Jonathan Peternel, 24, son of Life Church pastor Nathan Peternel, was arrested on seven felony chiId s*x crime charges. Madison County Sheriff’s affidavit states over 200 files of ch!ld s*xual ab*se material were found in the Pendleton home, including sadomasochistic ab*se, intoxicated minors, and AI-generated n*de pregnant toddlers. A Snapchat tip via the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children triggered the probe. Explicit photos and videos of Jonathan’s parents in s*x acts were also on his phone with the illicit content. A National Guard Blackhawk mechanic, he pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bond.

The scandal hits Life Church, led by Nathan Peternel, where “family values” are preached. In 2021, he co-hosted a Jesus, S*x and Politics episode titled “Stopping S*xual Assault and S*x Traff!cking,” warning about minors sharing explicit images online—a grim irony now.

Nathan’s profile ties to MAGA activism via Turning Point USA (TPUSA), founded by Charlie Kirk. A key ally in Turning Point Faith, he mobilizes pastors against abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and “woke” education. He headlines TPUSA Pastors Summits, trains clergy to make pews polling places, and runs voter drives blending Scripture with GOP points. In 2024, TPUSA boosted his “biblical reckoning” push, linking Kirk’s machine to Midwest megachurches.

His partner is Micah Beckwith, Indiana’s GOP Lt. Gov. and Life Church Noblesville pastor. They co-host Jesus, S*x and Politics, rallying to “reclaim America for Christ.” Both trained at TPUSA events; Beckwith, a Turning Point Faith leader, got Kirk’s 2024 endorsement. They embody TPUSA’s use of evangelical fervor for electoral wins.

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