Photo credit: Two by Twos. (2024, November 14). In Wikipedia.
A yearlong investigation by ABC News into the 2×2 Church, a secretive Christian sect, has brought to light alarming allegations of widespread child sexual abuse and coverups spanning more than 30 states.
The investigation included interviews with dozens of alleged victims who recounted abuse within the church, which is largely unknown to the general public despite its presence across the United States.
One prominent case involves Raymond Zwiefelhofer, a former tech CEO and elder in the 2×2 Church, who was convicted on 10 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material. In September, Zwiefelhofer, 61, was sentenced to 120 years in prison in Arizona.
Prosecutors said Zwiefelhofer was found in possession of 87 files containing exploitative and illegal content involving children under the age of 15. “The 10 charged files were a combination of photos and videos,” said Catherine Fu, a Maricopa Deputy County Attorney.
Zwiefelhofer, who maintained his innocence during sentencing, stated, “I’m not guilty. I would love to know how the jury found that I knowingly did this.” His attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
The 2×2 Church and Allegations of Abuse
The 2×2 Church operates differently from many religious groups. Ministers, known as “workers,” travel and live temporarily with members, conducting church services in private homes. These gatherings often include children, which some former members say creates vulnerabilities.
Cynthia Liles, a private investigator who has been investigating the 2×2 Church for years, described the abuse within the community as “systemic.” She claims to have notified the FBI of over 1,000 accounts of child sexual abuse and assault connected to the church.
“The 2×2 Church has a significant problem with child sexual abuse,” Liles said. “It’s systemic.”
Former members told ABC News that some church leaders were aware of the allegations but failed to report them to authorities. Instead, alleged abusers were quietly moved to other states, effectively avoiding accountability.
While the church lacks a centralized leadership structure, ABC News reached out to several overseers, the senior figures who manage regional groups. None admitted to knowledge of systemic abuse, and some denied that the problem exists.
FBI Investigation
In February, the FBI announced its investigation into the 2×2 Church and urged victims or those with information to come forward. “The FBI doesn’t stop at just an initial arrest. We will follow the evidence wherever it leads,” said Gene Kowel, the Special Agent in Charge of the case.
Kowel explained that the agency’s goal is to uncover patterns of abuse and dismantle networks of criminal activity. “Raymond Zwiefelhofer is one of most likely thousands,” Liles said. “We’re getting reports of child sex abuse and sex assault committed by the highest levels in leadership down to the regular members.”
Liles and others remain hopeful that more arrests and convictions will follow as the investigation continues.
About Two By Twos Church Movement
The Two by Twos, also known as “The Truth” or “The Way,” is a home-based Christian movement that emerged in Ireland in 1897. Founded by evangelist William Irvine, the church emphasizes an itinerant ministry model inspired by Matthew 10, where “worker” ministers travel in pairs to preach. The church has no official name or headquarters, with members referring to it as “The Truth” or “workers and friends,” while outsiders use terms like “Two by Twos” or “No-name Church.” Regular worship meetings take place in homes twice weekly, with annual regional conventions held for members. The group rejects the orthodox Christian Trinitarian doctrine, instead teaching that salvation requires both faith and “works,” which include acts of self-denial and adherence to modesty standards. The church does not engage in outreach or charity work and maintains a low public profile.
Doctrinal teachings are imparted orally by its unsalaried ministers, and the church avoids producing official publications or written doctrinal statements. Invitations to public gospel meetings and a hymnbook are among the few materials that outsiders may encounter. The church experienced rapid early growth but became less visible after the early 20th century, following internal conflicts that led to the expulsions of founders William Irvine and Edward Cooney. Over the past few decades, increased media coverage and internet exposure have brought greater scrutiny to the church’s practices and beliefs, including its claim to be a continuation of the 1st-century Christian church or a restoration movement from the late 19th century.
