Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 21/00) - A former pastor who served for more than 25 years with the Pentecostal Church in Inuvik has been charged with two counts of sexual assault.

Inuvik RCMP have charged Rev. Gerald Falk, 56, for incidents that allegedly took place between 1986 and 1991. Cpl. Brian Pinder said Falk, who now lives in Wetaskawin, has already appeared before a justice of the peace and is due to appear in Inuvik territorial court Feb. 14. Pinder declined to provide details in the case, saying what he described as a fairly recent investigation is still ongoing.

"Further charges are pending," reads a police statement. "The RCMP in Inuvik are requesting that any persons with information relating to these offenses contact (the detachment)."

Court documents show the charges stem from incidents that occurred between October 1986 and November 1989 and between May and September 1991, and relate to one complainant.

Falk had been with the Inuvik Christian Assembly Pentecostal Church for more than 25 years, but staffers confirmed Tuesday that he has resigned as pastor. They said lay members of the congregation have been helping hold services at the church and that even though they are searching for a new pastor, they want to make it clear that, "we're carrying on as a church."

When contacted at his Wetaskawin home, Falk refused comment concerning the charges.

The order by the justice of the peace for Falk to appear in territorial court was issued Dec. 21.