‘Lives have been damaged.’ Inside the sexual abuse scandal at Living Word Church
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In the aftermath of three sexual abuse convictions, an MLive investigation examined the history of Living Word Church in Midland County and its founder, televangelist Mark T. Barclay.
Reporting explored how the initially small church over nearly five decades grew into an international religious enterprise — and how allegations of abuse inside Barclay’s inner circle exposed divisions between church leadership, victims and former members.
THE CONVICTIONS
Beginning in 2023, three leaders within Living Word Church were charged and convicted of sexual abuse involving at least eight children.
The offenders included Associate Pastor Randy L. Saylor, who has followed Barclay since 1980; Randy Saylor’s son, church elder Brandon Saylor; and James P. Randolph, who is Barclay’s son-in-law.
Brandon Saylor and Randolph worked with the youth ministry, according to the church and former members.
Read more https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2026/04/lives-have-been-damaged-inside-the-sexual-abuse-scandal-at-living-word-church.html
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