MIDLAND (TX)
Midland Daily News [Midland MI]
May 20, 2024
By Tereasa Nims
Church administrator issues statement regarding charges
Living Word Church Associate Pastor Randy Saylor will be arraigned Wednesday on charges related to alleged 2018 sexual assaults.
Saylor, 71, is the second pastor and third person involved with the church to be charged with such crimes.
He is expected to be arraigned on charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13, and second-degree CSC with a relationship. He is set for an 8:30 a.m. arraignment in Midland County District Court Wednesday. The crimes allegedly occurred around March 29, 2018 and were investigated by Michigan State Police.
“Living Word International Church is deeply saddened and concerned to address recent allegations of misconduct involving one of our ministers,” Living Word Church Administrator William Bailey said in a statement responding to a Daily News request for comment.
“It has come to our attention that Randy Saylor, a member of our pastoral team, is under investigation for allegations of sexual abuse,” Bailey continued. “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.”
Randy Saylor’s son, church volunteer Brandon Saylor, admitted to sexually assaulting four children under the age of 13 for a decade and was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison for three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He wasn’t tried for the fourth child and was given 264 days credit for time served on during his April 4 sentencing in Midland County Circuit Court before Judge Michael Beale.
The Rev. James Randolph, 58, was arrested Nov. 28 and is charged with seven felonies for crimes allegedly occurring in 2011. His charges are two counts of first-degree CSC involving a relationship; one count of second-degree CSC with a child under 13 while Randolph was older than 17; two counts of second-degree CSC involving a relationship; one count of second-degree CSC or subsequent offense; and one count of accosting children for immoral purposes.
Randolph remains out of jail on a $5 million surety bond and is set for a status conference at 8:30 a.m. June 3 with Midland County Circuit Court Judge Beale.
“This is not the first time our church has faced such a situation, and we acknowledge the pain and trauma this causes to those directly affected, as well as our entire community,” Bailey said. “We take this matter and the safety and well-being of everyone in the church very seriously.”
Bailey said an independent investigator recently reviewed the church’s internal safety and protective practices and the results were positive.
“We continue to follow our legal counsel’s advice to make certain we are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our congregation, especially our children, and are praying earnestly for guidance,” Bailey said.
He added, “Our policy has always been to immediately report any misconduct to the appropriate authorities, which we consider a good practice for all parents, churches and ministries. Living Word International Church remains steadfast in our mission to serve and support our community with integrity, compassion, and the love of Christ. We ask for your prayers for all those affected by these troubling circumstances and for wisdom and discernment as we navigate this challenging time together.”