This Project Next is one you need to watch.
Sarah sits down with independent journalist Tom LoBianco of 24sight News to catch up on his years-long investigation into Life Church, lead pastor Nathan Peternel, his son Jonathan Peternel, and Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith.
What started as one disturbing criminal case has grown into a much bigger story.
Jonathan Peternel pleaded guilty to four felony counts involving more than 200 videos of child sexual abuse material.
Then former members of Nathan Peternel’s youth ministry began coming forward. They described disturbing sexual conversations, treatment of teenagers, and experiences they say harmed them for years. Some now call themselves the “Survivors of Stormfront.” Nathan has not been criminally charged over these allegations.
And then there is Micah Beckwith — Indiana’s lieutenant governor, a friend and longtime associate of Nathan Peternel, and a pastor at Life Church. Beckwith’s office has also faced a separate controversy after LoBianco reported allegations that members of Beckwith’s staff viewed a sexually explicit AI deepfake of an Indiana lawmaker’s wife. Beckwith has denied that happened.
Meanwhile, pastors, staff, and families have continued leaving Life Church.
How is this allowed to happen? Who holds powerful church leaders accountable? What happens when sex, religion, politics, and power become tangled together? And how do we protect our children when the people we are supposed to trust are the ones raising serious concerns?
Tom has spent years digging, talking to people, finding records, and following this story wherever it leads.
Watch as Sarah and Tom break down what he has uncovered, what former members are saying, what is still unanswered, and why this story matters.
Please support Tom LoBianco and the incredibly important work being done at 24sight News.
