Our History…the (sort of) Short Version

Like just about any church that has been around a while, Living Word has a rich and storied history. A lot of time has passed since Living Word was founded in 1980, so it would simply be impractical—and maybe a little tedious—to include every little detail. Instead, we’ve put together what we believe are the most important chapters of our story to help you gain an understanding of just who we are.

It All Began Under a Pew

In the late 1970s, Mark T. Barclay was studying under Dr. George E. Evans at Berean Bible College in San Diego, California. One morning while praying under a pew in the college chapel, Brother Barclay saw a vision. In this vision, he saw a map of the state of Michigan and as he watched, a spark ignited the central Michigan area. The spark grew into a flame and began to spread, first across the state, then the nation, and finally over the whole earth.

This vision marked the beginning of a season of intense fasting and prayer during which Jesus spoke to Brother Barclay about the future of his ministry. After a process of events, Brother Barclay relocated back to his native Michigan with the mission of pioneering a church in Midland.

Build Me an Army

One of the specific commands that Jesus gave Brother Barclay regarding this new church was that it must not be just any ordinary church. “I want you to build me an army,” Jesus commanded, “and if it ever turns into an ordinary church, you are to close its doors.” This command would form what some might regard as the very thesis of Living Word’s existence. Experts in such matters have testified that the amount of work and ministry that we do is consistent with that of a church several times our size.

The Early Years

When Brother Barclay arrived in Midland, pretty much all he had to work with was faith. There was neither a building nor a body of believers waiting here for him. On the contrary, it didn’t take long to figure out that most Midlanders wanted nothing to do with this Mark T. Barclay or the church he had come here to start. It was only through supernatural favor that Brother Barclay was even able to find a home in which he and his family could live. The basement of that rental home—the “Hancock House,” as we call it—was the very first sanctuary Living Word occupied.

As the Lord blessed Living Word in those early days, the church grew and soon needed a new place to meet. Still unable to find anyone willing to rent space to the church, Living Word moved into the Jaycee hall and began to meet there. It wasn’t really a proper church facility at all, but that didn’t seem to matter much to Jesus or to those of us that joined Brother Barclay during that season. Before long though, the city ended up condemning the Jaycee hall, and once again Living Word found itself needing a new place to meet.

The Church in the Cornfield

The Lord Jesus didn’t seem to be moved much by the fact that the city of Midland condemned the Jaycee hall. During that same season, the Lord moved on Living Word’s behalf and brought about the purchase of a building on the northeast corner of Stark and Letts roads, in a rural area—hence the cornfield nickname—just west of the city limit. For the first time, Living Word had a facility that could honestly be called a church building.

Blessing and growth continued, and soon we needed to expand. An addition program was launched and part way into it, the church encountered some financial obstacles which forced a delay in completion. Brother Barclay instructed the workers to drive nails just below the ones that had already been driven, thereby putting works to our faith and activating progression. God honored our faith and brought supernatural supply which allowed us to complete the addition.

Enlarging the Stakes of Our Tent

The blessing of the Lord continued and before long, even the addition of a second Sunday morning service was insufficient to meet the needs of our growing congregation. As we entered the latter part of the 1980s, we launched into our first large-scale building program which would move us into an all-new 20,000 square-foot steel-frame building. The old sanctuary would be converted to serve as children’s facilities. Over the years, we had bought out a handful of neighbors and converted the homes into support buildings, including publications, storage, and the admin building. In 1988, we moved into the new sanctuary, built mostly by the ministry of helps. In November of that year, Brother Barclay’s pastor, the late John Osteen, came to help us dedicate the new building.

In 2001, we rejoiced in the Lord as we finally liquidated the $1.1 million mortgage on the building. Some of the programs which we used to pay it off (such as the “dollar box”) have stayed with us and are helping us prepare for our future.

We Are an Army

After all these years, Brother Barclay has been faithful to build the army that the Lord Jesus commanded him. Together, we help him preach all over the United States and many foreign countries. Together, we helped him pioneer the television ministry that carries the gospel into thousands of homes every week. We pour out our lives to help others meet this Jesus who has rescued and blessed us all so much. We love preachers, and we help our Pastor minister to them all over the world.

We are a church on the move, there’s no doubt about it. Hang around for a while and you’ll fall in love with ministry just like we have. We are a “book of Acts” church, as there are many missionaries and other preachers who have been raised up and sent out with the endorsement of the Lord Jesus, and who come and go from here on a regular basis. Our church is strong and stable, our leadership is clean, and we have never had a church split in our history. The Lord Jesus moves in our services by His Spirit, and there is not one among us whom He has not saved, blessed, healed, or delivered in some way.

That Was Then…This Is Now

Living Word has come a long way since its birth in the early 1980s. When once almost no one wanted anything to do with us, we are now respected in the city gates. During our 25th anniversary celebration, we were honored to receive written commendations from many high-ranking public officials, including our governor, congressman, and several city and county officials. We enjoy great favor with our local authorities, and some even call Living Word their church home. In the beginning, all we had was a rental home and our faith, but the Lord has been faithful to bless and establish us. As a church, we have broken almost every record there is to break in the church world. Other churches switch out their pastors every few years, but we have enjoyed over a quarter of a century with the same pastor, and if the Lord should tarry, we are looking forward to serving beside him for years to come.

Looking to the Future

Even though we are decades old, the Lord Jesus is not done with us yet! We have a big assignment, and we need all the help we can get in order to accomplish it. We’re honored that you would take the time to learn some about our history; now, we would like to invite you to join our ranks and add your story to ours. Come and let Jesus bless your life and family the way he has ours. Come and be a part of what the Lord Jesus is doing in the earth through Living Word Church.