The main pastor of The Journey Church in Fairfield, Illinois, Chet Snyder, is at the heart of a scandal recently revealed by the main Christian and regional media. Arrested in early September 2025, Snyder was the subject of multiple charges of sexual assault towards two young men, identified in court documents under the initials TS and HD, events dating back to 2016 until its indictment.
According to official files, the accusations include aggravated sexual abuse on a minor, supply of alcohol to a minor, and illegal constraint, alleged acts committed while he was both pastor and coach at the Community College frontier.
The community of Fairfield and that of The Journey Church have been strongly shaken, the case aroused reactions among members, authorities, and the specialized press, in particular on the governance and credibility of American Megachuchs.
Pastor Snyder, a local figure respected until then, was suspended from his duties during the continuation of the investigation and remains awaiting judgment. Church officials and university have confirmed its leave, ensuring their cooperation with the competent authorities.
This scandal highlights the impact of public judicial cases on pastoral bodies, stressing the importance of transparency and governance in the evangelical environment. The issues relate to the confidence of the faithful as well as to the reputation of local and national religious institutions.
The reactions to the case show the need to adapt the control and communication structures to preserve the integrity of pastoral leadership.
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