Controversy surrounds the metro Atlanta megachurch, 2819 Church, after one of its pastors was arrested on charges involving child cruelty. Kenneth McFarland, 42, was arrested by Stockbridge Police Department on November 10 and placed in Henry County Jail, as confirmed by jail records. The church, which has a substantial following of more than 1.4 million on YouTube, promptly addressed the incident.
Upon learning of McFarland's arrest, the church leadership acted, suspending and then ultimately dismissing the pastor. In an online statement, the church said, “Every person on our staff must align with scripture and a standard of conduct that inspires others to draw closer to Jesus. We determined that the standard of conduct we have as a church, especially for those involved in pastoral ministry, was violated.” This statement, as obtained by Atlanta News First, illustrated the church's position on pastoral conduct and the adherence to scriptural values.
The incident in question involved McFarland's son, who reportedly was struck with a power cord from a gaming system as a form of discipline. A school official from Creekside Christian Academy, noticing blood on the boy's pants, inquired about the injury. The young boy explained that his father had hit him because he had received an in-school suspension. Police reports noted bruising on the child's upper right thigh and lower buttocks.
Following the arrest, McFarland was granted a $2,500 bond and is currently released as the investigation continues. The church issued a social media statement condemning violence and affirming its continued support for McFarland's wife and children, while urging the public to avoid gossip and speculation. This particular detail was reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. They reiterate their condemnation of the violence especially when it involves children and their commitment to family support in difficult times.
The fallout of this case is yet to be fully realized, but the community and churchgoers await the legal process to unfold. Meanwhile, 2819 Church leaders have made clear that they are actively taking steps to address this matter in line with their faith and organizational policies.
