A major Atlanta-area church with a substantial online following has terminated a pastor following his arrest over allegations he physically abused his teenage stepson.
Church Takes Action Following Arrest
The 2819 Church announced it had dismissed pastor Kenneth McFarland after learning of his arrest earlier this month. Executive pastor Lonnell Williams confirmed the church was made aware that McFarland had been detained and charged with what he described as a "serious crime involving the physical harm of a child in his family."
In a strongly-worded statement, Williams emphasised the church's position on the matter. "I want to be very clear that 2819 Church will not tolerate violence of any kind, from any member of our team, especially involving children, as this does not reflect our culture and values," he stated. The church added it would continue to provide support for McFarland's wife and son.
Details of the Alleged Incident
The situation came to light on November 10 when teachers at Creekside Christian Academy noticed the 15-year-old boy had blood on his trousers. According to police reports obtained by religious news outlets, the teenager explained that his injuries resulted from being disciplined by his stepfather with a gaming system cord.
This followed the boy receiving an in-school suspension. A responding officer documented observing bruising on the adolescent's upper thigh and buttocks.
Kenneth McFarland, 43, was subsequently taken into custody by the Stockbridge Police Department and transported to Henry County Jail. He faced allegations of second-degree cruelty to children. Official records confirm he later posted bond and was released from custody, as verified by the sheriff's office to USA Today.
Broader Context and Church Profile
The 2819 Church maintains a significant presence both locally and digitally. Christianity Today identifies it as having a "large following among Black evangelicals" in the Atlanta region, complemented by a massive social media footprint that includes approximately 1.4 million YouTube subscribers.
Services are known for their contemporary production style, featuring concert-style staging, neon lighting, and live musical performances.
McFarland had been serving as a minister or pastor since 2011, according to a LinkedIn profile matching his details. He also appears connected to a firearms training enterprise called God Family Guns and a mobile home real estate venture.
This incident represents another challenging moment for the church, whose founder Philip Anthony Mitchell previously attracted controversy for remarks concerning police interactions with Black individuals. Mitchell later apologised, characterising his earlier language as "harmful."
