In a full-throated letter denouncing “sexual immorality of ANY kind, especially abuse and pedophilia,” Televangelist Mark Barclay of Mark Barclay Ministries has apologized to child sex abuse victims and current and former members of his Living Word International Church in Midland, Michigan, following the prosecution of three former ministers for child sex crimes in the last two years.
The former ministers include his son-in-law, the Rev. James Randolph, who was sentenced Thursday to 25 to 40 years in prison for criminal sexual conduct involving a person younger than 13, WNEM reported.
“To be extremely clear, Living Word Church and I do not condone, accept, or tolerate sexual immorality of ANY kind, especially abuse and pedophilia. In fact, we condemn it! God has His hand on our church, and we are doing our best to be better and to follow His guidance in this time,” the 73-year-old Barclay wrote in his letter published on Facebook.
“This letter is not written to ask for amnesty nor to defend the way we handled this situation. This is to repent to everyone who has been affected by our actions,” he added. “We recognize that repentance does not erase hurt or instantly heal wounds. Still, we take responsibility for our weaknesses, mistakes, and failures in handling these painful situations. Above all, we are praying for everyone, and we are sincerely sorry.”
In January, 73-year-old Randy Saylor, another former associate pastor of the church, pleaded no contest to 11 sexual assault charges involving victims younger than 13. He is expected to serve a minimum of 10 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. He will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Saylor’s son, Brandon Saylor, a now 46-year-old former elder of the church, was sentenced in 2024 to five to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing four children. Randolph, who was convicted in August 2025 of six counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a child, was forced to face his victim in court on Thursday.
“When I was in the sixth grade, James Randolph began sexually assaulting me in the middle of the night,” said the survivor, who was living with Randolph at the time.
“What started as abuse quickly escalated, becoming more severe over time. This continued for years. Each night, each incident, took something from me, my innocence, my sense of safety, and my understanding of what love and protection were supposed to look like,” she continued.
The survivor said she carried significant shame in silence as a result of the abuse, but she is now free and has forgiven him.
“I am no longer that scared, silent child,” she said. “I am strong, I am healing, and I am free.”
Randolph must serve at least 25 years in prison before he is eligible for parole, and if he is ever released, he will have to wear a monitor for the rest of his life.
Barclay, who had faced much criticism from former members and survivors for how he handled the sexual abuse allegations against the three former ministers, also took the time to address those criticisms directly in his letter.
“For my failures, my blind spots, and any pain caused through poor judgment, I ask forgiveness. As a church and as leaders, we are asking ourselves difficult and necessary questions: How did we get this wrong? Where were we lacking? And most importantly, how do we change so that we do better going forward? These questions are shaping our actions, our policies, and our commitment to protect, shepherd, and lead with greater wisdom and care,” Barclay wrote.
“To our former church members who worked hard to bring awareness to this situation, I also owe you an apology. I chose to believe the people closest to me, and I failed to see your real objective. In doing that, I publicly said things that may have caused hurt and confusion,” he added.
“What I failed to see is that you are simply doing exactly what we always taught you to do — to bring light to darkness and always stand for righteousness. I am very sorry, and you were not wrong to demand integrity. To our active members, we thank you for the grace shown to us and for the privilege of being your church leaders/pastors. No church family should ever have to endure even one case like this.”
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