Controversy erupts, threats against critics of televangelist network

Pastor Jeremy Pfeil of Accelerate Church in Amarillo, Texas, issued a warning to those who publicly criticize members of televangelist Mark Barclay’s “Righteous Preachers Network,” particularly James Randolph, who faces sex crime charges.

Pfeil stated that he wouldn’t tolerate such criticism and warned that those who engage with critics might be harmed. He made these comments during a church service, which was live-streamed but later removed.

The incident was recorded and shared on Facebook by a critic of the network. Pfeil and Randolph are part of Barclay’s network, which supports gospel ministers worldwide. Despite the charges against Randolph, Pfeil insisted on his innocence and discouraged congregants from believing news reports and social media.

A former member of Accelerate Church called this behavior manipulation and part of a high-control church culture.

The Roy’s Report writes:

Speaking specifically about those who “lied” about James Randolph, Barclay’s son-in-law who’s been charged with sex crimes, Pastor Jeremy Pfeil of Accelerate Church in Amarillo, Texas, said:

I’m not going to allow people like that around here and I’m letting you know that. They’re not going to come and video. . . . And if you still talk to them and listen to them, you’re gonna be sniped and taken out. Don’t come crying to me later. I’ve warned you and warned you and warned you and warned you!

Randolph is an associate pastor at Living Word International Church in Midland, Mich.—the church Barclay founded. He’s currently facing seven felonies in Michigan, including a child sex crime.

Pfeil made the comments at a service at his church Wednesday night, which was livestreamed but has subsequently been removed.

However, Mark Drapak, who has been a vocal critic of several Righteous Preachers Network members, grabbed excerpts of the service and posted them on Facebook.

“Holy crazy! The infamous Jeremy Pfeil from Accelerate Church casually threatening people who expose him defending his ‘friend’ James Randolph (recently accused of heinous crimes in a Mark Barclay Ministries hideout/church),” Drapak wrote.