Horrific details have emerged as the son of a megachurch pastor is arrested on shocking crimes involving minors.
Pastor Nathan Peternel built his reputation preaching purity, moral vigilance, and the dangers of lust.
But now, one of Indiana’s most prominent Christian leaders has stepped down from the pulpit amid a deeply disturbing scandal involving his son, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Pastor Nathan Peternel Steps Down
Peternel, the well-known leader of Life Church, an Assemblies of God affiliate, has spent years warning against sexual temptation.
He's closely tied to powerful state Republicans and co-hosts a podcast with Indiana's lieutenant governor on faith and sex.
But in a dramatic reversal, the pastor is now facing a crisis within his own home after his 24-year-old son, Jonathan Wesley Peternel, was arrested on child sex abuse materials charges, per the Indiana Citizen.
The arrest has divided his once-loyal congregation, left police stunned by what they uncovered, and triggered internal chaos at the church.
Credit: Hamilton County Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Shocking allegations and disturbing discoveries
According to court documents, police seized a massive stash of electronic devices from Jonathan Peternel’s home containing hundreds of files depicting child sexual abuse.
Investigators described the contents as among the worst they had ever seen, reportedly including violent molestation, sadomasochistic scenes, intoxicated minors, and even AI-generated images of nude pregnant toddlers.
Investigators even allegedly found sex tapes of Jonathan’s own parents.
It remains unclear how Jonathan obtained the private recordings, but Pastor Peternel later told the congregation that he and his wife had been “unwise but not sinful” in making them - never imagining the videos would be found among their son’s secret files.
Jonathan has been charged with seven felonies, including child exploitation and multiple counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
He has pleaded not guilty and is currently out on bond. His attorney has not commented publicly.
Authorities say the investigation started with a CyberTip Report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, flagging files linked to a Snapchat account in Jonathan’s name.
A warrant led police to even more disturbing material, along with messages suggesting he was part of a Snapchat group called “Diddy Disciples” - a likely reference to Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently serving time for transporting individuals for prostitution.
Jonathan’s background adds another layer of controversy.
He is a member of the Indiana National Guard and works as a Black Hawk helicopter mechanic.
Officials have not confirmed whether he has been suspended from that role.
Church officials have stated publicly that they remain united, but insiders paint a more chaotic picture.
Emergency meetings were reportedly held behind closed doors as church leaders scrambled to keep members from leaving and donors from backing out.
Staff were instructed to be available for questions, but to avoid taking a position on whether Peternel should stay in leadership.
On the Sunday following his son's arrest, a visibly shaken Pastor Peternel addressed the congregation.
Fighting back emotion, he called Jonathan’s alleged crimes “a wicked sin” and announced he would temporarily step aside.
Life Church issued its own statement saying it would cooperate fully with law enforcement and offered prayers for the victims.
Jonathan Peternal. Credit: Fishers Police Department
Political ties raise the stakes for church leadership
The scandal’s impact reaches beyond the church walls.
Peternel is a key figure in Indiana's Christian conservative movement and a close ally of Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith.
The two co-host a podcast called Jesus, Sex & Politics, where they advocate for sexual purity, criticize pornography, and call for abstinence before marriage.
They also speak out strongly against adultery and homosexuality, positioning themselves as moral leaders in both religious and political spheres.
Peternel has donated to Beckwith’s political campaigns and served as a delegate at GOP conventions.
Several of Beckwith’s staffers attend Life Church, and the lieutenant governor himself pastors the church’s Noblesville campus.
Micah Beckwith (left) and Nathan Peternal (right). Credit: Instagram/Micah Beckwith
Beckwith released a short statement confirming he learned of the allegations on October 23 and declined further comment.
But behind the scenes, sources say the situation set off a scramble to control the damage and manage optics.
Some longtime members remain uncertain about what the future holds. While leaders say the church is being transparent, they’ve also made clear that decisions won’t be made by popular vote.
“There has been transparency,” one longtime attendee told the Daily Mail, “but we're not voting on whether to keep the pastor.
"That's not how this church works.
"They're telling us to trust the process, trust the leaders and not get distracted from God.”