Quick Summary
- Randy Saylor, former pastor at Living Word Church, received a minimum 10-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting minors.
- Saylor was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person younger than 13.
- The Midland County Circuit Court judge sentenced Saylor to serve between 10 and 25 years in prison.
Randy Saylor, a former pastor at Living Word Church in Midland County, Michigan, was sentenced to serve at least 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting minors.
Midland County Circuit Court Judge Michael Beale sentenced the 73-year-old Saylor on Tuesday to between 10 and 25 years of prison, reported ABC 12 News, as well as lifetime monitoring on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry.
These charges followed Saylor’s arrest earlier in May 2024, when he was accused of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 13, as well as second-degree criminal sexual conduct for incidents that allegedly occurred in 2018.
Living Word Church Administrator William Bailey said in a statement to the Midland Daily News at the time of the arrest that the congregation was “deeply saddened and concerned.”
“It has come to our attention that Randy Saylor, a member of our pastoral team, is under investigation for allegations of sexual abuse,” Bailey stated.
“There are no allegations that the abuse took place at the church or involved the church in any way. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities in their investigation. Randy has been suspended from all duties pending the outcome of the investigation.”
In January, Saylor pleaded no contest to four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a relation and seven counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. As part of his plea, Saylor did not admit to committing any crime, but did so in order to avoid potential civil liability.
Saylor was one of three leaders at Living Word Church in recent times to be convicted of sex crimes related to minors. Saylor’s son, Brandon Saylor, a former elder of the church, was sentenced in April 2024 to five to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing four children.
James Randolph, a former preacher tied to Living Word and the son-in-law of televangelist Mark Barclay, was convicted in August 2025 of six counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a child.
Specifically, a Midland County jury found Randolph guilty of one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child under 13, two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a relationship, and three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a relationship.
In response to the verdict, Barclay posted a statement on his ministry’s Facebook page, saying that he and his family “respect the legal process and the verdict returned by the jury.”
“The recent legal case involving James Randolph has been a very difficult and heartbreaking situation for our church family and community,” stated Barclay at the time.
“We recognize that this situation has caused real pain for many. As a church community, our hearts are with all victims of abuse. We are committed to truth, accountability, and safety in our ministries.”
