The lead pastor of a Central Indiana church, whose adult son’s arrest sent shockwaves through the politically-connected congregation, has returned to ministry, according to a statement from Life Church.
Nathan Peternel stepped away from the church for what was described, in the statement, as a “restorative season” after the October 2025 arrest of his son.
Jonathan Peternel, the pastor’s son, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of child exploitation and three counts of possession of child sex abuse material in February.
After the arrest, former congregants began alleging inappropriate interactions with Nathan Peternel, who regularly preached on the topic of sex, according to 24Sight News.
Then there was the discovery that Jonathan Peternel’s devices contained sexually explicit videos of his parents. The elder Peternel said his then-intoxicated son got copies of the videos without his parents’ knowledge or consent, according to an audio recording of a speech to congregants.
Life Church is affiliated with the Assemblies of God, which condemns pornography in all of its forms. Before his first sermon back, Nathan Peternel described the past few months as the “hardest season” he and his wife have ever experienced, according to Current Publishing. Nathan Peternel also thanked congregants for their support and encouragement during the July 5 sermon but did not directly mention his son’s arrest or the reason for his leave, Current Publishing reported.
Life Church did not respond to a request for an interview with Nathan Peternel or a request for comment from IndyStar before publication of this article.
“After a season of rest and renewal, Pastor Nathan [Peternel] and Christina [Peternel] are preparing to return to ministry, and we’re looking toward the first week of July as that time draws near,” reads the online statement from church leadership. “We’re grateful for this restorative season and for the ways the Lord has been strengthening them physically, spiritually and emotionally. As they step back into the life of our church, we invite you to do two things: keep them in prayer during this time of transition, and reach out with words of love and encouragement.”
Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith serves as a campus pastor for the church’s Noblesville location. Beckwith has described Nathan Peternel, as his “spiritual brother in arms” and the two share a podcast called “Jesus, Sex and Politics,” though new episodes haven’t been posted since September 2025. Beckwith himself has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Nathan Peternel or the arrest of his son.
Life Church, which has four locations, has become increasingly enmeshed within state government since Beckwith, who frequently intermixes his faith and politics, became lieutenant governor. Several church members have been hired to work in his state government office, and in 2025 Beckwith’s office inked a no-bid contract with a law firm closely associated with the church.
IndyStar reporters Ryan Murphy and Hayleigh Colombo contributed to this article.
Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @Jake_Allen19. Click here to get Hamilton County news sent straight to your inbox and subscribe to the IndyStar North newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Life Church pastor returns to ministry after son’s arrest
Reporting by Jake Allen, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Jake Allen, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
