledgement of victims and ministry to them.