Atlanta Pastor Arrested for Allegedly Beating Stepson with Power Cord
A shocking story has emerged out of Atlanta involving Kenneth McFarland, a 42-year-old associate pastor from the multiethnic 2819 Church. McFarland was arrested on November 10, 2025, after being accused of cruelly beating his 15-year-old stepson with a power cord from the boy’s gaming system. The arrest came after the child, who had received an in-school suspension, arrived at Creekside Christian Academy in Hampton, Georgia, with visible blood on his pants.
According to police reports, the boy approached the assistant principal and asked if he had noticed the blood. When asked what caused the injury, the child reportedly said, “my dad called himself disciplining me.” The assistant principal immediately contacted local authorities, who documented bruising on the child’s upper right thigh and lower buttocks. Police allege that McFarland administered the beating in response to the in-school suspension, using the extension cord before the school day had even begun.
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McFarland was booked into Henry County Jail and released two days later on a $2,500 bond. He currently faces a second-degree charge of cruelty to children, which carries a potential prison sentence of one to ten years under Georgia law. Attempts to contact McFarland for comment were unsuccessful, and it remains unclear whether he is still actively affiliated with 2819 Church. The church’s website does not list him as a current pastor, although social media posts indicate he had preached there as recently as 2023.
Beyond his role in ministry, McFarland also operates a gun training business called GFG Trains, or God Family Guns. His business Instagram portrays a message of resilience and combatting personal struggles, stating, “A never-ending loop of battles with adversaries and ourselves. But enough is enough. We have to fight back.”
The incident has drawn wider attention due to the church’s reputation and the public statements of its lead pastor, Philip Anthony Mitchell, who has previously spoken about his own journey from difficult circumstances into ministry alongside McFarland. In a 2023 post, Mitchell described their pasts as being “from the street in deep darkness” before entering “the Kingdom of light to do His glorious work.”
This case has ignited discussions about discipline, child safety, and accountability within faith communities. The authorities are now handling the investigation, and the coming weeks may reveal more details as the legal process unfolds. In the meantime, the story has left many shocked that such a violent act could be carried out by someone entrusted with spiritual leadership and care for children.
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