MI-SEN: Rogers' campaign faith coalition has two ties to a church upended by child sex crimes

The scandal brewing at Mark Barclay’s Living Word Church — which includes three ministers being convicted and sentenced for criminal sexual conduct with minors — now has two connections with the campaign of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

Rogers, of White Lake, appointed Tim Cross and Brian Ford in November to his faith coalition, which comprises a senior leadership team within his campaign, to help “lead grassroots outreach to faith communities, building important relationships, sharing Mike’s America First vision, and mobilizing people of faith across Michigan.”

Both Cross and Ford are lead pastors at the Muskegon and Ludington branches, respectively, of Mark Barclay Ministries, including his Living Word Church franchise.

The branch of Living Word Church in Midland became the source of controversy and criminal allegations when three of its ministers were accused of sexually abusing children. While Barclay has not been accused or charged in the matter, three of his ministers, James Randolph, Randy Saylor and Brandon Saylor, were charged, convicted and sentenced for those crimes over the past several years.


https://michiganadvance.com/2026/05/13/rogers-campaign-faith-coalition-has-two-ties-to-a-church-upended-by-child-sex-crimes/