Rogers Senate Campaign Linked to Church Rocked by Child Sex Crime Convictions
Two pastors on Mike Rogers’ Senate campaign faith team have ties to a church network where three ministers were convicted of child sex crimes.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers appointed two pastors to his campaign’s faith coalition who have connections to a church franchise where three ministers were convicted of criminal sexual conduct with minors.
Rogers, of White Lake, named Tim Cross and Brian Ford to his faith coalition in November to help “lead grassroots outreach to faith communities, building important relationships, sharing Mike’s America First vision, and mobilizing people of faith across Michigan,” according to his campaign.
Both Cross and Ford serve as lead pastors at branches of Mark Barclay Ministries, including his Living Word Church franchise. Cross leads the Muskegon branch while Ford oversees the Ludington location.
Three Ministers Convicted in Scandal
The controversy centers on the Living Word Church branch in Midland, where three ministers were accused of sexually abusing children. James Randolph, Randy Saylor and Brandon Saylor were all charged, convicted and sentenced for these crimes over the past several years.
While Mark Barclay himself has not been accused or charged in connection with the criminal conduct, the convictions have cast a shadow over his ministry network. The three convicted ministers all served at the Midland branch of Living Word Church.
Campaign Response and Resignation
Cross has since resigned from the Rogers faith coalition. He later told WJRT-TV that he apologized for not believing the victims when they initially came forward with their allegations.
When asked about Ford’s continued role in the campaign, spokesperson Alyssa Brouillet did not directly address his status. Instead, she sent a statement noting that Rogers, as a former FBI agent, “spent his career busting human traffickers and protecting victims,” though the statement was cut off in the source material.
The Rogers campaign established the faith coalition as part of its broader outreach strategy for the Senate race. The coalition was designed to build relationships within religious communities across Michigan and mobilize faith-based voters.
Background on Living Word Church Network
Mark Barclay Ministries operates multiple Living Word Church locations throughout Michigan. The franchise model allows individual pastors to lead local branches while maintaining connections to Barclay’s broader ministry organization.
The criminal cases involving the Midland branch represent a significant scandal for the network. The convictions of three ministers on charges involving minors have raised questions about oversight and accountability within the organization.
Rogers, a former FBI agent and congressman, is seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. His campaign’s faith outreach efforts are key to building support among religious voters in the state.
