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MI Church Youth/Music Director Fired, Arrested for Child Sexual Abuse Crimes

Zach Radcliff, son of senior pastor, worked at Oakwood Church for eight years.

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Zachary Radcliff, 29, the former youth and music director at Oakwood Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was arraigned on October 20 for 11 felony charges, including criminal sexual conduct, child sexual abuse, and the use of a computer or the internet to commit a crime.

Zach Radcliffe / YouTube screenshot

Radcliff, the son of Oakwood’s Senior Pastor Frank Radcliff, had served at the church for almost eight years, the elder Radcliff told MinistryWatch.

In a statement, the church said it was recently made aware of “disturbing news” about Zach Radcliff. “We realized while talking to him that there was more to the situation than was being expressed. He was suspended with pay on October 3rd, pending further investigation.”

Immediately after the church was provided with “more information,” Frank Radcliff said, “Zach was terminated from his job, without pay effective Saturday, October 12th.”

“The information that we received was shocking. We were told that Zachary had been soliciting inappropriate photos and possibly videos from teens,” the church statement read. “This information has ripped our hearts apart. The safety and protection of the individuals in our church is what is paramount to us. We are devoted to doing what we can for the care of the victims of these crimes.”

The church said it alerted state police alongside other families involved. Leaders also said they are not fully aware of the extent of Zach Radcliff’s alleged crimes, but they are cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation.

According to the Michigan Penal Code, the charge of criminal sexual conduct is defined as “sexual penetration” of another person who is under age 13 or between 13 and 16 years old and related to the perpetrator. It also applies if the perpetrator is in a position of authority over the victim or if the victim is mentally incapacitated or the perpetrator used force or coercion.

If Zach Radcliff is found guilty of first degree criminal sexual conduct, he could face life in prison.

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Oakwood Church pointed out that all of its staff and those working with children and teens go through a background check. The church didn’t mention if they require any child safety protection training.

The church is setting up counseling for any youth or adults impacted by Zach Radcliff’s alleged crimes, and more information about that will be forthcoming.

“We have a desire to serve our Master in this community, with the understanding that the church family should be one of the safest places we can be involved in. Part of that trust has been broken. Our commitment is to be completely transparent and do what we can to help with this investigation,” the statement closed.

According to the Michigan Courts website, Zach Radcliff is being held on a $3 million bond. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for October 31.

Zach Radcliff Music social media pages say he is a professing Christian and country music recording artist.

 

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Kim Roberts

Kim Roberts is a freelance writer who holds a Juris Doctorate with honors from Baylor University and an undergraduate degree in government from Angelo State University. She has three young adult children who were home schooled and is happily married to her husband of 28 years.

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