The Prophetic State of the Church | Ps Mark T. Barclay

In a recent episode of the Ask Pastor Steve Podcast, Pastor Steve Cioccolanti welcomed veteran minister and missionary Mark T. Barclay for a wide-ranging discussion about prophecy, leadership, the Word of Faith movement, and the urgency of preparing believers for the return of Christ.

The conversation moved from personal testimony and prophetic words to reflections on the legacy of Kenneth Hagin and the responsibility of the Church in the final days.

A Prophetic Word for 2026

Pastor Steve began by sharing how Barclay had given him a prophetic word at the start of 2026.

Barclay told him that people who had left the ministry prematurely would return. According to Pastor Steve, that word began to come to pass almost immediately.

“People who left your ministry too early, they’re going to be coming back,” Barclay had said.

Within 24 hours, someone who had left the church repented and returned. Later, another former ministry leader reconciled with Pastor Steve during a trip to Mount Sinai.

Barclay also prophesied that the year would bring financial provision for the ministry.

“He said, ‘This year you’re going to see a great release of abundance… financial abundance… resources will come into your ministry to accomplish what God called you to do.’”

Pastor Steve shared that shortly afterward, a supporter bought him a house and another donor gave $100,000 toward ministry projects.

A Missionary Heart

During the interview, Barclay reflected on his decades of ministry around the world.

“I’m really a missionary at heart,” he said. “Most of my life I have traveled very extensively all over the world.”

Over the years, Barclay has ministered in more than a hundred nations and helped establish churches, missions, Bible schools, and humanitarian projects.

His journey began after serving as a Marine during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he attended Bible college and eventually launched into full-time ministry.

“I wasn’t raised a Christian,” Barclay explained. “But I really got things right with God when I came out of that war zone.”

The Legacy of Kenneth Hagin

A major theme of the discussion was the legacy of Kenneth Hagin, widely regarded as one of the foundational leaders of the Word of Faith movement.

Pastor Steve noted that many believers remember only part of Hagin’s mandate.

“Most people say the Lord told Kenneth Hagin to teach my people faith,” he explained. “And later, to teach them how to be led by the Spirit.”

However, he believes a third aspect of Hagin’s calling is often forgotten: preparing believers for the return of Christ.

“There was an original mandate,” Pastor Steve said. “We’re best poised to prepare people for the second coming.”

Barclay agreed that this perspective was central to the early movement.

“In private meetings we would hear even Dr. Hagin say that the real reason for prosperity is to fund us to go get the lost,” Barclay said. “But also to prepare the church world for His coming.”

A Warning About False Teaching

Barclay also recalled a prophecy from Hagin concerning the future of the Church.

According to Barclay, Hagin warned that a widespread wave of false teaching would arise in the last days.

“He said it would be like an overwhelming dark cloud,” Barclay recalled. “People would crash and burn… because they would ride this horse to the barn and refuse to get off.”

Barclay believes the Church is now witnessing the fulfillment of that warning.

“Here we are now in these days still watching this come to pass,” he said.

He described a spiritual tension between two opposing forces.

“I began to see two clouds,” Barclay said. “A cloud of darkness and a cloud of glory manifesting at the same time.”

According to him, believers must decide which one they will pursue.

“You can have the glory if you want it,” he said, “but if you’re not ready, the dark cloud will suck you in like a vacuum.”

The Importance of Discernment

Both ministers emphasized the need for believers to evaluate spiritual voices carefully.

Barclay encouraged Christians to judge teachers by their fruit rather than their popularity.

“We want to judge by fruit,” he said. “What’s hanging on the tree?”

He warned that emotional reactions should not determine what believers accept as truth.

“The modern movement goes by feelings,” he said. “But we judge by the Word of God.”

The Cost of Kingdom Work

Another major theme was the importance of sacrifice in advancing the Gospel.

Barclay explained that ministry cannot function without financial support and committed partners.

“You cannot preach for free,” he said. “The devil’s going to make sure you pay full price, but God is going to make sure you have the full price to pay.”

He also emphasized that believers must be willing to give sacrificially.

“People must sacrifice to the level of uncomfortable pain,” Barclay said. “That’s what sacrifice is.”

Pastor Steve agreed, describing 2026 as a year of opportunity for believers who are willing to sow into God’s work.

“I think people will miss it if they don’t sow their best into the kingdom this year,” he said.

He summarized this approach in three areas:

“Time, talent, and money.”

The Ministry of Helps

The discussion also highlighted the often-overlooked role of the ministry of helps.

Barclay pointed out that many of the greatest ministries in history were built by faithful teams working behind the scenes.

He cited the example of Kenneth Hagin’s publishing ministry.

“It takes laborers,” Barclay said. “God has to send people with talent and ability that help us fulfill the call.”

Pastor Steve echoed that idea, explaining that God is raising up new team members to support the spread of the Gospel.

A Call to Live Ready

As the conversation concluded, Barclay delivered a final message to believers.

He urged Christians to remain committed to the basics of faith and discipleship.

“We know what to do,” he said. “Chase your God, serve your God, submit to your God.”

He encouraged believers to return to foundational practices.

“Attend, submit, forgive, sacrifice, pray, fast, and get your nose in the Word.”

For Barclay, the goal is simple: faithful obedience to Christ in the final days.

“Let’s live like Christians,” he said, “and watch God move on our behalf.”