Top Staff Resigns, Replacement Pastor Quits at Indiana’s Life Church Amid Scandal

Maria Davis, the top assistant to Life Church’s lead pastor Nathan Peternel, is set to resign after two decades of service, according to an email obtained by 24sight News. One of the church’s four campus pastors, Josh Krampitz, has also announced his departure after a few months in the role. These resignations follow a series of leadership exits since the scandal involving Peternel’s son, Jonathan Peternel, who was arrested last year on child sex abuse charges and sentenced to six years in prison in February.

The scandal has deeply impacted Life Church, which is led by Nathan Peternel and Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith. Peternel’s son was discovered with videos of his parents having sex, a revelation that sparked widespread outrage. Peternel himself faced a suspension from the Assemblies of God and underwent four months of rehab. The church, which has operated four campuses in Indianapolis since 2020, has also doubled as Beckwith’s political operation, aiding his campaign for governor.

Since the scandal broke, dozens of families have left the church, and a number of leadership roles have been vacated. This includes four campus pastors, the head of youth and child ministry, the church’s accountant, and even Peternel’s own sister and brother-in-law. In a resignation message, they cited a belief that church leaders were obstructing Jesus from entering their lives, reflecting the deep internal divisions caused by the scandal.

Peternel assured church members in an email that the ministry and finances of Life Church would not be interrupted by Davis’s resignation. However, the ongoing departures have raised concerns among insiders about the church’s ability to sustain its four campuses. Beckwith recently launched a new medical clinic at the church, managed by two board members, and the church’s coffeeshop rebranded as “The Anchor Cafe” earlier this year. Neither the clinic nor the coffeeshop openly advertise their connection to the church.

The scandal has tested the resilience of a church that has long been intertwined with political influence. As the leadership continues to shift, the future of Life Church remains uncertain. The situation underscores the challenges faced by religious institutions when confronted with moral and legal crises, and the importance of accountability and transparency in maintaining trust within communities. As Proverbs 18:17 reminds us, “The first to present his case seems right, until another comes forward and interrogates him.”

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