An associate pastor at an Atlanta megachurch has been removed from his ministry role after authorities charged him with beating his stepson with a power cord, an incident that came to light when the injured teen arrived at school with dried blood on his clothing, according to police and church officials.
Kenneth McFarland, 42, was arrested Nov. 10 after an assistant principal at Creekside Christian Academy in Hampton, Georgia, contacted authorities upon noticing blood on the back of the student’s pants. According to the Stockbridge Police Department, the teen told school staff the injuries resulted from “discipline” at home. Officers later documented visible bruising on the child’s thigh and lower buttocks.
The report states that the boy, who had received an in-school suspension earlier in the week, told administrators, “My dad called himself disciplining me,” describing how McFarland allegedly struck him with an extension cord taken from his video gaming system. Police said the teen explained that the beating happened the same morning before he was sent to school.
Authorities took McFarland into custody at a residence in Stockbridge before booking him at the Henry County Jail. Jail records confirm he faces a charge of cruelty to children in the second degree. He has not publicly commented on the allegations, and it was not immediately clear whether he had retained an attorney.
McFarland is no longer listed on the official 2819 Church website, though his Facebook page previously identified him as an associate pastor. Sermons featuring McFarland were removed from the congregation’s social media platforms after his arrest, according to archived footage reviewed by reporters. Some recordings remain accessible through Subsplash, where he is still listed as an associate pastor. His LinkedIn page also shows prior ministry work at Victory Church, another metro Atlanta congregation.
In a detailed statement released on X, 2819 Church said McFarland had been “indefinitely suspended” as soon as leadership was notified of the arrest. The statement noted that McFarland “agreed to step down until a decision is made about his future at the church,” adding that he was formally dismissed from his staff position on Nov. 18.
Church leaders emphasized that the internal review process was handled with caution. They wrote that their approach included “several steps… to make sure that this situation was considered without haste and the well-being of everyone involved was considered.” The leadership team also reiterated that ministry workers are expected to uphold “a standard of conduct that inspires others to draw closer to Jesus.”
The church added that communicating openly with its congregation was necessary, given the seriousness of the allegations. In the statement, leaders said they were “deeply disappointed in the circumstances at hand, and grieved for the hurt and pain that was inflicted by someone who carried responsibility in our church.”
The case has renewed scrutiny of how faith-based institutions respond when allegations of abuse arise among clergy or staff. Experts note that churches often face pressure to act swiftly while balancing transparency, pastoral care, and legal obligations. For a broader context, the Associated Press has previously reported on the challenges religious communities encounter in addressing misconduct involving children.
Police have not released additional details about the child’s condition, and no further charges have been announced. The investigation remains active, according to Stockbridge authorities.
