A powerful pastor at an Indiana megachurch admitted to filming dozens of sex tapes with his wife – content that exploded into public view after his son, allegedly “high at the time,” hacked his parents’ files before being arrested for “sadomasochistic” child porn.
In October 2025, explosive allegations involving child sexual abuse materials emerged against Jonathan Wesley Peternel, the 24-year-old son of Life Church Pastor Nathan Peternel – one of Indiana’s most influential Christian figures.
Jonathan, a member of the Indiana National Guard working as a Blackhawk helicopter mechanic, has been charged with multiple felony counts related to child sexual abuse materials.
According to The Indiana Citizen, the investigation started when a CyberTip was submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Acting on the tip, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Peternel’s Indiana residence and seized multiple electronic devices allegedly linked to Jonathan, as part of the ongoing child exploitation investigation.
‘Sadomasochistic child abuse’
Investigators reportedly uncovered hundreds of files containing graphic child sexual abuse content described as so disturbing it shocked even veteran officers.
“Jonathan Wesley Peternel was arrested on seven felony counts related to child sex crimes,” Fishers Police Department shared in a Facebook post alongside a photo of the accused.
“Evidence was located showing that he possessed over 200 files of Child Sex Abuse Material. Some of this included sadomasochistic child abuse, children that appeared to be drugged or intoxicated while being abused, violent child molestation, and photorealistic AI-generated photos of nude pregnant toddlers.”
Among the shocking findings was the reported discovery of “more than 50 photos and videos” that appeared to show Jonathan’s parents, Pastor Peternel and his wife Christina, “nude or engaged in sex acts,” according to court documents obtained by the Indiana Citizen.
Son was ‘high at the time’
Finally breaking his silence, the pastor addressed the controversy in an audio recording shared with congregants at Life Church, which operates multiple campuses across Indiana.
“There are a lot of accusations circulating and being circulated, and some of them are blatantly false,” Peternel told the congregation, the Daily Mail reports. “Some of them are twisted, and some of them are without context. But in the midst of all those things, there’s a reality that I need to own, and I need to address.”
Confirming that he and his wife had created “up to 50” explicit videos, he claimed the files were stored securely and password-protected until his son – allegedly under the influence – hacked their devices and accessed the videos without consent.
“Within the covenant of our marriage, my wife and I created private, intimate photos and videos,” Peternel said according to 24Sight News. “Although those files were password protected, they were hacked. And they were hacked from a device without our consent, without our knowledge, and that was done by our son, who was high at the time.”
‘Jesus, Sex & Politics’
The fallout from the arrest has left Life Church – once a hub of conservative Christian values – in turmoil. Pastor Peternel, known for promoting modesty, sexual purity, and marital restraint, co-hosts a podcast titled Jesus, Sex & Politics alongside Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith.
On the show, the duo often rail against pornography, homosexuality, and sexual immorality, positioning themselves as moral authorities and “accountability partners.”
Following Jonathan’s arrest, Beckwith – who pastors the Life Church, Noblesville Campus –addressed the congregation, urging them to dismiss allegations, claiming that “the enemy” was “spreading lies,” according to reports by the Daily Mail.
‘Now we see what he’s been up to’
As the community reels from the news, some members are reconsidering their relationship with the church.
“This is ironic,” one longtime member told the Daily Mail. “Pastor Nathan was so obsessed with talking about sex, and now we see what he’s been up to, and what his son was up to. What is done in secret will always see the light of day.”
“It’s funny that this was such a topic of conversation. They talk about sex more than they talk about feeding the poor,” said Juli Westbrook, who recently became a member of the church.
‘Sorry for the distraction and division’
Pastor Peternel claimed all the sex tapes have since been deleted – and despite the scandal, he told his congregation he has no plans to step down from leading Life Church.
“My prayer is that this would not be something that divides us, but actually something that, in the end, is strengthening us,” Peternel said, per 24SightNews. “Although all pastors are still human, I want you to know I’m grieved by this situation. I have to own my mistake. I have to take responsibility for my life.”
Acknowledging the “pain” and “division” the revelations had caused, he added, “I want to apologize for the pain that this has brought to this church and to this community. I am sorry for the distraction and division that this has caused.”
Jonathan Peternel has been charged with seven felony counts, including child exploitation and multiple counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held on $25,000 bond. His public defender has not commented publicly.
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