MIDLAND (MI)
Huron Daily Tribune [Bad Axe MI]
September 4, 2025
By Tereasa Nims
There could be a delay in the start of the sexual assault trial of suspended Living Word Church Associate Pastor Randy Saylor, due to a hearing on Wednesday about a possible conflict of interest.
The trial for Saylor, 73, is set to begin Sept. 22 in Midland County Circuit Court. He is charged with three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct of a person under 13 and two counts of second-degree CSC with a relationship. Saylor is free on a $50,000 cash/surety bond.
Saylor’s attorney, Matthew Reyes, formerly represented a man who is set to be called by Assistant Midland County Prosecutor Courtney Driscoll as a witness in Saylor’s trial. The witness is the father of two of Saylor’s alleged victims and is expected to be cross-examined by Reyes during the trial.
Reyes represented the father in an abuse and neglect case that was filed after Saylor was charged. Driscoll said the case proceeded during the pendency of the Saylor case and directly involves the CSC charges against Saylor.
Saylor waived any conflict of interest. But the witness asked for more time to decide.
Driscoll said Reyes didn’t do anything wrong or unethical, but this is just a formality where both Saylor and the victims’ father have to waive any potential conflict of interest.
The Rev. James Randolph, 59, the son-in-law of Living Word Church Pastor Mark Barclay, was convicted on Aug. 29 in Midland County Circuit Court of 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; and three counts of second-degree CSC involving a relationship.
Barclay’s son, Josh Barclay, said none of the misconduct by either Saylor or Randolph occurred on church property.